Molecular Correlates in Liver and Adipose Tissue During Periparturient Diseases in Dairy Cows 

Funded by Section 1433 - Animal Health & Disease (2004-2006)

Objectives: The overall objective is to determine the metabolic mechanisms for enhanced mobilization of body fat and alterations of liver metabolism associated with metabolic and infectious diseases in dairy cows around parturition.  Our hypothesis is that overfeeding, even without obesity, increases local production of TNFα and other adipokines by adipocytes, particularly in internal adipose depots, that in turn increase lipolysis and cause alterations in liver metabolism.

Specific objectives are 1)To determine whether steady-state concentrations of mRNA for several adipokines (TNFα, IL-6, leptin) and transcription factors (PPARα, PPARγ) in subcutaneous and internal adipose tissue are affected by overfeeding or underfeeding during late pregnancy, and 2) To determine global gene expression patterns in adipose tissue (internal and subcutaneous) and liver during the late dry period and early postpartum.

Potential benefits:  Excessive mobilization of body lipid is associated with periparturient diseases in dairy cows.  Determination of factors responsible for enhanced lipolysis, such as the novel factors proposed here, might lead to better recommendations for nutrition and management during the dry period to decrease health problems around parturition.  Investigation of the effects of prepartum nutritional management on control of adipose tissue metabolism and liver metabolism is an important extension of our recent work in this area, and represents a potentially major advancement in the way dairy cows are managed during the dry period to minimize health problems.  The ultimate benefits of research in this area will be improved health and well-being of dairy cows and increased profitability of dairy enterprises in Illinois and beyond.