IMPACT OF POSTPARTUM HEALTH DISORDERS ON METABOLIC STATUS AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF LACTATING DAIRY COWS.

EMI and early postpartum diseases predict conception rates; EMI serves as useful fertility marker.

This prospective cohort study examined 123 lactating dairy cows to determine how postpartum diseases within the first 21 days in milk (DIM) affect metabolic status, reproductive performance, and infectious disease seroconversion. Sick cows (n=48) were compared to healthy controls (n=75) with blood sampling at first artificial insemination (AI), pregnancy diagnosis (day 30), and pregnancy confirmation (day 60). While early postpartum diseases did not significantly alter metabolic parameters after the voluntary waiting period, temporal changes in metabolites were observed across sampling days. An integrated Energetic Metabolic Index (EMI) combining cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids, and glucose was developed as a predictive tool. EMI, insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration, and disease presence were significant predictors of conception at first service. Notably, sick cows had 37-fold increased odds of seroconverting to Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus by day 60. These findings suggest that composite metabolic indices may better predict fertility outcomes than individual metabolite analysis, and that early postpartum health status significantly influences subsequent reproductive success and infectious disease susceptibility in dairy cattle.

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