Figure 1.
Development of (A) dry matter intake (DMI), (B) net energy balance, (C) body condition score (BCS) and (D) energy corrected milk yield (ECM) in the course of the experiment. Cows were categorized in high BCS (BCSH) and low BCS (BCSL). After parturition, these two groups were divided again, each into a group with a concentrate proportion of 60% (C60) in the ration (increasing from 35–60% during the first three weeks after calving) and a group with a concentrate proportion of 35% (C35) in the ration. Thus, four groups emerged: BCSH/C60 (n = 15; ○), BCSH/C35 (n = 15; ■), BCSL/C60 (n = 15; ○), BCSL/C35 (n = 15; ■), BCS, DMI and NEB were analyzed with first measured value before calving as covariate, ECM was analyzed with first measured value from week 1 as covariate, (A) p-values: BCS = 0.761, C = 0.069, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.836, BCS × period = 0.232, C × period = 0.042, BCS × C × period = 0.295; (B) p-values: BCS = 0.540, C < 0.001, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.985, BCS × period = 0.639, C × period < 0.001, BCS × C × period = 0.020; (C) p-values: BCS = 0.004, C = 0.252, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.998, BCS × period = 0.011. C × period = 0.182, BCS × C × period = 0.030; (D) p-values: BCS = 0.679, C = 0.579, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.217, BCS × period = 0.003, C × period = 0.043, BCS × C × period = 0.150.
Figure 1.
Development of (A) dry matter intake (DMI), (B) net energy balance, (C) body condition score (BCS) and (D) energy corrected milk yield (ECM) in the course of the experiment. Cows were categorized in high BCS (BCSH) and low BCS (BCSL). After parturition, these two groups were divided again, each into a group with a concentrate proportion of 60% (C60) in the ration (increasing from 35–60% during the first three weeks after calving) and a group with a concentrate proportion of 35% (C35) in the ration. Thus, four groups emerged: BCSH/C60 (n = 15; ○), BCSH/C35 (n = 15; ■), BCSL/C60 (n = 15; ○), BCSL/C35 (n = 15; ■), BCS, DMI and NEB were analyzed with first measured value before calving as covariate, ECM was analyzed with first measured value from week 1 as covariate, (A) p-values: BCS = 0.761, C = 0.069, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.836, BCS × period = 0.232, C × period = 0.042, BCS × C × period = 0.295; (B) p-values: BCS = 0.540, C < 0.001, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.985, BCS × period = 0.639, C × period < 0.001, BCS × C × period = 0.020; (C) p-values: BCS = 0.004, C = 0.252, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.998, BCS × period = 0.011. C × period = 0.182, BCS × C × period = 0.030; (D) p-values: BCS = 0.679, C = 0.579, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.217, BCS × period = 0.003, C × period = 0.043, BCS × C × period = 0.150.
Figure 2.
Mobilization of the single adipose tissues and the sum of the (A) omental (OAT), (B) retroperitoneal (RAT), (C) subcutaneous (SAT), (D) mesenteric (MAT), (E) adipose tissues, negative values represent accretion of adipose tissue, positive values describe mobilization, LSMeans) of the experimental groups during the three periods, period 1: weeks 1–4 postpartum, period 2: weeks 5–10 postpartum, period 3: weeks 11–17 postpartum); as well as the (F) correlation of mobilized energy from adipose tissues and energy balance for each individual cow in period 1 (correlation coefficient = −0.4634, p < 0.05). Cows were categorized in high BCS (BCSH) and low BCS (BCSL). After parturition, these two groups were divided again, each into a group with a concentrate proportion of 60% (C60) in the ration (increasing from 35–60% during the first three weeks after calving) and a group with a concentrate proportion of 35% (C35) in the ration. Thus, four groups emerged: BCSH/C60 (n = 15; A–E orange striped bars, F ○) BCSH/C35 (n = 14; A–E orange bars, F ■), BCSL/C60 (n = 15; A–E blue striped bars, F ○), BCSL/C35 (n = 15; A–E blue bars, F ■). Error bars indicate SEM. Mixed models are analyzed with first measured value before calving as covariate, (A) p-values: BCS = 0.216, C = 0.213, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.536, BCS × period = 0.734, C × period = 0.953, BCS × C × period = 0.382; (B) p-values: BCS = 0.428, C = 0.381, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.648, BCS × period = 0.089, C × period = 0.526, BCS × C × period = 0.382; (C) p-values: BCS = 0.740, C = 0.250, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.549, BCS × period = 0.002, C × period = 0.788, BCS × C × period = 0.244; (D) p-values: BCS = 0.703, C = 0.163, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.034, BCS × period = 0.480, C × period = 0.366, BCS × C × period = 0.065; (E) p-values: BCS = 0.984, C = 0.138, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.311, BCS × period = 0.087, C × period = 0.595, BCS × C × period = 0.232.
Figure 2.
Mobilization of the single adipose tissues and the sum of the (A) omental (OAT), (B) retroperitoneal (RAT), (C) subcutaneous (SAT), (D) mesenteric (MAT), (E) adipose tissues, negative values represent accretion of adipose tissue, positive values describe mobilization, LSMeans) of the experimental groups during the three periods, period 1: weeks 1–4 postpartum, period 2: weeks 5–10 postpartum, period 3: weeks 11–17 postpartum); as well as the (F) correlation of mobilized energy from adipose tissues and energy balance for each individual cow in period 1 (correlation coefficient = −0.4634, p < 0.05). Cows were categorized in high BCS (BCSH) and low BCS (BCSL). After parturition, these two groups were divided again, each into a group with a concentrate proportion of 60% (C60) in the ration (increasing from 35–60% during the first three weeks after calving) and a group with a concentrate proportion of 35% (C35) in the ration. Thus, four groups emerged: BCSH/C60 (n = 15; A–E orange striped bars, F ○) BCSH/C35 (n = 14; A–E orange bars, F ■), BCSL/C60 (n = 15; A–E blue striped bars, F ○), BCSL/C35 (n = 15; A–E blue bars, F ■). Error bars indicate SEM. Mixed models are analyzed with first measured value before calving as covariate, (A) p-values: BCS = 0.216, C = 0.213, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.536, BCS × period = 0.734, C × period = 0.953, BCS × C × period = 0.382; (B) p-values: BCS = 0.428, C = 0.381, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.648, BCS × period = 0.089, C × period = 0.526, BCS × C × period = 0.382; (C) p-values: BCS = 0.740, C = 0.250, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.549, BCS × period = 0.002, C × period = 0.788, BCS × C × period = 0.244; (D) p-values: BCS = 0.703, C = 0.163, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.034, BCS × period = 0.480, C × period = 0.366, BCS × C × period = 0.065; (E) p-values: BCS = 0.984, C = 0.138, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.311, BCS × period = 0.087, C × period = 0.595, BCS × C × period = 0.232.
Figure 3.
Concentration of (A) β-hydroxybutyrat (BHB) and (B) non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in blood serum (LSM) from d 42 antepartum until d 120 postpartum. Statistical analysis starts at calving (period 1: weeks 1–4 postpartum, period 2: weeks 5–10 postpartum, period 3: weeks 11–17 postpartum). Cows were categorized in high BCS (BCSH) and low BCS (BCSL). After parturition, these two groups were divided again, each into a group with a concentrate proportion of 60% (C60) in the ration (increasing from 35–60% during the first three weeks after calving) and a group with a concentrate proportion of 35% (C35) in the ration. Thus, four groups emerged: BCSH/C60 (n = 15; ○), BCSH/C35 (n = 15; ■), BCSL/C60 (n = 15; ○), BCSL/C35 (n = 15; ■), Parameters are analyzed with first measured value before calving as covariate, (A) p-values: BCS = 0.747, C = 0.346, period = 0.906, BCS × C = 0.621, BCS × period = 0.272, C × period = 0.762, BCS × C × period = 0.422; (B) p-values: BCS = 0.877, C = 0.208, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.909, BCS × period = 0.557, C × period = 0.131, BCS × C × period = 0.069.
Figure 3.
Concentration of (A) β-hydroxybutyrat (BHB) and (B) non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in blood serum (LSM) from d 42 antepartum until d 120 postpartum. Statistical analysis starts at calving (period 1: weeks 1–4 postpartum, period 2: weeks 5–10 postpartum, period 3: weeks 11–17 postpartum). Cows were categorized in high BCS (BCSH) and low BCS (BCSL). After parturition, these two groups were divided again, each into a group with a concentrate proportion of 60% (C60) in the ration (increasing from 35–60% during the first three weeks after calving) and a group with a concentrate proportion of 35% (C35) in the ration. Thus, four groups emerged: BCSH/C60 (n = 15; ○), BCSH/C35 (n = 15; ■), BCSL/C60 (n = 15; ○), BCSL/C35 (n = 15; ■), Parameters are analyzed with first measured value before calving as covariate, (A) p-values: BCS = 0.747, C = 0.346, period = 0.906, BCS × C = 0.621, BCS × period = 0.272, C × period = 0.762, BCS × C × period = 0.422; (B) p-values: BCS = 0.877, C = 0.208, period < 0.001, BCS × C = 0.909, BCS × period = 0.557, C × period = 0.131, BCS × C × period = 0.069.
Table 1.
Composition of concentrates during the dry and the lactating periods.
Table 1.
Composition of concentrates during the dry and the lactating periods.
Components, g/kg of Fresh Matter | Concentrates |
---|
Dry Period | C35 | C60 |
---|
Soybean meal | 115 | | |
Rapeseed meal | 150 | 400 | 200 |
Wheat | 330 | 150 | 213 |
Barley | | 144 | 213 |
Maize | | 200 | 290 |
Dried sugar beet pulp | 296 | 50 | 50 |
Urea | 30 | 8 | |
Calcium carbonate | 24 | 13 | 12 |
Soybean oil | 15 | 10 | 10 |
Vitamin-mineral premix + | 40 | | |
Vitamin-mineral premix # | | 25 | 12 |
Table 2.
Chemical components of concentrates and roughage during the experimental period from day 42 antepartum until day 120 postpartum.
Table 2.
Chemical components of concentrates and roughage during the experimental period from day 42 antepartum until day 120 postpartum.
Chemical Composition | Concentrates | Roughage |
---|
Dry Period | C35 * | C60 # | Maize Silage | Grass Silage |
---|
Dry matter, g/kg | 890 | 878 | 878 | 361 | 306 |
Nutrients, g/kg DM § | | | | | |
Crude ash | 90 | 76 | 55 | 40 | 94 |
Crude protein | 277 | 239 | 170 | 82 | 127 |
Ether extract | 42 | 48 | 48 | 32 | 33 |
Crude fiber | 94 | 85 | 66 | 203 | 273 |
a†Neutral detergent fiberom ‖ | 207 | 208 | 178 | 401 | 526 |
Acid detergent fiberom ‖ | 125 | 125 | 96 | 230 | 297 |
Starch content | 310 | 368 | 490 | 331 | 0 |
Energy ‡, MJ/kg of DM | | | | | |
ME | 11.9 | 12.3 | 12.8 | 10.8 | 10.4 |
NEL | 7.4 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 6.5 | 6.2 |
Table 3.
Effects of body condition, concentrate proportion in the diet (C) and period on dry matter intake (DMI), energy intake and live weight (LSM) during period 1 (weeks 1–4 postpartum), period 2 (weeks 5–10 postpartum) and period 3 (weeks 11–17 postpartum) in the treatment groups.
Table 3.
Effects of body condition, concentrate proportion in the diet (C) and period on dry matter intake (DMI), energy intake and live weight (LSM) during period 1 (weeks 1–4 postpartum), period 2 (weeks 5–10 postpartum) and period 3 (weeks 11–17 postpartum) in the treatment groups.
Item + | Treatment § | SEM # | p-Value * |
---|
BCSH/C60 n = 15 | BCSH/C35 n = 15 | BCSL/C60 n = 15 | BCSL/C35 n = 15 | | BCS | C | BCS × C | BCS × Period | C × Period | BCS × C × Period |
---|
DMI | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period 1 | 19.4 | 17.7 | 18.6 | 18.0 | 0.6 | 0.761 | 0.069 | 0.836 | 0.232 | 0.042 | 0.295 |
Period 2 | 24.3 | 22.6 | 24.4 | 22.9 | | | | | | | |
Period 3 | 23.4 | 23.3 | 24.3 | 23.6 | | | | | | | |
Energy intake, MJ of NEL/day | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period 1 | 143 | 124 | 131 | 128 | 4 | 0.949 | <0.001 | 0.252 | 0.144 | 0.001 | 0.069 |
Period 2 | 182 | 157 | 179 | 163 | | | | | | | |
Period 3 | 175 | 163 | 177 | 166 | | | | | | | |
Live weight, kg | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period 1 | 706 | 663 | 701 | 673 | 14 | 0.865 | 0.069 | 0.726 | 0.800 | 0.018 | 0.225 |
Period 2 | 694 | 662 | 688 | 670 | | | | | | | |
Period 3 | 699 | 677 | 703 | 682 | | | | | | | |
Table 4.
Effects of body condition, concentrate proportion in the diet (C) and period on milk parameters (LSM) during period 1 (weeks 1–4 postpartum), period 2 (weeks 5–10 postpartum) and period 3 (weeks 11–17 postpartum) in the treatment groups.
Table 4.
Effects of body condition, concentrate proportion in the diet (C) and period on milk parameters (LSM) during period 1 (weeks 1–4 postpartum), period 2 (weeks 5–10 postpartum) and period 3 (weeks 11–17 postpartum) in the treatment groups.
Item + | Treatment § | SEM # |
---|
BCSH/C60 n = 15 | BCSH/C35 n = 15 | BCSL/C60 n = 15 | BCSL/C35 n = 15 | |
---|
Milk yield, kg/day | | | | | |
Period 1 | 32.8 | 32.2 | 32.1 | 33.8 | 1.1 |
Period 2 | 42.4 | 38.9 | 41.8 | 42.4 | |
Period 3 | 41.2 | 37.6 | 42.1 | 40.9 | |
Milk fat content, % | | | | | |
Period 1 | 4.68 | 4.94 | 4.33 | 4.52 | 0.15 |
Period 2 | 3.23 | 3.79 | 3.19 | 3.83 | |
Period 3 | 3.26 | 3.58 | 3.06 | 3.73 | |
Milk fat yield, kg/day | | | | | |
Period 1 | 1.62 | 1.63 | 1.49 | 1.61 | 0.06 |
Period 2 | 1.37 | 1.54 | 1.30 | 1.57 | |
Period 3 | 1.34 | 1.41 | 1.26 | 1.49 | |
Milk protein content, % | | | | | |
Period 1 | 3.49 | 3.35 | 3.39 | 3.37 | 0.05 |
Period 2 | 3.23 | 3.18 | 3.24 | 3.15 | |
Period 3 | 3.30 | 3.27 | 3.24 | 3.27 | |
Milk protein yield, kg/day | | | | | |
Period 1 | 1.21 | 1.14 | 1.18 | 1.20 | 0.03 |
Period 2 | 1.37 | 1.27 | 1.34 | 1.31 | |
Period 3 | 1.34 | 1.26 | 1.37 | 1.32 | |
Milk lactose content, % | | | | | |
Period 1 | 4.77 c,A | 4.58 c,B | 4.72 c,AB | 4.75 c,AB | 0.03 |
Period 2 | 4.88 b | 4.85 b | 4.80 b | 4.83 b | |
Period 3 | 4.91 a | 4.90 a | 4.87 a | 4.85 a | |
Milk lactose yield, kg/day | | | | | |
Period 1 | 1.67 b | 1.60 b | 1.64 b | 1.71 b | 0.05 |
Period 2 | 2.07 a | 1.88 a | 2.01 a | 2.01 a | |
Period 3 | 2.01 a | 1.89 a | 2.06 a | 1.96 a | |
Milk fat:protein ratio | | | | | |
Period 1 | 1.35 | 1.43 | 1.25 | 1.31 | 0.04 |
Period 2 | 1.03 | 1.23 | 0.95 | 1.18 | |
Period 3 | 1.02 | 1.14 | 0.91 | 1.11 | |
Milk energy concentration, MJ/kg | | | | | |
Period 1 | 3.65 a | 3.74 a | 3.48 a | 3.51 a | 0.06 |
Period 2 | 2.98 b,AB | 3.23 b,A | 2.88 b,B | 3.14 b,AB | |
Period 3 | 3.01 b,AB | 3.16 b,A | 2.84 b,B | 3.13 b,AB | |
Milk energy output, MJ/day | | | | | |
Period 1 | 124.3 | 125.7 | 118.1 | 122.9 | 3.6 |
Period 2 | 131.7 | 129.4 | 125.7 | 133.9 | |
Period 3 | 128.0 | 122.0 | 125.4 | 129.3 | |
4% FCM, kg/day | | | | | |
Period 1 | 37.5 | 38.4 | 35.3 | 37.0 | 1.2 |
Period 2 | 38.4 | 38.8 | 36.3 | 39.9 | |
Period 3 | 37.3 | 36.1 | 36.0 | 38.1 | |
Table 5.
p-values of effects of body condition, concentrate proportion in the diet (C), period and interactions between them on milk parameters.
Table 5.
p-values of effects of body condition, concentrate proportion in the diet (C), period and interactions between them on milk parameters.
Item + | p-Value * |
---|
BCS | C | BCS × C | BCS × Period | C × Period | BCS × C × Period |
---|
Milk yield, kg/day | 0.205 | 0.302 | 0.181 | 0.026 | <0.001 | 0.229 |
Milk fat content, % | 0.362 | 0.002 | 0.655 | <0.001 | <0.001 | 0.059 |
Milk fat yield, kg/day | 0.580 | 0.013 | 0.296 | 0.165 | 0.001 | 0.738 |
Milk protein content, % | 0.574 | 0.290 | 0.631 | 0.777 | 0.019 | 0.091 |
Milk protein yield, kg/day | 0.480 | 0.069 | 0.267 | 0.129 | 0.083 | 0.320 |
Milk lactose content, % | 0.642 | 0.244 | 0.083 | 0.010 | 0.107 | 0.013 |
Milk lactose yield, kg/day | 0.372 | 0.187 | 0.268 | 0.533 | 0.006 | 0.005 |
Milk fat:protein ratio | 0.05 | 0.001 | 0.749 | 0.211 | <0.001 | 0.163 |
Milk energy concentration, MJ/kg | 0.035 | 0.004 | 0.881 | 0.022 | <0.001 | 0.018 |
Milk energy output, MJ/day | 0.780 | 0.633 | 0.245 | 0.003 | 0.040 | 0.192 |
4% FCM, kg/day | 0.566 | 0.278 | 0.288 | 0.009 | 0.046 | 0.169 |
Table 6.
Effect of body condition, C (Concentrate proportion in the diet) and period on change of back fat thickness and rib fat thickness (LSM) during period 1 (weeks 1–4 postpartum), period 2 (weeks 5–10 postpartum) and period 3 (weeks 11–17 postpartum) in the treatment groups. Negative values represent accretion of adipose tissue, positive values describe mobilization.
Table 6.
Effect of body condition, C (Concentrate proportion in the diet) and period on change of back fat thickness and rib fat thickness (LSM) during period 1 (weeks 1–4 postpartum), period 2 (weeks 5–10 postpartum) and period 3 (weeks 11–17 postpartum) in the treatment groups. Negative values represent accretion of adipose tissue, positive values describe mobilization.
Item + | Treatment § | SEM # | p-Value * |
---|
BCSH/C60 n = 15 | BCSH/C35 n = 14 | BCSL/C60 n = 15 | BCSL/C35 n = 15 | | BCS | C | BCS × C | BCS × Period | C × Period | BCS × C × Period |
---|
Back fat thickness, cm/day | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period 1 | 0.14 | 0.15 | 0.07 | 0.10 | 0.02 | 0.750 | 0.384 | 0.563 | 0.003 | 0.549 | 0.819 |
Period 2 | −0.02 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.02 | | | | | | |
Period 3 | −0.01 | −0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.02 | | | | | | |
Rib fat thickness, cm/day | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period 1 | 0.04 | 0.07 | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.03 | 0.136 | 0.567 | 0.881 | 0.903 | 0.809 | 0.827 |
Period 2 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.04 | 0.03 | | | | | | |
Period 3 | −0.05 | −0.05 | −0.02 | −0.02 | 0.03 | | | | | | |