<b>Supplementation of propyleneglycol to dairy cows in the periparturient period: effects on incidence of ketosis, milk yield, body condition score, and first estrus postpartum</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v25i1.2143

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of propyleneglycol supplementation to the periparturient cows on the occurrence of ketosis and its consequences on: a) milk yield; b) variation of body condition score and first estrus postpartum. Twenty-three Holstein cows were distributed into two treatments: a) 300mL of propyleneglycol (group treatment, 11 cows), b) 300mL of water (group control, 12 cows), administered through drench in the periparturient period. Plasma samples were collected to the analysis of ß-hydroxybutyrate and the body condition score (BCS) was carried out. The incidence of subclinical ketosis was 9.1 and 33.5%, and the first postpartum estrus was in an average of 40.18 and 45.17 days, in the treatment groups and control, respectively. There was no effect of treatment or time on milk yield, although the interaction of time^&lowest;treatment was significant. The BCS of the treatment group was higher than the control group, but there was no difference in the BCS change during the first 60 days of lactation.