By comparing the data to the pregnancy graph derived from measurements of P2 (and the other previous pregnancies), expected parturition dates were predicted for P3 to P6.
Two Swedish Red and White breed cows (A and B) and 1 Swedish Friesian breed cow (C) were brought to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology about one month before the date of expected parturition.
Samples were obtained 14 d before expected parturition as well as at 4, 15, and 29 d in milk (DIM).
Holstein cows (n = 45) and heifers (n = 19) were fed corn silage-based diets containing 1) 30% oat hay, or 215%5% oat hay and 15% beet pulp from d −21 relative to expected parturition until parturition.
Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 41) were used in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments starting at 28 d before expected parturition.
Arterial and epigastric venous blood samples were taken 14 d before expected parturition and at 4, 15, and 29 d in milk (DIM).
Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 89) were enrolled between 38 and 31 d before expected parturition and randomized to treatments in a completely randomized design (restricted to balance for previous 305-d mature equivalent milk production, parity, and body condition score) at 24 d before expected parturition.
Intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) with rapid administration of 0.25 g of glucose/kg of body weight were performed 28 and 10 d before expected parturition, as well as at 4 and 21 d after calving.
Our objective was to evaluate the effect of feeding ethyl-cellulose rumen-protected methionine (RPM) starting at d −28 from expected parturition through 60 d in milk on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and liver function as well as leukocyte function.
During the peripartum period (28 d before expected parturition until 28 d PP), diets were top-dressed (20 g/d) with either CrPr (KemTRACE Chromium Propionate, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA; 8 mg of Cr/cow per day) or control (Con; ground corn).
