Negative Energy Balance in Periparturient Dairy Cows Raised in Small-Holder Farms in Kamphaengsaen District, Nakhon Pathom Province

Abstract

Negative energy balance was studied in 45 periparturient dairy cows from 15 small-holder farms in Kamphaengsaen District, Nakhon Pathom Province. Blood samples were collected at 1 week prepartum and 2 and 4 weeks postpartum for evaluation of negative energy balance and to study the relationship between concentrations of serum non-esterified fatty acid, serum glucose and body condition score. The results revealed that there were no significant differences in concentrations of non-esterified fatty acid at 1 week prepartum and 2 and 4 weeks postpartum. The concentrations of serum glucose and body condition score were significantly decreased after parturition. The changes of body condition score between 1 week prepartum and 2 weeks postpartum (r = 0.475) or between 1 week prepartum and 4 weeks postpartum (r = 0.364) were positively correlated with serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acid at 2 weeks postpartum. In conclusion, periparturient dairy cows of small-holder farms in Kamphaengsaen District, Nakhon Pathom Province had some degrees of negative energy balance as observed by decreased serum glucose concentration and decreased body condition score. The results of this study would be useful for small-scale herd management to prevent periparturient negative energy balance problems and its consequences.