Utilization of muscle tissue in periparturient dairy cattle as assessed by ultrasonographic measurement of muscle thickness and plasma creatinine concentration

Abstract

High producing dairy cattle experience a state of negative energy balance in early lactation. Dairy cattle address this metabolic challenge by increasing the rate of fat and protein mobilization. Previous studies have emphasized the rate of fat mobilization and consequently the rate of protein mobilization has not been fully investigated. The primary objective of this study was therefore to characterize the change in muscle mass during early lactation using ultrasonography and plasma creatinine concentration (creatinine).