Effects of calcium propionate on milk performance and serum metabolome of dairy cows in early lactation

Calcium propionate is a source of energy and calcium for alleviating negative balance hypocalcemia. The objective this study was to investigate changes in milk composition serum metabolites associated with fed postpartum dairy cows 5 weeks. Thirty-two multiparous Holstein after calving were randomly allocated control (CON), low (LCaP), medium (MCaP) high (HCaP) groups. the four groups given oral drench 0, 200, 350, 500 g/d per cow, respectively, from d 35 early lactation. Milk yield increased quadratically increasing amounts propionate; being greatest MCaP group. Supplementation did not affect Serum glucose, insulin, glucagon, β-hydroxybutyrate, calcium, magnesium, calcitonin calcitriol affected by supplementation. non-esterified fatty acid tended decrease linearly parathyroid hormone treatment. alanine aminotransferase concentration lowest group aspartate highest HCaP among Compared CON group, alkaline phosphatase activity decreased total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase catalase, however, malondialdehyde. mainly involved bile metabolism metabolomic results. 350 feeding level could significantly improve performance but capacity as well. effects on lactation related regulation acids metabolism. • improved capacity. mechanism acid-mediated pathways. optimum amount g/d.