Effects of α-Ketoglutarate Peripartum Supplementation on Reproductive, Lactational, Productive and Immunological Outcomes in Dairy Cows

In dairy cow, the peripartum metabolic stage is critical as may affect post-partum metabolic and reproductive recovery, colostrum quality, and overall reproductive fitness. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying doses of α-ketoglutarate (AKG) on lactation performance, reproductive perfo...

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Main Authors: Peng Wang, Xin Hu, Xiang’ao Shan, Jiarui Gao, Fei Guo, Bingyuan Wang, Guoshi Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/8/1110
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author Peng Wang
Xin Hu
Xiang’ao Shan
Jiarui Gao
Fei Guo
Bingyuan Wang
Guoshi Liu
author_facet Peng Wang
Xin Hu
Xiang’ao Shan
Jiarui Gao
Fei Guo
Bingyuan Wang
Guoshi Liu
author_sort Peng Wang
collection DOAJ
description In dairy cow, the peripartum metabolic stage is critical as may affect post-partum metabolic and reproductive recovery, colostrum quality, and overall reproductive fitness. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying doses of α-ketoglutarate (AKG) on lactation performance, reproductive performance, immune function, and antioxidant capacity in periparturient dairy cows. A total of 180 periparturient dairy cows were randomly assigned to four groups, with each cow receiving 1 g, 5 g, or 10 g of AKG in their prepartum diets. Results indicated that feeding 5 g and 10 g of AKG significantly increased the colostrum fat and protein content, reduced somatic cell counts, and improved daily milk yield. Regarding reproduction, AKG supplementation regulated reproductive hormones, increased postpartum estrogen levels, improved conception rates, and shortened the interval between breeding periods. For immune and antioxidant functions, AKG significantly increased serum IL-10 levels while reducing TNF-α and interleukins 1β and 6. It also significantly elevated glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels, reducing oxidative stress and demonstrating anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Additionally, cows receiving medium-to-high doses of AKG had a significantly lower incidence of postpartum diseases such as mastitis. In conclusion, appropriate AKG supplementation can improve lactation performance, reproductive performance, immune function, and overall health in periparturient dairy cows, providing a theoretical basis for its use in dairy cow nutrition management.
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spelling doaj-art-70f7c43d295f4b4b86196b95ca61a6282025-08-20T02:28:19ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-04-01158111010.3390/ani15081110Effects of α-Ketoglutarate Peripartum Supplementation on Reproductive, Lactational, Productive and Immunological Outcomes in Dairy CowsPeng Wang0Xin Hu1Xiang’ao Shan2Jiarui Gao3Fei Guo4Bingyuan Wang5Guoshi Liu6Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agricultural, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaBeijing Changping District Animal Disease Prevention and Control Centre, Beijing 102200, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agricultural, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agricultural, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agricultural, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agricultural, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agricultural, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaIn dairy cow, the peripartum metabolic stage is critical as may affect post-partum metabolic and reproductive recovery, colostrum quality, and overall reproductive fitness. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying doses of α-ketoglutarate (AKG) on lactation performance, reproductive performance, immune function, and antioxidant capacity in periparturient dairy cows. A total of 180 periparturient dairy cows were randomly assigned to four groups, with each cow receiving 1 g, 5 g, or 10 g of AKG in their prepartum diets. Results indicated that feeding 5 g and 10 g of AKG significantly increased the colostrum fat and protein content, reduced somatic cell counts, and improved daily milk yield. Regarding reproduction, AKG supplementation regulated reproductive hormones, increased postpartum estrogen levels, improved conception rates, and shortened the interval between breeding periods. For immune and antioxidant functions, AKG significantly increased serum IL-10 levels while reducing TNF-α and interleukins 1β and 6. It also significantly elevated glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels, reducing oxidative stress and demonstrating anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Additionally, cows receiving medium-to-high doses of AKG had a significantly lower incidence of postpartum diseases such as mastitis. In conclusion, appropriate AKG supplementation can improve lactation performance, reproductive performance, immune function, and overall health in periparturient dairy cows, providing a theoretical basis for its use in dairy cow nutrition management.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/8/1110periparturient dairy cowsα-ketoglutaratereproductive performancelactation performanceimmunity and antioxidation
spellingShingle Peng Wang
Xin Hu
Xiang’ao Shan
Jiarui Gao
Fei Guo
Bingyuan Wang
Guoshi Liu
Effects of α-Ketoglutarate Peripartum Supplementation on Reproductive, Lactational, Productive and Immunological Outcomes in Dairy Cows
Animals
periparturient dairy cows
α-ketoglutarate
reproductive performance
lactation performance
immunity and antioxidation
title Effects of α-Ketoglutarate Peripartum Supplementation on Reproductive, Lactational, Productive and Immunological Outcomes in Dairy Cows
title_full Effects of α-Ketoglutarate Peripartum Supplementation on Reproductive, Lactational, Productive and Immunological Outcomes in Dairy Cows
title_fullStr Effects of α-Ketoglutarate Peripartum Supplementation on Reproductive, Lactational, Productive and Immunological Outcomes in Dairy Cows
title_full_unstemmed Effects of α-Ketoglutarate Peripartum Supplementation on Reproductive, Lactational, Productive and Immunological Outcomes in Dairy Cows
title_short Effects of α-Ketoglutarate Peripartum Supplementation on Reproductive, Lactational, Productive and Immunological Outcomes in Dairy Cows
title_sort effects of α ketoglutarate peripartum supplementation on reproductive lactational productive and immunological outcomes in dairy cows
topic periparturient dairy cows
α-ketoglutarate
reproductive performance
lactation performance
immunity and antioxidation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/8/1110
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