Differences in severity of reticulo-rumen pH drop in primiparous Holstein cows fed the same diet during transition and early lactation: effects on performance, energy balance, blood metabolites, and reproduction.

ABSTRACT: We recently reported factors leading to different severity of ruminal pH drop in primiparous cows fed the same diet during transition and early lactation. The present study evaluates the effects of those severities on performance and several blood and balance parameters in the same 24 primiparous cows from 3 wk before calving until week 10 in lactation. The dietary concentrate was increased for all cows from 32 before calving to 60% dry matter (DM) basis over the first week in lactation, resulting in a diet with 40% non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), and 14.4% physically effective fiber [peNDF > 8]. Ruminal pH was monitored with indwelling systems in all cows during the study; then several indices of duration and magnitude of pH change were used as indicators of the severity of ruminal pH drop

SUBMITTER: Castillo-Lopez E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11757701 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature