Physiological Conditions Leading to Maternal Subclinical Ketosis in Holstein Dairy Cows Can Impair the Offspring’s Postnatal Growth and Gut Microbiome Development

Abstract

Maternal metabolic disruptions, such as ketosis, can have adverse effects on fetal development and influence postnatal factors. Twelve Holstein calves were randomly enrolled in this study at birth and monitored until 8 weeks of age. The study was conducted from fall 2018 until spring 2019. After completing the data collection period, calves were classified according to their respective dams ketotic condition after parturition. This classification was based on dam blood β-hydroxybutyrate p = 0.05) but exhibited a slower growth rate compared to NONKET calves from 1 to 8 weeks (p = 0.02). At birth, SK calves had lower (p Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum and Gallibacterium anatis were more abundant in SK calves (p p Sharpae azabuensis at 3 weeks. These findings suggest that subclinical ketosis in cows can impact the in-utero development, postnatal growth, and maturing gut microbiome of their offspring.

Keywords

• calves
• ketosis
• gut microbiome
• 16S rRNA
• bacterial composition