Susceptibility of dairy cows to subacute ruminal acidosis is reflected in both prepartum and postpartum bacteria as well as odd- and branched-chain fatty acids in feces.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The transition period is a challenging period for high-producing dairy cattle. Cows in early lactation are considered as a group at risk of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). Variability in SARA susceptibility in early lactation is hypothesized to be reflected in fecal characteristics such as fecal pH, dry matter content, volatile and odd- and branched-chain fatty acids (VFA and OBCFA, respectively), as well as fecal microbiota. This was investigated with 38 periparturient dairy cows, which were classified into four groups differing in median and mean time of reticular pH below 6 as well as area under the curve of pH below 6. Furthermore, we investigated whether fecal differences were already obvious during a period prior to the SARA risk (prepartum).

Results

Varia

SUBMITTER: Yang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9533591 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature