Physiology and Pathology of the Peripartal Period in Dairy Animals

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2024) | Viewed by 9460

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Guest Editor
Institute of Animal Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
Interests: animal welfare; reproduction; cattle; stress physiology; behavioral physiology; precision livestock farming; heat stress; veterinary sciences; animal husbandry
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The peripartal period comprises the last 3 weeks of gestation to 3 weeks postpartum. This is the most critical period of dairy animals’ production cycle, as it determines the success or failure of the future productive and reproductive performance. Studying the physiological changes around parturition is of particular interest in studies involving dairy animals. In view of the changes that occur during the peripartum period and the increase in the incidence of diseases during this phase, it is essential to monitor the health of the herd by various methods (i.e., blood tests, precision livestock farming (PLF) monitoring systems), and to carry out any interventions if necessary. The purpose of the Special Issue is to bring together knowledge on the physiological changes that occur around the time of parturition. Since the peripartal period is extremely sensitive for both the mother and the offspring, husbandry and feeding technologies as well as careful veterinary supervision play a prominent role in the physiological phenomena taking place during this period, and thus in supporting animal health and production.

Increasing and sharing knowledge on the physiology and pathologies related to the approaching parturition and the early lactation period is of great importance, and thus I invite researchers to contribute original research papers, case studies, short reports, or reviews on the following topics based on their expertise: 1) diagnosis; 2) epidemiology and evolution; 3) immune response; 4) development of antimicrobials and vaccines; 5) obstetrics; 6) neonatology; 7) stress physiology; 8) lactation physiology; and 9) nutrition physiology. I hope that this Special Issue will further stimulate collaboration among researchers working in all aspects of this field of animal science.

Dr. Levente Kovács
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • peripartal period
  • parturition
  • transition period
  • calving
  • lambing
  • dystocia
  • veterinary assistance
  • NSAID treatment
  • physiology
  • pathology
  • stress
  • acute-phase proteins
  • negative energy balance
  • early lactation
  • milk fever
  • retained fetal membranes
  • puerperal metritis
  • ketosis
  • SARA

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 745 KiB  
Article
Postpartum Body Condition Score (BCS) and Lactation Stage (30 and 60 Days) Affecting Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) and Milk Quality of Najdi Sheep
by Abdulkareem M. Matar and Riyadh S. Aljummah
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(9), 552; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10090552 - 2 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1296
Abstract
Body condition scoring (BCS) can be used to assess the energy reserves of sheep during feeding, production, and weaning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of BCS after parturition in stages of lactation (30 and 60 days) on the [...] Read more.
Body condition scoring (BCS) can be used to assess the energy reserves of sheep during feeding, production, and weaning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of BCS after parturition in stages of lactation (30 and 60 days) on the milk quality of Najdi ewes. The ewes were milked in the morning after their lambs had been isolated. Milk composition and fatty acid profiles (FA) were analyzed at 30 and 60 days of lactation after assessment of the sheep’s body condition. The sheep were classified into the following body conditions: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0. Sheep milk contained significant (p < 0.05) levels of protein at a BCS of 3.5 and on day 60 of lactation. The ewes with a BCS of 2.5 had a high milk content (p < 0.05) of unsaturated fatty acids (USFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), oleic acid (OA), vaccenic acid (VA), and LA at day 60 of lactation. This result shows that the ewes with a BCS of 2.5 were able to produce high-quality milk, and 60 days of lactation was the preferred time for producing good milk and tasty and healthy dairy products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physiology and Pathology of the Peripartal Period in Dairy Animals)
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16 pages, 2763 KiB  
Article
Effect of Prepartum Magnesium Butyrate Supplementation on Rumination Time, Milk Yield and Composition, and Blood Parameters in Dairy Cows
by Hedvig Fébel, Joan Edwards, Ferenc Pajor, Viktor Jurkovich, Mikolt Bakony and Levente Kovács
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(4), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10040276 - 5 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2270
Abstract
Background: Magnesium butyrate (MgB) supplementation of dairy cows during the three-week close-up period was tested for its effects on blood energy analytes, rumination time, inflammation, and lactation performance. Methods: Daily milk yield was recorded and weekly milk samples collected for the first 70 [...] Read more.
Background: Magnesium butyrate (MgB) supplementation of dairy cows during the three-week close-up period was tested for its effects on blood energy analytes, rumination time, inflammation, and lactation performance. Methods: Daily milk yield was recorded and weekly milk samples collected for the first 70 days of lactation from MgB supplemented (MgB, n = 34), and unsupplemented (Control, n = 31) multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows. During a period from week 3 to week 10 postpartum, blood samples were taken and analyzed for various parameters, and ruminant activity was measured. Results: The MgB group yielded 25.2% more milk than the Control during week 1, and had increased milk fat and protein concentrations over a longer duration. Somatic cell counts (SCC) were decreased in the MgB group independent of days in milk. No differences were observed between groups in terms of plasma non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, or blood iCa levels. The MgB group had lower haptoglobin (Hp) levels during lactation relative to the Control group. Time spent ruminating increased after calving with MgB due to a shorter post calving rumination delay relative to the Control group. Conclusions: Prepartum MgB supplementation improved lactation performance without affecting blood energy analytes. The basis by which MgB also improved rumination activity remains to be determined, as DMI could not be assessed. As MgB lowered SCC and Hp concentrations, it is speculated that MgB may help minimize postpartum inflammatory processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physiology and Pathology of the Peripartal Period in Dairy Animals)
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Review

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18 pages, 1317 KiB  
Review
Uterine Disease in Dairy Cows: A Comprehensive Review Highlighting New Research Areas
by Zsóka Várhidi, György Csikó, Árpád Csaba Bajcsy and Viktor Jurkovich
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(2), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11020066 - 2 Feb 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3921
Abstract
Uterine disease is an intensely studied part of dairy cattle health management as it heavily affects many commercial dairy farms and has serious economic consequences. Forms of the disease, pathophysiology, pathogens involved and the effects of uterine disease on the health and performance [...] Read more.
Uterine disease is an intensely studied part of dairy cattle health management as it heavily affects many commercial dairy farms and has serious economic consequences. Forms of the disease, pathophysiology, pathogens involved and the effects of uterine disease on the health and performance of cows have already been well described by various authors. Lately, researchers’ attention has shifted towards the healthy microbiome of the uterus and the vagina to put emphasis on prevention rather than treatment. This aligns with the growing demand to reduce the use of antibiotics or—whenever possible—replace them with alternative treatment options in farm animal medicine. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the last 20 years of uterine disease research and highlights promising new areas for future studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physiology and Pathology of the Peripartal Period in Dairy Animals)
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