Transition Cow Flashcards
When is the transition period?
3 weeks before and after calving
What is going on in the body during the transition period?
-Insulin decreased responsiveness
-Reduced Immunity 1-2weeks prepartum and after
-Hypocalcemia
-Hyperketonemia
-Negative Energy Balance (eating less and producing more)
Why is management so important for transition cows?
Such great energy requirements and nutrient requirements are needed to support the calf (colostrum)
What is homeostatic?
Physiologic reactions that maintain most of the steady states in living organisms
Where does glucose come from?
Butyrate and propionate from rumen and liver and diet
Goes into muscle and adipose tissue and milk
What is lactose made up of?
Glucose and galactose
What is homeorhesis?
Fasted state: coordination of metabolism to ensure uniform flow of nutrients to support a physiologic state
When the cow is fasted where do the NEFA and glucose come from for the milk?
Adipose tissue
Muscle (fuled by NEFA and Ketones)
Liver
What are the 3 ketones made?
Acetoacetate
B-OH Butyrate
Acetone
So if making ketones is an adaptive process, why to some cows still get sick?
Excess fatty acids turn into Ketone Bodies = NEFA build up in liver as fat = fatty liver low VLDL)
What have we dont to cows to make them too lipolytic?
Altered adipose sensitivity, high genetic merit, late gestation, increased fat cows, decreased sensitivity to insulin = Increase release of NEFAs
-Dry at high BCS
When looking at clinical pathology what is a common trend for fresh cows?
Lower glucose, higher BHBA and NEFA than close up to mid lactation
What is the BHB level for clinical ketosis?
> 3.0mmol/L
Subclinical >1.2mm/L
Does hyperketonemia mean ketosis?
NO (50% of fresh cows are hyperketonemia during the first 2 months of lactation)
When is the high-risk period for true ketosis?
1st 15 days in milk, (3-7 greatest increase)
