METABOLIC PROFILES DURING LACTATION PERIOD IN COWS

Assiut University web-site: www.aun.edu.eg

METABOLIC PROFILES DURING LACTATION PERIOD IN COWS

SHIMAA A. ABD EL RAHIM ¹; HASSAN Y.A.E. MAHMOUD ²;

MAHMOUD MOHAMED ARAFA³ and ADEL E.A. MOHAMED ²  

¹ Animal Health Research Institute, Sohag,

² Fac. of Vet. Med. South Valley University

³ Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Giza

Received: 25 February 2019;     Accepted: 30 April 2019

INTRODUCTION

Dairy animals are an important source of animal protein in Egypt. It considered as main source of the food supply in the form of milk, meat (FAO, 2009) and leather (Sarwer et al., 2009).

Lactation stage causes different variation in concentrations of blood metabolites in dairy cows (Yaylak et al., 2009). Lactation phases affect significantly the metabolic profile and so the variation recorded during different physiological phases is expected during the dairy cow production cycle (Smith and Risco, 2005). During the first stage of lactation, mammary gland activity increased results in energy deficiency and increased lipomobilization from body reserves (Arfuso et al., 2016).

During lactation, mammary gland secretory cells utilize 80% of the blood circulating metabolites for synthesis of milk, depending on the speed of infiltration of precursors of milk compounds (i.e. free amino  acids,  glucose  and  fatty  acids).  All animals

Corresponding author: Dr. Adel E.A. Mohamed

E-mail address: adel.mohamed@vet.svu.edu.eg

Present address: Fac. of Vet. Med. South Valley University

require minerals such as calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) for reproduction, growth and lactation, which often affect specific requirements, and contributes as catalytic components of enzymes or regulate several mechanism involved just in pregnancy and lactation (Samardzija et al., 2011).

The level of iron at first month of lactation was less than its level at second month of lactation (Hussain  et al., 2001). There was non-significant change in the level of leptin hormone in the first month of lactation when compared to its level in second and third month of lactation (Accorsi et al., 2005). The level of uric acid, SOD, CAT and GSH in the first month of lactation was less than its level at second month of lactation (Pintea et al., 2006).

There was non-significant change in total bilirubin level at first month of lactation when compared to the second month of lactation furthermore non-significant change in calcium and creatinine level (Piccione       et al., 2012). The level of ALP in the first month of lactation less than its level at second and third month of lactation (Abdulkareem, 2013).

The level of chloride, potassium and phosphorus in first month of lactation not significant changed when compared to its level at second and third month of lactation while, the level of sodium at first month of lactation was less than its level at second month of lactation (Nozad et al., 2014). The level of selenium in the first month of lactation was more than its level at second and third month of lactation (Cong and Xiao., 2016). Fiore  et al. (2018) said that the level of SGOT at first month of lactation more than its level at second month and at third month while, the urea level at first month of lactation less than its level at second and third month of lactation and reported that the level of insulin and SGPT in lactating buffaloes at first month of lactation less than its level at second month of lactation, there was non-significant change in the level of TSH at first month of lactation when compared to its level at second and third month of lactation. The level of glucose at first month of lactation was less than its level at second month of lactation (Kalasariya et al., 2017).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study conducted using 40 healthy lactating mixed breed cows aged 1.8-4 years from the date of 1-10-2018 to 1-1-2019. These cows selected from Sohag Governorate;40 cows reared on small farms feed on balanced ration; 20 cows from them were at the first time of parturition, 10 cows were at the second time of parturition and 10 cows were at the third time of parturition.10 cows used as a control animals brought from farmers houses and feed on unbalanced ration.

The studied cows divided into 3 groups that fed on balanced ration (B at first month of lactation, C at second month of lactation and D at third month of lactation. While, the control group A fed on unbalanced ration.

The main components of the ration of healthy dairy cows and hazard control animals illustrated in (table 1and 2).

Table 1: The main components of balanced ration.

Table 2: The main components of unbalanced ration.

Jugular blood samples collected in plain tubes for blood serum biochemistry. The blood was allowed to clot and centrifuged, then clear blood serum was separated and stored at -20 °C until analyzed and whey milk sample for leptin hormone analysis.

The separated sera used for detection of some liver enzymes, kidney function tests, glucose and antioxidants by using of test kits supplied by Spectrum Egyptian company of biotechnology, Diamound diagnostic company and Biodiagnostic company, Egypt and by the using of (CECIL 3000 SERIES scanning spectrophotometer).

Serum minerals and some heavy metals by using of atomic absorption (SensAA GBC Scientific Equipment) according to (A.O.A.C., 2015).

Insulin, TSH and leptin hormone by using of ELISA according to (A.O.A.C., 2015) by coating the plate with a capture antibody, then sample is added, and any antigen present binds to capture antibody. Detecting antibody is added, and binds to antigen, and then enzyme-linked secondary antibody which is specific to the first antibody is added, and binds to the detecting antibody. Finally substrate is added, and is converted by enzyme to detectable colored form which could be measured by ELISA plate reader.

Statistical analysis

The obtained data statistically analyzed after the methods described by (Snedecor and Cochran, 1980) analysis of variance, least significant difference and correlation matrix also done by statistical package for social science (SPSS) computer program and ANOVA test.

RESULTS

In the present study we measured some liver function tests include (SGOT, SGPT, ALP and Total bilirubin) by using spectrophotometer, the result revealed that the mean values were (59.2 u/ml, 36 u/ml, 125.9 u/ml, 1.02 mg/dl) respectively in animals feed on unbalanced ration , while in animals feed on balanced ration in the 1^st month of lactation were (41.3 u/ml, 38.6 u/ml, 121.9 u/ml, 0.83 mg/dl) respectively ,in the 2^nd month of lactation were ( 48.4 u/ml, 36.3 u/ml, 123.2 u/ ml, 0.92 mg/dl) respectively, in the 3^rd month of lactation were (48 u/ml, 36.5 u/ml, 123.3 u/ml, 0.84 mg/dl) respectively.

In addition to ,we measured some kidney function tests include (Urea, Creatinine and Uric acid) by using spectrophotometer, the result revealed that the mean values were (35.2 mg/dl, 1.19 mg/dl, 4.99 mg/dl) respectively in animals feed on unbalanced ration, while in animals feed on balanced ration in the 1^st month of lactation were (21.1mg/dl, 0.88 mg/dl, 4.7 mg/dl) respectively ,in the 2^nd month of lactation were (27.8 mg/dl, 1.01 mg/dl, 4.99 mg/dl) respectively, in the 3^rd month of lactation were (29 mg/dl, 1.1 mg/dl, 4.99  mg/dl) respectively.

Some antioxidants include (GSH, SOD and CAT) were measured by using spectrophotometer, the result revealed that the mean values were (18.4 mu/ml, 1.28 u/ml, 4.02 u/I) respectively in animals feed on unbalanced ration , while in animals feed on balanced ration in the 1^st month of lactation were (25.2mu/ml, 3 u/ml, 5.23 u/I) respectively, in the 2^nd month of lactation were (24.2 mu/ml, 2.2 u/ml, 4.7 u/I) respectively , in the 3^rd month of lactation were (20.9 mu/ml, 1.6 u/ml, 4.19 u/I) respectively.

The result of Glucose by using spectrophotometer revealed that the mean value was (40.6 mg/dl) in animals feed on unbalanced ration, while in animals feed on balanced ration in the 1^st month of lactation was (48 mg/dl), in the 2^nd month of lactation was (43.8 mg/dl), in the 3^rd month of lactation was (42.1 mg/dl).

Minerals include (Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Chloride and Sodium) measured by using atomic absorption, the result revealed that the mean values were (8.9 mg/dl, 4.75 mg/dl, 3.24 m mol/ ml, 96.5m mol/I, 119.6 m mol/I) respectively in animals feed on unbalanced ration , while in animals feed on balanced ration in the 1^st month of lactation were (10.56 mg/dl, 5.8 mg/dl, 4.07 m mol/ ml, 134.3 m mol/I, 141 m mol/I) respectively, in the 2^nd month of lactation were (9.84 mg/dl, 5.44 mg/dl, 3.43 m mol/ ml, 125.7 m mol/I, 129.3 m mol/I) respectively, in the 3^rd month of lactation were (9.05 mg/dl, 4.87 mg/dl, 3.05 m mol/ ml, 117.9m mol/I, 114.2 m mol/I) respectively.

The result of Cupper, Iron and Selenium revealed that the mean values were (63.5 mg/dl, 160.6 mg/dl, 0 ug/dl) respectively in animals feed on unbalanced ration , while in animals feed on balanced ration in the 1^st month of lactation were (92 mg/dl, 196.8 mg/dl, 0.58 ug/dl) respectively, in the 2^nd month of lactation were (96.7 mg/dl, 214.2 mg/dl, 0.196 ug/dl) respectively, in the 3^rd month of lactation were (104.2 mg/dl, 186.5 mg/dl, 0.157 ug/dl) respectively, also we measured (lead and cadmium) and obtained no data in both unbalanced and balanced rations.

The result of TSH in serum and Leptin in milk by using ELISA revealed that the mean values were (2.4, 7.6) respectively in animals feed on unbalanced ration, while in animals feed on balanced ration in the 1^st month of lactation were (2.8, 9.6) respectively, in the 2^nd month of lactation were (2.7, 12.7) respectively, in the 3^rd month of lactation were (3.4, 13.4) respectively.

Finally, Insulin measured by using ELISA, the result revealed that the mean value was (13.8 mg/dl) in animals feed on unbalanced ration, while in animals feed on balanced ration in the 1^st month of lactation was (10 mg/dl), in the 2^nd month of lactation was (12.7 mg/dl), in the 3^rd month of lactation was (13.77 mg/dl).

All these results showed in table (3).

Table 3: Effect of lactation stages on different parameters.

S.D= Standard deviation         x̄= mean values   * means P values

DISCUSSION

The lactation phase affects significantly the metabolic profile and so the variation recorded during this phase is expected. The lactation phase is a period of great metabolic stress for dairy cows (Rollin et al., 2010).

There was a significant increment in insulin level of second and third month of lactation groups when compared to first month of lactation group, this observation may be attributed to the effect of high concentrate diet is at long term and very small in the early lactation (Campanile et al., 1995). These results agreed with that reported by (Fiore et al., 2014 and 2018) and disagreed with that reported by (Accorsi    et al., 2005).

There was a significant increment in SGOT and ALP levels of second and third months of lactating animals when compared to its level in the first month of lactating group while, there was a decrement in the level of SGPT in second and third months when compared to the first month of lactation, this change following physiological or pathological conditions. These results agreed with that reported by (Nozed     et al., 2014 and Khan et al., 2016) and disagreed with (Jozwik et al., 2012).

There was non-significant change in total bilirubin level of the third month of lactation groups when compared to first month of lactation group while, in the second month its level increased, this observation may be due to physical stress. These results agreed with that reported by (Piccione et al., 2012).

There was a significant increment in urea level of second and third month of lactation groups when compared to first month of lactation group, this observation may be attributed to the fact that increased deamination or increased protein intake in dairy animals (Roubies et al., 2006). These results agreed with that reported by (Eman et al., 2014 and Fiore et al., 2018) and disagreed with that recorded by (Accrosi et al., 2005 and Piccione et al., 2012).

There was a significant increment in creatinine level of second and third month of lactation groups when compared to first month of lactation group. These results disagreed with that reported by (Piccione       et al., 2012).

There was non- significant decrement in uric acid level of second and third month of lactation groups when compared to first month of lactation group, these results may attributed to oxidative stress in dairy cows. These results agreed with that reported by (Pienta et al., 2006).

There was a significant decrement incalcium, chloride, sodium, potassium and phosphorus levels of second and third month of lactation groups when compared to first month of lactation group. These results may attributed to physiological status of lactating animals and the high production of milk in the second and third month of lactation in compared to the first month as reported by (Cozzi et al., 2011). The results of chloride, sodium, potassium and phosphorus notagreed withthat reported by (Nozad    et al., 2014) and the results of both chloride and calcium agreed with that recorded by (Hussien et al., 2001).

There was a significant increment in cupper level of second and third month of lactation groups when compared to first month of lactation group.

There was a significant increment in iron level of second month of lactation groups when compared to first month of lactation group while, there was a decrement in iron level in third month of lactation when compared to the first and second month of lactation. These results not agreed with that reported by (Hussien et al., 2001).

There were no data obtained for lead and cadmium in our balanced and un balanced rations. These results may attributed to the healthy environment in which the both healthy and control groups reared.

There was a significant decrement in selenium level of second and third month of lactation groups when compared to first month of lactation group. These results may attributed to the transfer of Se from the blood to the milk produced largely in peak lactation, these results not agreed with that reported by (Jana   et al., 2015) and agreed with that recorded by (Cong and Xiao, 2016).

There was a significant decrement in SOD, GSH and CAT levels of second and third month of lactation groups when compared to first month of lactation group, these results may be due to oxidative stress. These results agreed with that reported by (Bernabucci et al., 2002 and Jana et al., 2015) and disagreed with that reported by (Iulia et al., 2012).

There was a significant increment in leptin hormone level of second and third month of lactation groups when compared to first month of lactation group, increasing leptin concentration in milk with time the advancement of lactation. These results agreed with that reported by (Ashmawy, 2015) and disagreed with that reported by (Accrosi, 2005).

There was a significant decrement in TSH level of first and second month of lactation groups when compared to third month of lactation group, these results suggesting a possible role of thyroid gland on the start of lacto genesis. These results agreed with that reported by (Fiore et al., 2018).

There was a significant decrement in glucose level of second and third month of lactation groups when compared to first month of lactation group, these results may lead to over production of ketones. These results disagreed with that reported by (Hagwane      et al., 2009 and Kalasariya et al., 2017).

In addition, there were variations between the levels of all parameters except ALP, uric acid and TSH in healthy animals when compared to the hazard control ones that may attributed to the differences in ration.

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