Effect of diet, energy balance and milk production on oxidative stress in early-lactating dairy cows grazing pasture

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of diet, energy balance and milk production on oxidative stress in early-lactating, Holstein–Friesian dairy cows fed to produce either low or high levels of milk. Indicators of energy balance (non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose and insulin-like growth factor-1) and indicators of oxidative stress (reactive oxygen metabolites and biological antioxidants) were measured in the first 5 weeks of lactation. Energy balance indicators showed that high producing animals had a lower degree of negative energy balance. Diet was found to have an indirect effect on the level of oxidative stress. Factors associated with a high level of oxidative stress were severe negative energy balance (mean −71 ± 6.85 27 MJ/cow/day, P < 0.05) and lower levels of milk production (mean 26.4 ± 0.07 28 L/cow/day, P < 0.05). Further studies will be required to more precisely determine the specific effects of diet, energy balance and milk production on such stress in dairy cows and to establish normal ranges for these biomarkers.