Metabolic profiling of dairy cattle during transition period: A review

Abstract

The periparturient period in dairy cows is generally defined as the period from last three weeks of gestation to first three weeks after parturition and is considered as most important period for the subsequent lactation performances, due to the fact that as during this period, dairy cattle are at a high risk for most of the metabolic diseases, which is characterized by changes in their endocrine status and a reduction in feed intake when nutrient demand for the developing fetus and for the initiation of lactogenesis is increasing. Metabolic profiling is defined as the series of specific analytic tests run in combination and used as a herd based rather than individual based. Using metabolic profiling references ranges can be established for various parameters (Hb, PCV, TEC, TLC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, protein, albumin, BUN, creatinine, glucose, Ca, Mg, Pi, Na, K, Cu, Fe and Zn) which can act as a guide in the future for the advance diagnosis, prediction and management of various metabolic diseases.