This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between the postpartum body condition score (BCS) and colostral IgG, lipid metabolism, liver functions and oxidative stress parameters in dairy cows with BCSs of ≤3.5 and >3.5.

This investigation included 60 dairy cows of the same breed, that were 3-5 years old and had given two or more births in a dairy farm. Care was taken to ensure that the BCS changes of the cows were <0.5 from the dry period to calving.

In the 30 cows with a BCS of ≤3.5 within 24 hours of birth, the mean BCS level was 3.24±0.24 and the mean serum β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) level was 0.36±0.07. In the 30 cows with a BCS of >3.5 within 24 hours of birth, the mean BCS level was 3.96±0.14 and the mean serum BHBA level was 0.38±0.07.

Compared to the values determined in cows with a BCS >3.5, serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly lower, and triglyceride, albumin, SOD and colostral IgG levels were significantly higher in cows with a BCS of ≤3.5.

It was concluded that a BCS change of <0.5 from the drying period to parturition and a postpartum BCS of ≤3.5 in dairy cows would be beneficial for better management of the metabolic process, oxidative stress and high colostral IgG level.