Metabolic Factors at the Crossroads of Periparturient Immunity and Inflammation

Abstract

Periparturient cows have the highest risk for disease and culling in the adult dairy herd. This risk is compounded by the multiple physiological changes of metabolism and immune function occurring around calving that alter the cow's inflammatory response. In this article, the authors summarize the current knowledge on immunometabolism in the periparturient cow, discussing major changes in immune and metabolic function around parturition that will facilitate the assessment of periparturient cow management programs.

Keywords: Bovine immunometabolism; Periparturient inflammation; Periparturient period; Postpartum inflammatory dysregulation; Postpartum nutrient deficit.