Aspects of transition cow metabolomics—Part II: Histomorphologic changes in the liver parenchyma throughout the transition period, in cows with different liver metabotypes and effects of a metaphylactic butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin treatment

The aims of this study were to evaluate histopathologic changes during the transition period, describe histopathological features metabotypes identified in Part I (Schären et al., 2021aSchären M. Riefke B. Slopianka Keck Gruendemann S. Wichard J. Brunner N. Klein Snedec T. Theinert K.B. Pietsch F. Rachidi Köller G. Bannert E. Spilke Starke A. Aspects cow metabolomics—Part III: Alterations metabolome liver and blood throughout period cows with different metabotypes.J. Dairy Sci. 2021; 104: 9245-9262https://doi.org/10.3168/jds/2020-19056Abstract Full Text PDF Scopus (4) Google Scholar), investigate effects a metaphylactic treatment butaphosphan cyanocobalamin (BCC) on parenchyma. Eighty German Holstein (mean 305-d production: 10,957 kg, range: 6,480–15,193 kg; mean lactation number: 3.9, 2–9) from commercial dairy farm Saxony, Germany, enrolled randomized, prospective, triple-blinded study. Two groups received BCC (5 or 10 mL/100 kg body weight 10% 0.005% cyanocobalamin, Catosal, Bayer Animal Health, n = 20 each) one group placebo (NaCl 0.9%, 40). Liver biopsy specimens collected 14 d antepartum (AP) 7, 28, 42 postpartum (PP), routinely processed for histologic examination, stained hematoxylin eosin, Sudan III, periodic acid-Schiff, picrosirius red stains. sections assessed fat glycogen content degenerative, inflammatory, fibrotic, proliferative changes. statistical analysis included sampling day, number, treatment, metabotype (A medium, B minor, C large alterations profile between AP PP status). There was mild moderate infiltration 37% last 2 wk AP, severe 66% first days PP. degree increased until end week PP, then decreased at which time about 25% had fatty infiltration. Lipidosis positively correlated severity cell degeneration, negatively deposits. Complete depletion hepatocytes not observed cows, even presence hepatic lipidosis. Moderate lymphocytic hepatitis seen 39% numbers 5 greater perisinusoidal fibrosis more often than younger cows. Severe cirrhosis did occur. Metabotype animals exhibited higher chance infiltration, lower storage, positive correlations calculated deposition marked depletion, tissue. For BCC, no significant effect observed. In summary, is characterized by accumulation signs hepatocyte degeneration. These histomorphologic accentuated exhibiting little their across (metabotype B) support assumption grass silage quality as causative factor.