Milk Ketone Bodies Assessment in A Local Italian Cow Breed (Modenese) vs. Holstein and Characterization of its Physiological, Reproductive and Productive Performances

In the last 60 years the bovine genetic selection has been focused only on the milk production criterion, neglecting the metabolic and muscularity aspects; the Holstein, Brown and Jersey are proof. This mono-aptitude selective criterion has caused a decline in several aspects, the main ones being reproductive performances (Washburn, S. P. et al 2002, Royal, M. D., et al. 2002, Lucy, M. C. 2001, Esposito et al 2014) and disease resistance and resilience (metabolic syndrome, ketosis, mastitis and foot diseases) (Roxström A. et al., 2001a; Roxström A. et al., 2001b, Sørensen A.C. et al.2007, Carlén E. et al 2004). The higher production of milk does not correspond to a real gain for the farmer, because the metabolic problems, reproductive disorders and inflammatory problems are increasing both the direct costs, such as the costs for veterinary and medicinal products, and the indirect costs, influencing in a negative way the lactation curve (Cools S. et al . 2008) and the economic gain.

 An adequate reproductive performance of the lactating herd is a major component of profitability in dairy farms (Ribeiro E.S. et al., 2012). Reproduction is the essential physiological stage to obtain a higher milk production efficiency. Without the effect of the pregnancy and calving it is not possible to reach an optimal development of mammary system and milk production. The scientific studies have identified the optimal cow lactation period around 305 days and the calving to conception interval (days open) around 85 days (Hafez, B., & Hafez, E. S. E., 2000). These physiological data are far from situation of the modern dairy farm where more than 50% of cows exceed the 305 days (Steri R. et al 2012, Vargas B. et al., 2000; González-Recio O. et al., 2006; Cole J.B. et al., 2009) and the days open period is around the 150 days (official national analysis Italian Breeder Association AIA, 2014). 

The lengthening of these physiological times depends on many factors that affect the post-partum period, where about 50% of the cows suffer from metabolic or inflammatory disorders that influence the reproductive performance (LeBlanc S., 2010). During the days from calving to conception (days open period) are diagnosed the 75% of the diseases that can be found throughout the whole productive life of the cow (LeBlanc S., 2010) such as the retained placenta, metritis, endometritis, lameness, puerperal collapse, hypomagnesemia, fatty liver, ketosis, abomasal displacement left and right, hypoplasia ovarian and ovarian cysts. Many of these diseases have as trigger the negative energy balance (NEB) typical of the early lactation period (first 4-6 weeks) caused by the high energy demand required for the milk production associated with the physiological suppression of appetite (Santos J. E. P. et al., 2014). The energy balance, in addition to predispose to many disease, causes also a direct effect on the reproductive performance in the cows (Butler WR., 2003). During the NEB we have an increase of the NEFA and the beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA). The NEFA high concentration (≥0,7 mM) reduces the resume of the ovarian cyclicity before the 50 days (Ribeiro ES. et al 2013), while the elevated BHBA concentration are negatively associated with the probability of pregnancy after the first postpartum artificial insemination (Walsh RB. et al 2007). Another marker of NEB is the milk protein percentage. As showed by Fulkerson et al. (2001), the cows with low milk protein percentage suffered from more severe and prolonged NEB compared to cows with higher milk protein percentage. Milk protein percentage has been reported to be positively associated with cow fertility, the cows with a higher milk protein percentage in early lactation have a better reproductive performance (Yang L. et al 2009, Morton J.M. et al 2001). 

Most of the studies about the reproductive disorders are focused on the cosmopolitan breeds, Holstein and Brown Swiss, because they are one of the major reported reasons for culling in dairy herds with lameness and udder health (Waiblinger S. et al. 2004; Wathes RB. et al. 2007; Cozler YL.et al. 2009). Analyzing the Italian autochthonous cattle breed, we found a totally different situation. Some studies have demonstrated that these animals have an early reactivation of the ovarian activity after the calving that permits a precocious insemination with a reduction of the days open period under 100 days (Communod R. et al 2010). Not all the physiological mechanism underlying this phenomenon are known, but as showed by Communod et al (2010), one important factor is the uterine involution. They demonstrated that the Cabannina and Varzese breeds (two local breeds of the northern Italy) have a shorter timeframe for uterine involution compared to the Holstein. These results could explain the early resumption of ovarian activity and the early fecundation opportunity typical of these breeds: in fact, the onset of first detectable estrus can be observed 20 days after birth and the opportunity to impregnate can occur in the following cycle, i.e. approximately 40 from birth (Communod R. et al 2011).

 In Italy, a great biodiversity in term of autochthonous cattle breed is present. There are 19 breeds officially recognized and most of them are located in the northern/centre sides of Italy. Before the second world war, these breeds were fundamental for the Italian food production and agriculture, because all of them were characterized by a double (milk and meat) or triple attitude (besides the milk and meat, these animals were used for the work, thanks to their great muscle efficiency). Unfortunately, the animal husbandry of the 21st century has brought a decline in biodiversity of bovine breeds, due to the abandonment of autochthonous cows in favor of more productive cosmopolitan breeds only following the milk production increase goal. Although the reduction of the number of the heads, many autochthonous cattle breeds show interesting characteristics. In the north of the Italy we found the Grey Alpine, the Cabannina, the Varzese, Friuli Red Spotted, Reggiana the Valdostana Red Pied and the Modenese, also called Bianca Val Padana. In our work we were focused on the Modenese. 

The objective of this study was to characterize some productive, reproductive and metabolic parameters (ketone bodies) in the Modenese breed, comparing them with those of Holstein breed in the same farm in order to understand if there is a different metabolic situation that can influence the reproductive performances.