Concentrations of blood constituents in genetically high and low milk-production lines of British Friesian and Jersey cattle around calving and in early lactation

Abstract

ABSTRACTDifferences between Friesians and Jerseys and between progeny of high and low contemporary comparison (CC) sires were sought by examining nine blood constituent concentrations around first and second calvings and during lactation. A total of 1359 samples from animals at first lactation and 1148 samples at second lactation were collected. All animals were individually fed a complete pelleted dietad libitum. Blood constituents analysed were free fatty acids (FFA), ketones, glucose, calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, albumin and globulin. All nine constituents showed marked changes around parturition and early lactation and several constituents showed changes with age. Jerseys had higher average copper and albumin levels and lower globulin levels than Friesians at both lactations and higher FFA concentrations at second lactation. Changes in plasma concentrations of FFA, ketones and glucose around calving were consistent in suggesting that Jerseys and progeny of high CC sires had a substantially greater energy deficit in early lactation than Friesians and progeny of low CC sires at the first but not the second lactation. Predicted requirementsv. recorded intakes suggested that the Jerseys and high CC progeny had the greater energy deficit at both lactations. Although the incidence of hypocalcaemia was nearly zero, changes of calcium and magnesium concentrations were consistent with reports of Jerseys being more susceptible to hypocalcaemia in later life.Despite large differences in milk yield, differences in plasma concentrations between animals classified as either high or low achieved yielders within their genetic class were generally smaller than differences between progeny of high and low CC sires.