Effect of sward condition on metabolic endocrinology during the early postpartum period in primiparous grazing dairy cows and its association with productive and reproductive performance

The effect of different sward herbage allowances and a total mixed ration (TMR) management on milk production, body condition, first postpartum ovulation and endocrine/metabolic parameters were investigated. Primiparous Holstein dairy cows ( n = 44) were randomly assigned to one of the following grazing treatments ( n = 11 each): high (HA, 30 kg), medium (MA, 15 kg) and low (LA, 7.5 kg) estimated grass DM available/cow/d and a TMR group fed ad-lib from calving to 56 days after calving. Body condition score (BCS) was registered every 15 days from one month before to two months after calving. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), cholesterol, plasma protein, albumin, urea, insulin, insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and leptin were determined in plasma every 15 days from 15 days before to 56 days after calving. Progesterone was determined 2 times per week after parturition to determine first ovulation. TMR group had higher milk production in the first 56 days in milk than the HA and MA groups (P<0.05) which did not differ, and were in turn greater than LA cows (P<0.01). Overall, the TMR and HA groups had a greater BCS, protein and albumin concentrations than the other groups, suggesting a better energy balance. While HA cows presented a better metabolic status (smaller BCS losses, lower plasma NEFA and greater urea concentrations) than MA cows during the early postpartum period (15–30 days postpartum, dpp, P<0.05), HA cows differed (greater plasma cholesterol, albumin and urea concentrations) from LA cows later on (45–60 dpp, P<0.05). Greater plasma insulin and IGF-I concentrations were found in the TMR group (P<0.05), which is consistent with the higher nutrient density offered to this group. The reinitiation of ovarian cyclicity was delayed in MA cows one month after calving when compared to TMR and HA cows (P<0.05), which is consistent with the greater NEFA and lower urea concentrations in this period. The lowest probability of first ovulation throughout the study was observed in LA cows (P<0.05), which was associated with their endocrine and metabolic profile. In conclusion, sward allowance affects metabolic signals which in turn are associated with a different productive and reproductive performance.