Advances in dairy Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2329-888X
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2329-888X
+44 1300 500008
Mahrt A
Germany
Research Article
Effects of Hyperketonemia within the First Six Weeks of Lactation on Milk Production and Reproductive Performance
Author(s): Ruoff J, Borchardt S, Mahrt A and Heuwieser WRuoff J, Borchardt S, Mahrt A and Heuwieser W
Hyperketonemia is a common disease in early lactating dairy cows and diagnosed by measurement of blood β- hydroxybutyric acid. The objectives of our study were to describe the occurrence of hyperketonemia within the first six weeks of lactation and to evaluate the effects of hyperketonemia on milk production (1st test day milk yield and 100 DIM milk yield), reproductive performance (time to first service, first service conception risk, and time to pregnancy within 200 DIM) and early lactation culling risk. A total of 655 Holstein dairy cows from 6 commercial dairy farms in Germany were enrolled between 1 and 4 DIM. Cows were tested twice weekly using an electronic handheld meter for β-hydroxybutyric acid for an examination period of 42 days resulting in 12 test results per cow. Hyperketonemia was defined as a β- hydroxybutyric acid concentration ≥ 1.2 mmol/l. The .. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2329-888X.1000165