Effects of prophylactic propylene glycol administration at calving on subclinical ketosis in Holstein dairy cows

Authors : Kemal Aksoy, Abdülkerim Deniz

Pages : 1-9

Doi:10.31797/vetbio.1374657

View : 135 | Download : 182

Publication Date : 2024-04-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Forty-four holstein dairy cows were randomly enrolled in the treatment group (group 1, n=19) or control group (group 2, n=25) at calving. Group 1 received prophylactic propylene glycol treatment (PPGT) (300 ml/cow, beginning at calving, total 3 days). The group 2 remained untreated. All animals were tested on blood and milk beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) at postpartum week 2 and 4 (PW2 and 4), body condition scores (BCS), average daily milk production (ADMP) and postpartum health disorders were monitored in 90 days in milk (90 DIM). The incidence of subclinical ketosis (SCK) was 8% and 4% in blood test (BHBA≥1.2 mmol/L) and by 12% and 24% in milk test (BHBA≥200 µmol/L) in group 2 at PW2 and PW4 respectively. SCK was not detected in group 1. The study cows lost BCS on postpartum days 30 and 60. ADMP was significantly different (P<0.05) between group 2 with SCK, without SCK and group 1. Mastitis, metritis and laminitis incidence were observed both in group 1 and 2, but clinical ketosis and culling rate were observed in group 2 only. Mastitis incidence was 32% and 10.5% in group 2 and group 1 respectively. Culling rate was 12% in group 2, no culling was observed in group 1. Conclusively, although there wasn’t a significant effect of PPGT on the averages of blood and milk BHBA at PW2 and 4, the observed SCK incidence, associated postpartum health disorders and ADMP loss in group 2 can require a selective PPGT in cows at risk for SCK.
Keywords : Betahidroksibütirik asit, holstein, propilen glikol, subklinik ketozis, süt verimi