title: Effect of nutrient levels during the far-off period on postpartum productivity in dairy cows.
abstract: The present study aimed to determine the effects of differing nutrient levels during the far-off period on postpartum metabolism and milk production in lactating cows. Twenty-six multiparous cows were assigned to three dietary treatments in the far-off period: a low-energy diet (L, n = 9, 80% intake of the total digestible nutrients requirement), a moderate-energy diet (M, n = 8, 105%) and a high-energy diet (H, n = 9, 130%). During the close-up period, all cows were provided with 105% intake. After parturition, all cows were fed a lactation diet. The BCS recovery was slow, and low milk yield was found in the H group. In the L group, BCS recovery was favorable after parturition, and lactation persistence was increased. The L group had low rumen endotoxin activity and a high initial ovulation rate after parturition. These findings indicate that a high-energy diet during the far-off period has a deleterious effect on milk production. In contrast, the restricted diet in the far-off period increased adaptability with respect to peri-parturition metabolic changes, improved the post-parturition nutritional state, and increased milk production. Furthermore, it suggests that the nutrient levels in the far-off period affect rumen endotoxin activity and reproductive function after parturition.
authors.affiliation: Gunma Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan.|Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Haruhi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hirabayashi
authors.affiliation: Chiba Prefectural Livestock Research Center, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawashima
authors.affiliation: Toyama Prefectural Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Research Center, Toyama, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okimura
authors.affiliation: Tochigi Livestock and Dairy Research Center, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Ayane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tateno
authors.affiliation: The National Federation of Dairy Cooperative Associations (ZENRAKUREN), Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Akitsu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Sadaki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asakuma
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Faculty of Applied Biological Science, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Isobe
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Faculty of Applied Biological Science, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Taketo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Obitsu
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Ibaraki, Japan.|Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kushibiki
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Faculty of Applied Biological Science, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshihisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugino
mesh_terms: D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000378:metabolism; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation; D010060:Ovulation; D036801:Parturition / Q000502:physiology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins
keywords: dairy cow; far-off period; nutrient levels