Pre-calving energy density and rumen protected lysine impacted blood metabolites and biomarkers of liver functions in dairy cows during the transition period.

Abstract

Abstract Dairy cow usual faces negative energy balance and disorder of normal organs function due to mismatch between energy intake and energy demands. Negative energy balance directly affects liver function and blood metabolites because of liver used as source of energy supply and center of metabolic activity. The study aimed to determine the effect of pre-calving energy density and rumen-protected lysine on blood metabolites and biomarkers of liver functions in dairy cows during the transition period. Forty 3rd lactation Holstein cows were randomly allocated to one of the four dietary treatments (High energy with rumen-protected lysine (HERPL) = 1.53NEL plus 40 g Lys, High energy without lysine (HECK) = 1.53NEL, Low energy with rumen-protected lysine (LERPL) = 1.37NEL plus 40 g Lys, and Low energy without lysine (LECK) = 1.37NEL arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Blood samples were collected during the transition period and concentrations of blood metabolites and biomarkers of liver functions were measured. Interaction between pre-calving high energy diet and RPL tended to increase plasma albumin, numerically increased glucose, decreased TG, total bilirubin and AST concentrations. The result revealed that pre-calving high energy diet increased insulin, albumin and decreased blood urea nitrogen and total bilirubin concentrations and substantial favor liver functions during the transition period.