Anil, S. S., Anil, L. and Deen, J. 2008. Analysis of periparturient risk factors affecting sow longevity in breeding herds. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 88: 381 389. The association of periparturient risk factors with sow longevity and the validity of sow removal decisions made during the periparturient period were analyzed. Data pertaining to 2066 sows from a commercial breeding herd from the US Midwest...

The physiological processes that underlie the reproductive cycle impose considerable metabolisable protein (MP) demands on a female, especially during the periparturient period. When MP supply falls short of MP demand (i.e. MP becomes scarce), certain, if not all, bodily functions are expected to be penalised. It has been proposed that partitioning of scarce MP is prioritised to reproductive ra...

Susceptibility to infection from nematode parasites in sheep is most pronounced in young animals and in periparturient ewes. The susceptibility of young animals is a consequence of an inability to develop effective acquired immune responses to nematode parasites. In the periparturient ewe, susceptibility arises from a temporary loss of acquired immunity. Loss of immunity is associated with a ri...

There is an increased incidence of infectious disease in periparturient dairy cows. During the periparturient period there is a decline in T-lymphocyte cell subsets, which parallels a reduction in functional capacities of blood lymphocytes and neutrophils. Mechanisms responsible for these changes in immune function during the periparturient period are poorly characterized. Ten mastectomized and...

SELENIUM ASSOCIATED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN THE MAMMARY GLAND OF PERIPARTURIENT DAIRY COWS By Stacey Lynn Aitken Dairy cows experience tremendous stressors during the periparturient period leaving them susceptible to numerous metabolic and infectious diseases. Mastitis continues to be the number one disease afflicting dairy cows during this time period. An inability to compensate for fetal demands ...

The periparturient period is critical according to health, productivity and profitability. As this period is fundamental for the success of the lactation period, the interest in improving periparturient health by dietary supplements increased in recent years. The present study investigated the effects of feeding nicotinic acid (NA) combined with varying dietary energy densities on immunological...

Prolonged depression of feed intake in the periparturient period can greatly reduce health, reproductive performance, and milk yield. • Lipolysis in the periparturient period results in increased uptake, storage, and oxidation of fatty acids in the liver. • Hepatic oxidation of fuels results in a signal from the liver to the brain, known to terminate meals in nonruminants. • Increased hepatic o...

Our objective was to compare the effects of different prepartum dietary phosphorus concentrations on periparturient metabolism and performance. Forty-two late pregnant multiparous Holstein cows were fed 0.21, 0.31, or 0.44% P (dry basis) for 4 wk before expected calving. After parturition, all cows were fed a common lactation diet (0.40% P). In the prepartum period, cows fed 0.21% P had lower b...

The objectives of this study were to investigate the associations between peripheral blood neutrophil (PMN) function, energy status, and uterine health in periparturient dairy cows. Data were collected from 83 multiparous Holstein cows. Blood samples for PMN function determination were collected weekly from 1 week prior to calving (week -1) through 4 weeks after calving and again at 8 weeks aft...

The postpartum uterus in dairy cows is susceptible to multiple bacterial pathogens and susceptibility to infection appears to be associated with periparturient immunosuppression and energy status. Neutrophils (PMN) play an important role as they provide the first-line of cellular defense against bacterial colonization within the uterus. Peripheral blood PMN functions of periparturient dairy cow...