The relationship of body condition and chewing time with body weight, the level of plasma cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript, leptin and energy metabolites in cows until reaching the lactation peak

Abstract

This study examined the relationship of body condition and chewing time (CT) with body weight (BW), the level of cocaine-and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), leptin and energy metabolites in cows until reaching the lactation peak. The results showed the greatest loss of BW between days 11 and 45 of lactation and a decrease in the body condition score (BCS) until day 75. Chewing time showed an increase from day 45 with the highest values after lactation peak. The CART and leptin concentrations demonstrate a reduction of both indices (P < 0.05) between days 11 and 75. The function of leptin as a factor positively correlating with BW and BCS was found. In the heaviest individuals and those with higher BCS, the blood leptin levels were higher. The results of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) indicate that cows with the lowest BCS had the most intensive energy transformation. This led to a higher BHBA concentration compared to the cows with high BCS (P < 0.05). The obtained results show that CART was most strongly negatively associated with CT (P < 0.05). For leptin, the tendency was the opposite and the correlation with CT was not significant. The results suggest that CT may be stronger regulated by CART, which has anorectic properties, than by appetite inhibiting leptin. Significant decrease of body condition during lactation is a great problem for dairy farmers. The explanation of the issue of the participation of CART and leptin in the regulation of body’s energy homeostasis may therefore be of importance for milk production.