Prepartum behaviors as early indicators for postpartum energy associated biomarkers status in Holstein dairy cows

Our main aim was to investigate the predictive value of prepartum behaviors such as total daily rumination (TDR), total daily activity (TDA) and dry matter intake (DMI) as early indicators to detect cows at risk for hyperketonemia (HYK), hypoglycemia (HYG) or high non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) status in the first (wk1) and second week (wk2) postpartum. In a case control study, 64 Holstein cows were enrolled 3 weeks before the expected time of calving and monitored until 15 days in milk (DIM). Postpartum blood samples were taken at D3 and D6 for wk1 and at D12 and D15 for wk2 to measure beta-hydroxybutyrate, NEFA and glucose concentration. Ear -mounted accelerometers were used to measure TDR and TDA. DMI and milk yield were obtained from farm records. Relationships between the average daily rate of change in prepartum TDR (Delta TDR), TDA (Delta TDA), and DMI (Delta DMI) with postpartum HYK, HYG and NEFA status in wk1 and wk2 post-partum were evaluated using linear regression models. Models were adjusted for potential confounding variables, and covariates retained in the final models were determined by backward selection. No evidence was found to support the premise that prepartum Delta TDR, Delta TDA or Delta DMI predicted postpartum HYK, HYG or NEFA status in wk1 or in wk2. Overall, prepartum Delta TDR, Delta TDA and Delta DMI were not effective predictors of HYK, HYG or NEFA status in the first 2 weeks postpartum.