Lipolysis and ketogenesis in cows in early lactation (Review)

Abstract

Peripartal metabolic stress is characterized by increased lipid mobilization, when non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) are increased, as well as by increased  ketogenesis, when  the concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is increased. NEFA are metabolized in all tissues but the main organ is the liver. Possible processes are: a) complete oxidation of NEFA, b) partial oxidation and synthesis of ketone bodies (BHB), c) development of triglycerides from NEFA that can be transported or stay in the liver when fatty liver is apparent. Moreover, increased lipolysis and ketogenesis can cause oxidative stress because concentrations of MDA and/or TBARS are positively correlated with NEFA and BHB concentrations. The increase in NEFA  during the peripartal period affects the cellular immunologic response by changing intracellular signals, gene expressing control, activation of transcriptional factors, apoptosis induction and by modifying mediators of lipid production. Increased proportion of cows with high NEFA and BHB concentrations in the herd can cause reduced milk yield at the end of a standard 305-day lactation. NEFA concentrations can be related to postpartal ovarian activity, especially  given that blood NEFA concentrations represent NEFA concentrations in the ovarian follicular fluid. Cows on farms with lower scores of animal welfare and nutrition have higher concentrations of cortisol, NEFA, BHB, bilirubin, glucose and urea. NEFA and BHB concentrations in early lactation can be used for estimating metabolic adaptation in the first 8 weeks after calving. For the estimation of metabolic adaptation, increased lipolysis has a greater significance than decreased anabolic parameters.