Evaluation of β-hydroxybutyrate, calcium, and non-esterified fatty acids at day one postpartum in predicting the risk of diseases in dairy cows

Abstract

In this study, the usability of calving type, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and calcium (Ca) concentrations in predicting postpartum diseases was examined. For this purpose, 120 Holstein cows were used in the study. These cows were divided into two subgroups according to the calving type: unassisted parturition (eutocic, n = 58) and assisted parturition (dystocia, n = 62). Cows were followed for 15 days postpartum. Diseases of retained foetal membranes (RFM), metritis, and clinical mastitis that developed in the postpartum period were recorded. Then, NEFA, BHB, and Ca concentrations were measured in blood samples collected at parturition from cows with RFM (n = 19), metritis (n = 34), clinical mastitis (n = 20) and cows that did not develop the disease (n = 47). Our results show the decreased Ca concentration to be positively associated with the risk of mastitis (P < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] 4.599), metritis (P = 0.008, OR 4.286), and RFM (P < 0.001, OR 5.016); and increased BHB concentration to be positively associated with the risk of metritis (P = 0.002, OR 4.069) and RFM (P < 0.001, OR 9.498). The results of the study indicated that low Ca and high BHB concentration at parturition could negatively affect the productive efficiency of dairy cows.