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The use of hepato-protectors during the transition period to manage hyperketonemia in dairy cows
Anastia Lisuzzo, Alessio Valenza, Andrea Biancucci, Alex Bach, Damien Achard, Matteo Gianesella & Enrico Fiore
Publication information
European Buiatrics Congress 2025
Objectives
Hyperketonemia (increased blood level of β-hydroxybutyrate or BHB) is a major metabolic disease in dairy cows negatively affecting animals’ health. A proper functioning of the energy metabolism (gluconeogenesis and Krebs-cycle) is essential to reduce the risk of hyperketonemia during post-partum period. For these reasons, hepato-protectors composed by precursors of energy metabolism pathways (as propionate, gluconeogenic amino acids (AA), vitamins and co-factors) are usually used in dairy cows during the transition period. A field study was performed to better characterize the efficacy of hepato-protectors to reduce the risk of hyperketonemia in dairy cows.
Materials and Methods
Animal care and procedures received ethical approval (n.204359/2023). A total of 445 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were enrolled at the begging of the dry period, and randomly and equally divided into three groups: CTR (control without treatment); BOGERB (treated with Bograss® and Erbacolina PLUS®, CEVA Animal Health); MON (treated with monensin, Kexxtone). The BOG-ERB received 2 ml of Bograss®/10 kg BW, and 70 mL/animal/treatment of Erbacolina PLUS® at 12d before calving and 6d after calving; while the MON received 35.2 g/animal of monensin at 21d before calving. Blood sampling was performed at -21 and -7d before calving, at the day of calving, and at +7, +14, +28, and +55d after calving. All animals were evaluated for NEFA and BHB levels, while a complete biochemical analysis was performed for 45 animal per group (30 luriparous, and 15 primiparous). Differences in biochemical parameters were assessed with a linear mixed-effects model. A post hoc pairwise comparison was performed using Bonferroni correction. A logistic regression analysis was performed using blood BHB values (healthy, BHB<1.2 mmol/L; hyperketonemia, BHB≥1.2 mmol/L). The model considered the risk factors of treatment, time, parity, and season. A p-value<0.0532 was considered significant, whereas a 0.05≤p-value≤0.10 was considered a trend.
Results
Hyperketonemia prevalence in BOG-ERB group was between 2.9% to 11.1% during the post-partum period. In contrast, the prevalence was 6.1% to 24.1% in CTR, and was 5.3% to 16% in MON. In fact, the logistic regression identified for BOG-ERB an OR of 0.43 (CI: 0.3 to 0.8) compared to the CTR, and of 0.44 (CI: 0.1 to 0.8) compared to MON. The BOG-ERB cows showed the lower risk of hyperketonemia during the post-partum period considering a lowest level of NEFA from +7d to +28d, and BHB from +14d to +55d. Moreover, the CTR incurred in hypoglycemia at +7d. Regarding the liver, the AST and GGT concentrations were lowest in BOG-ERB from calving until the end of the study. The album in level was greatest in BOG-ERB from +14d to +55d in association with the lowest level of urea. Serum ALP concentration was greatest in BOG-ERB from -7d before calving to +55d associated with greater level of Ca up to +14d. Furthermore, serum Cl and Na were greater in the same group around calving. Regarding cows’ performances, the BOGERB had the greatest pregnancy/artificial insemination (BOG-ERB: 55.7; CTR: 49.8; MON: 49.9), and a greater milk production compared to CTR group without differences with MON group (BOG-ERB: 43±0.5 Kg/day; CTR: 42±0.5 Kg/day; MON: 43.5±0.5 Kg/day). Finally, the MON group produced more milk during the first 150 DIM, while the BOG-ERB produced more milk after 210 DIM.
Conclusions
Supporting animal metabolism through the use of hepato-protectors decreases lipomobilization, metabolic stress, and protein catabolism. This condition reduces the risk and prevalence of hyperketonemia during the post-partum period with greater reproductive performances and a more constant milk production the same group around calving. Regarding cows’ performances, the BOGERB had the greatest pregnancy/artificial insemination (BOG-ERB: 55.7; CTR: 49.8; MON: 49.9), and a greater milk production compared to CTR group without differences with MON group (BOG-ERB: 43±0.5 Kg/day; CTR: 42±0.5 Kg/day; MON: 43.5±0.5 Kg/day). Finally, the MON group produced more milk during the first 150 DIM, while the BOG-ERB produced more milk after 210 DIM.
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