Prevalence of metabolic diseases in the postpartum period and their impact on milk yield in Holstein cows

Inadequate preparation of cows’ diets during the dry and peripartum periods for the upcoming increased needs in milk production postpartum leads to the emergence of a negative energetic and mineral imbalance. In order to provide the necessary energy, especially the level of glucose in the blood and minerals, necessary for the synthesis of milk, physiological and endocrinological changes in the cows’ body lead to the mobilisation of energy reserves, and the activation of glycogenolysis, glyco¬neogenesis and lipolysis. If the negative balance is more pronounced and lasts for a longer period of time, metabolic diseases occur in cows. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of metabolic diseases in the postpartum period and their impact on milk yield. The research included 237 Holstein cows divided into two groups. The first group of 189 cows that were examined for metabolic diseases, in which 48 cows (25.4%) had metabolic diseases. Puerperal paresis was the most common disease that occurred in 17 cows (35%), ketosis in 15 cows (31%), subacute rumen acidosis in 8 cows (17%), atypical puerperal paresis in 5 cows (11%) and osteomalacia in 3 cows (6%). The second group consisted of 48 healthy control cows, for which data were collected on the amount of milk during the lactation period. The study findings revealed that during the lactation period metabolic diseases reduced milk yield by 26.62%, or 7.96 L/milk per day, compared to a healthy population of cows.