The Effect of Parity, Lactation Period, and Milk Yield on Metabolic Profile Parameters in Holstein Dairy Cows

Metabolic profile analyses are widely used to determine and standardize the nutritional and disease status of animals. Metabolic profile parameters do not have the same reference ranges in every case. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the effect of parity and lactation period on metabolic parameters in Holstein dairy cows. In the study, a total of 60 dairy cows in the transition period (the last three weeks of pregnancy and the first three weeks of lactation) were used. Dairy cows were grouped according to their parity (1 (n:20), 2 (n:20), and 3 or more (n:20)), lactation period (early period: 0-60 days (n:20), mid period: 60-120 (n:20), late period: >120 (n:20)), and 305-day average milk yield (35 L: high yield (n:20)). Significant changes were detected in the levels of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), which indicate energy status, alanin aminotransferaz (ALT), aspartat aminotransferaz (AST), gama glutamil transferaz (GGT), and cholesterol, which indicate liver damage, and albumin levels among plasma proteins. It was concluded that considering these factors while evaluating the metabolic profile parameters in dairy cattle could be beneficial for better understanding the animals' condition and accurately interpreting the analyses.