Effects of propylene glycol on the metabolic status and milk production of dairy buffaloes

 

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Summary

Objectives: The study was designed to investigate the effects of drenching with propylene glycol (PG) on body condition, serum metabolites and milk production during the transition period of dairy buffaloes. Material and methods: Animals were randomly allocated to a control group (n = 5) and a PG group of 10 buffaloes that were drenched with 500 ml of propylene glycol once daily from 10 (9 ± 3) days prepartum until 2 weeks postpartum. Ultrasound measurements of backfat thickness (BFT) were performed weekly, while blood samples were taken at –4, –2, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks from parturition for estimation of hematological and biochemical metabolites. Results: At –4, –3, and –2 weeks from calving, BFT did not differ between the two groups, but decreased after calving and was higher for the control group than the PG group at weeks –1 and 1. Hematological analysis revealed insignificant changes between the two groups. Serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and glucose did not differ between the two groups before parturition. At 2 and 4 weeks from parturition, NEFA was higher for the control group than the PG group. Serum concentrations of BHBA were higher at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks in control animals than in treated buffaloes. In contrast, the glucose level was significantly increased in PG group when compared to the control group at week 2 postpartum (p < 0.05). Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, and globulins did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). Serum enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transferase were significantly higher in the control than in the PG group. In treated buffaloes significantly (p < 0.05) higher average 60-day milk yields were recorded (8.4 ± 0.22 vs. 10.7 ± 0.40 kg/day). Milk composition did not differ between the two groups. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Drenching of dairy buffaloes with propylene glycol may reduce the risk of ketosis, improve the metabolic status, and increase the milk yield.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel: Evaluierung der Effekte der oralen Gabe von Propylenglykol (PG) in der Transitperiode auf Körperkondition, Stoffwechselparameter und Milchleistung von Milchbüffeln. Material und Methoden: Einer Gruppe von 10 Büffeln (PG-Gruppe) wurden 10 (9 ± 3) Tage ante partum (a. p.) bis 14 Tage post partum (p. p.) einmal täglich 500 ml PG über Drenchen verabreicht. Fünf unbehandelte Büffel dienten als Kontrollgruppe. Die Gruppenzuordnung der Tiere erfolgte randomisiert. Im Wochenabstand wurde die Rückenfettdicke (BFT) sonographisch gemessen. Blutproben für die hämatologische und klinisch-chemische Ana lyse wurden 4 und 2 Wochen a. p. sowie 2, 4, 6, 8 Wochen p. p. gewonnen. Ergebnisse: Die BFT differierte 4, 3 und 2 Wochen a. p. zwischen beiden Gruppen nicht. Eine Woche a. p. und 1 Woche p. p. lag sie in der Kontrollgruppe signifikant höher als in der PG-Gruppe. Nach dem Kalben nahm die BFT in beiden Gruppen ab. Die hämatologischen Parameter wiesen nur geringfügige Veränderungen ohne Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen auf. Die Blutserumkonzentrationen an freien Fettsäuren (NEFA), β-Hydroxybuttersäure (BHB) und Glukose differierten vor der Kalbung nicht signifikant. Zwei und 4 Wochen p. p. war die NEFA-Konzentration und 2, 4, 6 sowie 8 Wochen p. p. die BHB-Konzentration in der Kontrollgruppe signifikant höher als in der PG-Gruppe. Umgekehrt ergab sich in der PG-Gruppe 2 Wochen p. p. eine signifikant höhere Glukosekonzentration (p < 0,05). Die Serumkonzentrationen an Gesamtcholesterol, Triglyzeriden, Gesamtprotein, Albumin und Globulin zeigten zwischen beiden Gruppen keine signifikanten Unterschiede (p > 0,05). Die Serumaktivitäten der Aspartataminotransferase und der γ-Glutamyltransferase waren in der Kontrollgruppe signifikant höher als in der PG-Gruppe. Die mittlere 60-Tage-Milchmengenleistung lag in der PG-Gruppe mit 10,7 ± 0,40 kg signifikant höher als in der Kontrollgruppe mit 8,4 ± 0,22 kg (p < 0,05) bei gleicher Milchzusammensetzung. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Die orale Gabe von PG in der Transitperiode über Drenchen kann das Ketoserisiko reduzieren, die Stoffwechsellage verbessern und die Milchmengenleistung steigern.

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