Acta Veterinaria (Jan 2013)

Levels of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I and thyroid hormones in relation to the body condition score changes in periparturient dairy cows

  • Fratrić Natalija,
  • Gvozdić D.,
  • Stojić Milica,
  • Đorić G.,
  • Petrović M.,
  • Đoković R.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2298/AVB1304385F
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 63, no. 4
pp. 385 – 396

Abstract

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The objective of this study was to determine the levels of insulin, insulin like growth factor I (IGF-I) and thyroid hormones in relation to the body condition score (BCS) of periparturient dairy cows. The study was carried out on twenty Holstein-Friesian dairy cows with average milk production of 7000 L/305 days in the previous lactation, parity ranging from 2-4. All cows were BCS scored during the early dry period, 7±3 days before and after parturition. Based on the BCS at the early dry period, cows were divided in two groups: cows with high BCS (3.75- 4.25, HBCS, n=10), and cows with moderate BCS (2.75-3.75, MBCS, n=10). Blood samples were taken at the time of BCS evaluation. Concentrations of insulin, IGF-I, triiodothyroinine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA, INEP-Zemun, Serbia). Statistical differences between mean values were determined using Student t-test (p0.05). IGF-I level in HBCS cows at days 7±3 before calving was significantly higher (16.28±3.07:11.76±2.28, p<0.01), with a reverse relationship after calving (3.77±1.64:8.46±2.37, p<0.01). Insulin level was significantly lower at 7±3 days before calving in HBCS cows (16.26±4.60:20.18±4.96mIU/L, p<0.05). Thyroid hormones levels were significantly lower in HBCS group et all examined periods. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 46002 i br. 31003]

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