Effect of oral administration of propylene glycol during periparturient period on blood biochemical parameters and liver triacylglycerol accumulation in postparturient dairy cows

Abstract

Effect of propylene glycol administered during the periparturient period on blood biochemical parameters and liver 
triacylglycerol accumulation was studied in 35 dairy cows. Sixteen control cows were drenched with 400 ml of water 
per day starting from 7 days before expected calving date to 7 days after calving, while 19 treated cows were 
drenched with 400 ml of propylene glycol. Body condition scores and milk yield were recorded. Blood samples were 
collected at 2 weeks prepartum and at 2 and 4 weeks postpartum. Liver samples were collected at 2 weeks 
prepartum and 4 weeks postpartum. Control cows tended to lose more body condition scores than did treated cows 
during the first 4 weeks of lactation. Milk yield did not differ between control and treated cows. Serum nonesterified 
fatty acids concentrations in control cows were significantly higher than the concentrations in treated cows at 2 and 
4 weeks postpartum. Serum glucose, triacylglycerol and urea nitrogen concentrations did not differ between the two 
groups at all sampling periods. Liver triacylglycerol concentrations were similar between 2 groups at 2 weeks 
prepartum. The concentrations in both groups increased at 2 weeks postpartum, and were significantly higher in 
control cows than in treated cows. Propylene glycol had an advantage to reduce adipose tissue lipolysis 
postpartum; as a consequence, reducing liver triacylglycerol accumulation.