Relationship between nutritional management and body condition score in the pre-partum period
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i11.50015Keywords:
Nutritional management, Body condition score, Dairy cows, Pre-calving, Animal health.Abstract
The objective is to gather and critically analyze the available evidence on the relationship between nutritional management, body condition score (BCS), and its productive and reproductive effects in dairy cows during the pre-partum period. Body condition score (BCS) is an essential tool for assessing the nutritional status of dairy cows, especially during the pre-partum period, a phase marked by intense metabolic demands resulting from rapid fetal growth and the body's preparation for the onset of lactation. Literature shows that variations in BCS can directly impact the health, productivity, and reproductive performance of animals. Low BCS values are associated with lower milk production, delayed resumption of ovarian cyclicity, and increased susceptibility to metabolic diseases. Conversely, excessive values increase the risk of disorders such as ketosis and fatty liver, in addition to impairing dry matter intake postpartum. Therefore, continuous BCS monitoring combined with appropriate nutritional management strategies is essential to ensure health maintenance, optimize production, and guarantee reproductive efficiency. This integrative review compiles results from recent studies that explore the relationship between feeding management, ECC and its impact on the productive and reproductive performance of cows during the transition period, emphasizing the importance of nutritional balance as a preventive management tool.
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