Antioxidant Status in Relation to Body Condition Score in Periparfurient Crossbred Cows

Ten Karan Fries (KF) periparturient crossbred cows were selected from the herd of National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Karnal and divided in two groups of five each based on their body condition score as medium (3.5 to 4.5) and high (>4.5) body condition. Blood samples were collected on days 20, 10 and 5 before calving, day of calving and 5, 10 and 15 days after calving in the morning prior to feeding of the animals. The plasma samples were analyzed for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBRS) and minerals viz. Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn. Milk yield of both the groups was recorded for 100 days in milk (DIM). High BCS cows lost more body weight when compared to medium BCS after calving. Mean TBARS level increased from 6.24 to 8.90 and from 6.48 to 9.8 8 (nmol/ml) from 20 days before to 20 days after calving in medium and high BCS cows, respectively. There was no significant difference in levels of minerals in medium and high BCS cows. Total immunoglobulin level decreased in both the groups but percent decline was more in high BCS cows (11.5%) as compared to medium BCS (5%) cows. The milk production of 100 DIM was 18.96 and 16.97 kg, respectively in medium and high BCS cows.