A Field Trial on the Effect of Propylene Glycol on Displaced Abomasum, Removal from Herd, and Reproduction in Fresh Cows Diagnosed with Subclinical Ketosis

Abstract

Dairy cows that suffer from subclinical ketosis (SCK), defined as an excess of circulating ketone bodies without clinical signs of ketosis, are at an increased risk of other parturient diseases such as displaced abomasum (DA) and metritis. Additionally, excess blood ketone bodies, commonly measured as beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), have been associated with a decrease in reproductive efficiency. Propylene glycol (PG) is known to be anti-ketogenic by increasing plasma glucose concentrations and lowering non-esterified fatty acid and liver triglyceride levels, resulting in a decrease of plasma BHBA. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of oral PG administration on development of DA and removal from herd in the first 30 days-in-milk (DIM), conception to first service, and days from voluntary waiting period (VWP) to conception within 150 DIM in cows diagnosed with SCK.