title: Treatment with a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug after calving did not improve milk production, health, or reproduction parameters in pasture-grazed dairy cows.
abstract: Previous research results have indicated an increase in pregnancy rate in pasture-grazed cows treated with a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) 3 to 4 wk postcalving, when a high proportion of nucleated cells from within the uterus were polymorphonucleated; however, no effect on milk production was detected. It was hypothesized that this lack of effect on milk production was because the administration of the NSAID was too late after calving. The aims of the current study were to evaluate the timing of administering a propionic acid-derived NSAID (i.e., carprofen) on milk production, metabolic status, uterine health, and reproductive performance. Six-hundred and thirty-nine cows (134 primiparous and 505 multiparous) calving between July 4 and September 5, 2012, in 2 herds (herd 1: n=228; herd 2: n=411) were enrolled. Using a randomized block design, cows were allocated to 1 of 3 treatment groups as they calved: (1) no treatment (control; n=221), (2) NSAID administered on d 1, 3, and 5 postcalving (early; n=214), and (3) NSAID administered on d 19, 21, and 23 postcalving (late; n=204). Milk production and composition, and body condition were determined weekly. Blood was sampled at 4 time points (1 precalving and 3 postcalving) to determine the effects of treatment on indicators of metabolic health and energy status. Uterine health was determined by measuring the proportion of nucleated cells that were polymorphonucleated following cytobrush sampling of the uterus between d 13 to 24 and d 30 to 49 postcalving. Irrespective of timing of application, NSAID did not affect milk production, body weight, or body condition during early lactation. Treatment with an NSAID 19 to 23 d postcalving increased the proportion of cows submitted for breeding during the first 3 wk of the seasonal breeding program (control: 85%, early: 83%, and late: 92%), but did not affect conception or pregnancy rates. No detectable effect of treatment on uterine health or circulating metabolites and minerals existed, although cows in the early NSAID treatment group had marginally lower serum β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations (0.1 mmol/L) than the other groups between 2 and 26 d in milk. In conclusion, administration of this particular NSAID at either 1 or 3 wk after calving did not improve milk production, indicators of health, or reproductive performance.
authors.affiliation: DairyNZ Limited, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton, New Zealand 3240.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.affiliation: DairyNZ Limited, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton, New Zealand 3240.
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Priest
authors.affiliation: DairyNZ Limited, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton, New Zealand 3240.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: DairyNZ Limited, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton, New Zealand 3240.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.affiliation: Cognosco, Anexa Animal Health, PO Box 21, Morrinsville 3300, New Zealand.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McDougall
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland, Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital Campus, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: DairyNZ Limited, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton, New Zealand 3240.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: AgResearch, Hopkirk Research Institute, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand 4442.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heiser
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Loor
authors.affiliation: DairyNZ Limited, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton, New Zealand 3240. Electronic address: john.roche@dairynz.co.nz.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Roche
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D008892:Milk / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002227:Carbazoles; C007005:carprofen
keywords: health; nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug; reproduction; transition cow