The transition period in dairy cows, spanning from the final weeks of pregnancy to the early weeks of lactation, is a critical moment in their production cycle. During this time, cows undergo significant metabolic changes to adapt to milk production, often leading to energy imbalance. This triggers the mobilization of body reserves, especially adipose tissue, in the form of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs).
The liver, responsible for oxidizing these NEFAs to generate energy, can become overwhelmed, leading to the production of ketone bodies or re-esterification of NEFAs into triglycerides. While these processes are natural in the cow’s metabolism, they are frequently associated with metabolic disorders such as fatty liver, ketosis, hypocalcemia, or displaced abomasum.
In this context, certain essential nutrients play a pivotal role in mitigating these risks and supporting cow performance during this critical phase. Nutrients such as methionine, choline, betaine, and B vitamins are vital for energy and protein metabolism in ruminants. Methionine, in addition to being an essential amino acid for milk protein synthesis, also acts as a methyl donor, which is crucial for the formation of phosphatidylcholines, a key component in lipid transport in the liver. This process help prevent hepatic fat accumulation and enhances lipid transport to the mammary gland for milk fat production. B vitamins such as B2 and B12 are essential for converting propionate into succinyl-CoA, a crucial step in cellular energy generation.
Given the high degradation of these nutrients in the rumen, microencapsulation technology is required to protect these compounds and ensure they reach the intestine in their active form for optimal absorption.
Zang et al., 2019 have shown that co-supplementation of methionine, choline, betaine, and B vitamins reduces liver lipid content while increasing plasma methionine availability.
These nutrients not only help prevent metabolic diseases but also directly increase milk quantity and quality, with significant increases in fat-corrected milk (FCM) production. Fertility is also positively impacted, as these nutrients reduce metabolic stress, improve reproductive cyclicity and enhance conception rates.
MecoVit® is a combination microencapsulated methyl donors and B vitamins designed to meet the nutritional needs of dairy cows during the transition period.
Implementing this nutritional strategy not only improves cow health and performance but also contributes to the profitability and sustainability of dairy farms.
