Relationship between ovarian activity and energy status during the early postpartum period of high producing dairy cows.

The effect of energy status upon ovarian activity during early lactation was assessed in 54 multiparous Holstein cows. Dry matter intake and milk yield were measured daily from parturition through 9 wk of lactation. Milk composition and body weight were measured weekly during this time. Energy balance corrected for body weight loss was calculated weekly. Blood was collected via tail vein three times weekly and plasma analyzed for progesterone and nonesterified fatty acids. Fifteen cows were anestrus for the 9 wk based on their plasma progesterone (less than 1 ng/ml). These cows were compared with two cycling groups, one group of 25 cows showing corpus luteum activity within 40 d after parturition and a second group of 14 cows showing corpus luteum activity between 40 and 60 d postpartum. Anestrus cows ate less feed, produced less milk, and lost more body weight, resulting in a more negative energy status than cycling cows. Differences in energy balance among cow groups were greatest the first 3 wk postpartum. Anestrus cows and cows showing corpus luteum activity between d 40 and 60 obtained more energy from body reserves for milk production the first 2 wk of lactation, than cows cycling prior to d 40.