Student Case Presentation
Investigating the Association of Prepartum Liver Health Index and Metabolic Health Postpartum
| Date/Time: |
9/12/2024 1:45 pm
|
| Presenter: |
Thomas Wehri |
| Veterinary School: |
MN |
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to investigate the association between liver health index (LHI) - an index associated with the inflammatory response calculated based on plasma bilirubin, albumin, and cholesterol - prepartum and metabolic health postpartum in dairy cows. This study was conducted on two farms in Minnesota between May and October 2023. Cows were enrolled approximately 14±3 d before calving. Following calving, blood samples were collected at 7±3 and 14±3 days in milk (DIM) to measure beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). The median LHI (0.299) of the study population was used to dichotomize enrolled cows into two cohorts: high and low LHI. The association between prepartum LHI and postpartum BHB concentrations were analyzed for 7 and 14 DIM using linear models. Hyperketonemia (HYK) status was created as a binary variable (BHB > 1.2 mmol/L) and analyzed at 7 and 14 DIM using logistic regression analyses. The BHB concentrations at 7 DIM were numerically lower (P = 0.21) for cows with a high LHI (0.71 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.76) vs low LHI (0.75 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.81). The BHB concentrations at 14 DIM were similar between LHI groups. When considering HYK status, high LHI cows had significantly lower odds of HYK occurrence at 7 DIM than low LHI cows (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 1.00, -2.70; P < 0.01). The odds of HYK occurrence at 14 DIM was slightly lower but non-significant for high LHI cows versus low LHI cows. Prepartum LHI is associated with postpartum HYK occurrence in the first 7 DIM.
