RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effect of body condition score at calving on transition success in Nili Ravi buffaloes

Sayyad H. Magsi1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8181-9461, Muhammad A. Rashid2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1866-0555, Nisar Ahamed1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3094-3881, Maqsood Akhter3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3583-7647, Muhammad Q. Shahid1,*https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3950-0750
Author Information & Copyright
1Department of Livestock Management, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
2Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
3Buffalo Research Institute, Pattoki 55300, Punjab, Pakistan
*Corresponding author: Muhammad Q. Shahid, Department of Livestock Management, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan. Tel: +92-321-4797539, E-mail: Qamar.shahid@uvas.edu.pk

© Copyright 2022 Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology. This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Received: Feb 11, 2022; Revised: Jun 30, 2022; Accepted: Jul 19, 2022

Published Online: Nov 30, 2022

Abstract

Body condition score (BCS) at calving is a vital indicator of the effectiveness of the beginning of lactation in dairy animals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of BCS at calving on milk production and transition success in dairy buffaloes. Thirty-six (36) Nili Ravi buffaloes were enrolled at 40 days of expected calving and followed through 90 days of lactation. The buffaloes were categorized into three groups according to their BCS (on a scale of 1–5 with 0.25 increments) as follows: 1) low, buffaloes with BCS ≤ 3.0; 2) medium, buffaloes with BCS 3.25–3.5; and 3) high, buffaloes with BCS ≥ 3.75. All buffaloes were fed a similar diet ad libitum. The lactation diet had increased concentrate allowance according to milk yield. The results revealed that the BCS at calving did not affect milk yield; however, fat percentage (fat%) was lower in the low-BCS group. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar among the treatment groups, although post-calving BCS loss was greater in the high-BCS group compared to the medium- and the low-BCS groups. Similarly, the buffaloes in the high-BCS group had higher non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration compared to the low- and medium-BCS groups. No cases of metabolic disorders were observed during the study. The present results suggest that the buffaloes in the medium-BCS group appeared to perform better compared to the low- and the high-BCS groups with respect to milk fat% and blood NEFA concentration.

Keywords: Body condition score (BCS); Buffaloes; Milk yield; Milk quality; Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA)

INTRODUCTION

Body condition score (BCS) is a subjective assessment of body fat reserves in a dairy cow. It is now well established that the BCS at calving and the change in BCS after parturition are associated with productive, reproductive, and health performance in dairy cows [1]. However, relatively few studies have investigated the impact of BCS on performance in buffaloes. The calving BCS not only determines the transition success in dairy cows but also dictates the postpartum fat mobilization. As the buffaloes produce more fat in milk, it becomes even more important to assess the impact of calving BCS in dairy buffaloes.

The association between BCS and milk production has been extensively investigated [1,2]. Higher BCS (above 3.5) at calving has been shown to have negative impacts on dry matter intake (DMI) [3,4]. Cows with medium BCS (3.5) at calving are indicated as having optimal productive performance [1,5]. In a recent study, Zhao et al. [6] reported that cows with BCS (3.0–3.25) had the highest milk yield. A study in dairy buffaloes showed that that milk yield was higher for BCS of 3.5–3.9, followed by BCS of 4.0–4.5 and BCS of 3.0–3.5 [7]. It has been observed that cows calving with high BCS had elevated plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations [4,8]. High blood NEFA concentrations postpartum have been associated with impaired health and liver function [9]. High BCS at calving is associated with increased risk of metritis, retained placenta, dystocia [10], milk fever [11], and ketosis [12].

It has been hypothesized that in dairy buffaloes, the dynamics of fat reserves and their association with production and health would be different than that of dairy cows. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the association of body fat reserves at calving on post-calving productive performance and health in Nili Ravi buffaloes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Animals, housing, and feeding

The trial was conducted at Livestock Experiment Station, Chak Katora, Hasalpure, Pakistan (29°42’43.9”N 72°33’19.1”E; elevation = 139 m). Thirty-six (36) buffaloes were enrolled in the study approximately -40 days of expected calving and kept in a naturally ventilated shed with access to a loafing area. The dry cow feed consisted of total mixed ration (TMR) containing corn silage (60%), wheat straw (8%), and concentrate mix (32%; Table 1) on a dry matter (DM) basis to maintain the buffaloes’ respective BCS up to calving. The lactation diet consisted of lactation TMR with corn silage (40%), wheat straw (5%), and concentrate mix (55%; Table 1) on a DM basis. Diets were offered twice daily, in the morning and evening, according to farm protocols. Buffaloes received identical diets to allow ad libitum feed intake throughout the study (10% refusals). The manure from the shed was removed daily through scraping and washing. The animals were provided with water troughs for free access to fresh water.

Table 1. Ingredients and chemical composition of experimental concentrate diet
Ingredients % Dry buffalo Lactation
Maize grains 8.0 8.0
Wheat bran 37.5 37.5
Soybean hulls 8.0 8.0
Molasses 14.0 14.0
Soybean meal 1.0 1.0
Maize gluten meal 30% 20.0 20.0
Rapeseed cake 9.0 9.0
Mineral mixture 1.5 1.5
Sod bi carb 0.3 0.3
Vit premix 0.3 0.3
Lime 0.5 0.5
By pass fat - 1.5
Chemical composition
 DM % 86.3 86.3
 CP % 18.0 18.0
 ME (M cal/kg) 2.7 2.75
 Fat % 3.4 3.4
 NDF % 29.8 29.2
 ADF % 12.3 12.13
 Ash % 6.1 8.7

DM, dry matter; CP, crude protein; ME, metabolizable energy; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; ADF, acid detergent fiber.

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Study design

The buffaloes were randomly divided into three study groups with an equal number of animals in each group (12 animals per group). The study groups were categorized according to their BCS (on a scale 1–5 with 0.25 increments) as follows: 1) low, buffaloes with BCS ≤ 3.0; 2) medium, buffaloes with BCS 3.25–3.5; and 3) high, buffaloes with BCS ≥ 3.75 at the time of enrollment. The concentrate allowance was given according to the requirements of each individual animal to maintain the BCS until calving. The animals were followed for 90 days post calving to monitor the transition success and early lactation. Data regarding parity at dry off (primiparous vs. multiparous), dry period length, gestation length, calving date, and calf sex were collected from the farm records.

Milk yield, feed intake, body condition score, and body weight

Milk yield (kg) was recorded daily both at morning and afternoon milking. The collection of milk samples was done twice a week to assess the yield of the milk components. The fresh milk samples from morning and evening milking were collected for milk component analysis using a portable milk analyzer (Lactoscan Standard, Milkotronic, Nova Zagora, Bulgaria). The components included the percentages of fat, solids-not-fat, protein, and lactose. DMI was calculated on two consecutive days each week. A measured quantity of feed was offered, and the feed refusal was recorded by weighing the amount of feed left in the mangers after 24 hours. The DM content of the feed and the refusal were determined using a microwave oven with an average drying time of 8 minutes. Body weight (BW) and BCS were recorded weekly. The first post-calving BCS recording was done within three days after calving. The BCS was taken to be at a nadir when the lowest post-calving value was followed by two greater consecutive values; the same process was applied to determine the nadir of BW [5].

Health events

Disease diagnosis and treatment was performed by the farm veterinarian. All buffaloes were observed for milk fever, retained fetal membranes, and metritis from parturition to 21 d postpartum. Dystocia was observed at the time of calving and was dichotomized into no calving assistance or minor plus major assistance [13]. Retained placenta was defined as an animal failing to expel the fetal membranes within 24 h after calving. Metritis was characterized as a sick cow with a fever higher than 39.5°C and with a purulent or red-to-brown colored discharge from the vulva within 21 days of calving [14]. A case of milk fever was defined as a prostrated cow with minimal rumen contractions that responded to intravenous calcium treatment within 30 min. Buffaloes with decreased DMI and low milk production were tested for ketosis.

Blood sampling

Blood samples were taken approximately three to five hours before morning feeding. The samples were collected at 21 and 7 days before expected calving and at 1, 7, and 21 days postpartum. For individual sampling, approximately 10 ml of blood was collected from the coccygeal vein in a plain red-top evacuated tube and handled according to the recommendations of Stokol and Nydam [15]. Plasma samples were analyzed for NEFA using a commercial kit (Randox Laboratories, Crumlin, UK).

Statistical analysis

All statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). A repeated-measures ANOVA was applied for milk yield, milk component yield, BW change, BCS change, DMI, NEFA, and energy balance (EBAL) using the MIXED procedure of SAS according to the following model:

Y ijk  = μ+T i +W j +T i +W j +B k +e ejk

where Yijk = the dependent variable; μ = the overall mean; Ti = the fixed effect of treatment i, where i = 1, 2, or 3, three calving BCS groups; Wj = the fixed effect of week j, where j = 1, 2,. . . or 12; Ti × Wj = interaction between treatment and week; Bk = the random effect of buffalo k, where k = 1. . . n; and eijk= the random error. First day milk production of individual buffaloes was used as a covariate in the model for the analysis of milk yield, milk components, and fat to protein ratio. The Least square means were separated using the PDIFF option with Tukey’s adjusted p-values. The differences were considered significant at p < 0.05 and a trend at a p value between 0.05 and 0.1.

RESULTS

Body condition score and body weight

BCS before calving was 2.88, 3.35, and 3.82 for the low-, medium-, and high-BCS groups, respectively (p < 0.001; Table 2). The differences in postpartum BCS were consistent with calving BCS classes (p < 0.001; Table 2), but the BCS change during the first 4 wk of lactation did not differ across the BCS groups (p < 0.2189; Table 3 and Fig. 1). The BCS decreased (p < 0.001) in all groups. The decrease was up to 2.4, 3 and 6 wk in the low-, medium-, and high-BCS groups, respectively. Buffaloes in the low-BCS group tended (p < 0.0689; Table 3) to reach the nadir BCS sooner than the buffaloes in the medium- and high-BCS groups. Interaction with time showed significant effect on BCS change among all the groups (p < 0.0161; Table 3).

Table 2. Effects of BCS at calving on BW, DM intake, and NEFA of Nili Ravi buffaloes during transition period
Item BCS group SEM p-value
Low Medium High BCS group Week Week × BCS group
Prepartum1)
 BW (kg) 554a 595a 650b 17 0.0111 < .0001 0.9636
 DMI (kg/d) 15.2 15.2 15.3 0.52 0.3587 < .0001 < .0001
 NEFA (mmoL/L) 0.52a 0.52a 0.61b 0.01 < .0001 0.2388 0.7592
Postpartum2)
 BCS 2.8a 3.3b 3.7c 0.09 < .0001 0.0029 0.0474
 BW (kg) 490a 540ab 594b 15 0.0304 < .0001 0.5857
 DMI (kg/d) 16.3 15.3 15.3 0.36 0.3120 < .0001 0.0023
 NEFA (mmoL/L) 0.55a 0.54a 0.61b 0.02 0.0026 < .0005 0.5853
 Energy balance (M cal/d) 7.5 5.2 5.8 2.01 0.2904 < .0001 0.1734

1) Weeks 3, 2, and 1 prepartum.

2) Week 1,2,3 and 4 postpartum.

a-c Means within a row with different superscripts differ (p < 0.05).

BCS, body condition score; BW, body weight; DM, dry matter; NEFA, non-essential fatty acid; DMI, dry matter intake.

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Table 3. Effects of BCS at calving on BCS change, BW change pre- and post-calving and nadir BCS, BW and nadir week of Nili Ravi buffaloes during transition period
Item BCS group SEM p-value
Low Medium High BCS group Week Week × BCS group
Prepartum1)
 BCS change 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.8997 0.1996 0.3415
 BW change (kg/wk) 9.5 9.7 10.4 5.49 0.9593 0.0272 0.6945
Postpartum2)
 BCS change −0.04 −0.09 −0.14 0.06 0.2189 < .0001 0.0161
 BW change (kg/wk) −3.2 −6.8 −6.6 4.98 0.0789 < .0001 0.6574
 Nadir BCS 2.75a 3.20b 3.57c 0.1 < .0001 - -
  Week 2.41 3.1 6.6 1.7 0.0689 - -
 Nadir BW (kg) 486a 511ab 546b 21 0.0480 - -
  Week 2.98a 7.58b 8.31b 1.8 0.0184 - -

1) Weeks 4, 3, 2, and 1 prepartum.

2) Weeks 1–12 postpartum.

a-c Means within a row with different superscripts differ (p < 0.05).

BCS, body condition score; BW, body weight.

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jast-64-6-1013-g1
Fig. 1. Mean BCS change of buffaloes during transition period for three BCS groups; dotted line with solid square (BCS ≥ 3.75), dot dashed line with solid square (BCS 3.25 – 3.5), solid line with solid triangle (BCS ≤ 3.0). BCS, body condition score.
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BW was highest for the high-BCS group throughout the study, but it did not differ between the medium- and low-BCS groups (Table 2). The differences in postpartum BW were consistent with calving BCS classes (Table 2), but the BW change during the first 4 wk of lactation did not differ across the BCS groups (Table 3). After calving, BW rapidly decreased (Fig. 2) in all groups. The decrease was up to 3 wk in the low- and up to 8 wk both in the medium- and high-BCS groups (Table 3). Buffaloes in the low-BCS group took fewer days to reach the BW nadir than the buffaloes in the medium- and high-BCS groups. Interaction with time showed non-significant effect on BW changes before and after calving (Table 3).

jast-64-6-1013-g2
Fig. 2. Mean BW change of buffaloes during transition period for three BCS groups; dotted line with solid square (BCS ≥ 3.75), dot dashed line with solid square (BCS 3.25 – 3.5), solid line with solid triangle (BCS ≤ 3.0). BCS, body condition score.
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Dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk components

Overall, DMI decreased during the last 2 wk of gestation. The DMI decrease was numerically higher in the high-BCS group compared to the low- and medium-BCS groups (Fig. 3) but did not differ statistically (Table 2). DMI did not decrease in the low-BCS group before parturition (Fig. 3). Overall, DMI increased significantly during the first 4 wk postpartum and tended to be greater in the low-BCS group, averaging 16.3, 15.3, and 15.3 kg/d during the first 4 wk of lactation for the low-, medium-, and high-BCS groups, respectively (Table 2). Interaction with time showed significant effect on DMI before and after calving (Table 2).

jast-64-6-1013-g3
Fig. 3. Mean DMI of buffaloes during transition period for three BCS groups; dotted line with solid square (BCS ≥ 3.75), dot dashed line with solid square (BCS 3.25 – 3.5), solid line with solid triangle (BCS ≤ 3.0). BCS, body condition score.
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The average daily milk yield during the first 4 wk of lactation was 9.1, 9.6, and 9.7 kg/d for the low-, medium-, and high-BCS groups, respectively (Table 4), but did not differ statistically (p = 0.7158). Milk production increased significantly in all BCS groups during the first 4 wk postpartum (p < 0.0001; Table 4 and Fig. 4). Interaction with time had non-significant effects on milk yield (Table 4). The fat-corrected milk yield tended to differ across the BCS groups (Table 4), averaging 12.5, 14.6, and 14.4 kg/d for the low-, medium-, and high-BCS groups (p = 0.0753; Table 4), respectively. The milk fat yield was 505, 608, and 593 g/d for the low-, medium-, and high-BCS groups (p = 0.0653; Table 4), respectively. The milk protein yield was lowest for the low-BCS group (Table 4), averaging 354, 337, and 351 g/d for the low-, medium-, and high-BCS groups, respectively, but did not differ statistically. The milk lactose yield was 346, 329, and 336 g/d for the low-, medium-, and high-BCS groups, respectively, and did not differ statistically.

Table 4. Effects of BCS at calving on milk production and composition on early-lactation of Nili Ravi buffaloes
Item1) BCS group SEM p-value
Low Medium High BCS group Week Week × BCS group
Milk (kg/d) 9.1 9.6 9.7 0.56 0.7158 <.0001 0.7305
3.5% FCM (kg/d) 12.5 14.6 14.4 0.96 0.0753 <.0001 0.2484
Milk components (%)
 Fat 5.7a 6.3b 6.2b 0.31 0.0496 <.0001 0.2992
 Protein 3.66 3.62 3.7 0.07 0.2046 0.0671 0.5955
 Lactose 5.2 5.1 5.1 0.08 0.4315 0.0418 0.0625
Milk components (g/d)
 Fat 505 608 593 43.0 0.0653 <.0001 0.1911
 Protein 354 337 351 18.7 0.4329 <.0001 0.7573
 Lactose 346 329 336 18.41 0.4589 <.0001 0.2362
FPR 1.76 1.86 1.69 0.09 0.0515 <.0001 0.1736
Feed efficiency 1.70 1.73 1.73 0.12 0.8977 0.7948 0.2841

1) All the variables listed were adjusted for first day milk production as a covariate.

a-b Means within a row with different superscripts differ (p < 0.05).

BCS, body condition score; FCM, fat corrected milk; FPR, fat to protein ratio.

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jast-64-6-1013-g4
Fig. 4. Mean milk yield of buffaloes during transition period for three BCS groups; dotted line with solid square (BCS ≥ 3.75), dot dashed line with solid square (BCS 3.25 – 3.5), solid line with solid triangle (BCS ≤ 3.0). BCS, body condition score.
Download Original Figure
Energy balance and non-esterified fatty acids

Postpartum EBAL was numerically high (p < 0.2904) for the low-BCS group and low for the medium- and high-BCS groups (Table 2 and Fig. 5), averaging 7.5, 5.2, and 5.8 M cal/d for the low-, medium-, and high-BCS groups, respectively (Table 2). Low BCS group remained in positive EBAL after parturition, and medium- and high-BCS groups reached positive EBAL by wk 2 postpartum (Fig. 5). Interaction with time showed non-significant effect on EBAL among all BCS groups (p < 0.1734; Table 2).

jast-64-6-1013-g5
Fig. 5. Mean energy balance of buffaloes during transition period for three BCS groups; dotted line with solid square (BCS ≥ 3.75), dot dashed line with solid square (BCS 3.25 – 3.5), solid line with solid triangle (BCS ≤ 3.0). BCS, body condition score.
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Plasma NEFA concentrations were highest for the high-BCS group, with significant increase during pre- and postpartum (p < 0.05; Table 2). Plasma NEFA concentrations were similar for the low- and medium-BCS groups before and after parturition (Fig. 6). Time had non-significant effect on plasma NEFA concentration before calving (p < 0.2388; Table 2) and significant effect after calving in all groups (Fig. 6). Interaction with time showed non-significant effect on NEFA concentrations among all BCS groups before and after parturition (Table 2).

jast-64-6-1013-g6
Fig. 6. Mean NEFA of buffaloes during transition period for three BCS groups; dotted line with solid square (BCS ≥ 3.75), dot dashed line with solid square (BCS 3.25 – 3.5), solid line with solid triangle (BCS ≤ 3.0). NEFA, non-esterified fatty acids; BCS, body condition score.
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DISCUSSION

The postpartum BCS were consistent with calving BCS classes, but the BCS change during the first 7 wk of lactation did not differ across BCS groups. Despite the differences in calving BCS, postpartum BCS loss did not differ among the groups. It is possible that body condition scoring was not sensitive enough to detect minute differences in body reserve mobilization during early lactation. This may be due to low milk production, rapid increase in DMI after parturition, and the use of internal fat reserves. Our finding was consistent with Pires et al. [3], who also found that BCS changes during the first 7 wk of lactation did not differ across BCS groups. However, most of the literature showed a positive relationship between calving BCS and BCS loss postpartum [1,4,16]. Consistent with the current findings, Al Ibrahim et al. [17] found that cows with low BCS tended to reach the nadir BCS more quickly than the cows with high BCS.

BW was lowest for the low-BCS buffaloes; this may be due to differences in body size or body composition between buffaloes in the medium- and high-BCS groups, which were not measured. The BW loss among buffaloes in the high-BCS group was in keeping with previously reported findings in dairy cows [3]. Similarly, the low-BCS buffaloes reached the BW nadir sooner, as in dairy cows as reported by Weber et al. [18]. The decrease in DMI before parturition in buffaloes was similar to that in cows as reported earlier [3].

In the current study, the milk yield during the first 4 wk of lactation was only numerically different among the BCS groups, with lean buffaloes producing 0.5 kg/d less than the medium- and high-BCS groups. These findings were consistent with the findings of other researchers [4,19], who did not find any significant association between BCS and milk production. The literature shows a curvilinear relationship between BCS at calving and milk production [1,2]. Buffaloes with medium BCS at calving produced milk with greater fat content than lean cows, reflecting the availability of body fat in the former. Moreover, the use of estimated breeding value (EBV) of fat content as a covariate in the statistical model would have further explained the association of BCS with milk fat content as it is highly heritable trait. Lack of data on the EBV of fat content was a limitation of the present research. Further studies could address this limitation while investigating the association of BCS with production traits in dairy buffaloes.

In the present study, the low-BCS group remained in positive EBAL after parturition, and the medium- and high-BCS groups reached positive EBAL by 2 wk postpartum. Therefore, no cases of metabolic disorders with clinical signs were observed. Our findings were consistent with the study by Gillund et al. [20], who did not find any case of metabolic disorder clinically among BCS groups. The greatest plasma NEFA concentrations in buffaloes for the high-BCS group were in accordance with what has been reported in dairy cows [3,16,17].

The present study has provided experimental evidence that high-BCS buffaloes had more BCS and BW loss after calving. The buffaloes in the medium-BCS group appeared to perform better compared to the low- and the high-BCS groups with respect to milk fat% and blood NEFA concentration. More studies on high-producing buffaloes would further explore the association of calving BCS on productive and health performance.

Competing interests

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Funding sources

Not applicable.

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Availability of data and material

Upon reasonable request, the datasets of this study can be available from the corresponding author.

Authors’ contributions

Conceptualization: Magsi SH, Shahid MQ.

Data curation: Magsi SH.

Formal analysis: Ahamed N, Akhter M, Shahid MQ.

Methodology: Rashid MA.

Writing - original draft: Magsi SH, Shahid MQ.

Writing - review & editing: Magsi SH, Rashid MA, Ahamed N, Akhter M, Shahid MQ.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

All the experimental manipulations are undertaken in compliance with the Institutional Guidelines of Ethical Review Committee of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore with reference no. dr/16a dated January 19, 2021.

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