REFERENCE : Barragan AA et al. Effects of postpartum acetylsalicylic acid on metabolic status, health, and production in lactating dairy cattle. J.Dairy Sci 2020, 103 https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17966.

BACKGROUND

Calving is a real challenge for a cow. Acetonemia and hypocalcemia are present. These metabolic pathologies will reduce the immune defense capacities and thus expose the animal to uterine or mammary infections.

Reducing inflammation would seem to be a strategy for preventing postpartum pathologies. Except that inflammation can be necessary, the expulsion of the placenta is an example. The use of meglumine flunixin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) increases the incidence of placental retention.

The use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, i.e., aspirin) administered by injection or intravenously for 2 to 7 days helps to increase milk production and, according to some authors, to reduce the concentration of haptoglobin, a marker of inflammation.

The authors of this study propose to study the effects of a double administration of ASA on milk production, inflammation and postpartum pathologies.

The study involved 74 primiparous and 157 pluriparous Holsteins producing an average of 11,1543 kg of milk per year (3 daily milkings and total mixed ration).

The treatment consisted of 4 doses of 200 mg/kg of ASA administered per os (lance bolus) at 12 hour intervals, the first dose being administered 12 hours after parturition.

THEIR OBSERVATIONS

• Pluriparous cows produced 1.64 kg more milk per day (41.6 vs 40.0 kg/d: P<0.04).
• The treatment had no effect on the milk production of primiparous cows (30.9 vs 31.5 kg/d).
• Treatment had no effect on total useful matter, fat or protein in 305 days.
• Treatment was accompanied by a lower BHB concentration (0.99 mmol/L vs 1 .16 mmol/L: P < 0.02).
• Treatment had no significant effect on haptoglobin concentration assessed 7 (234 ± 66.71 µg/mL vs 211 ± 62.87 µg/mL in untreated cows) or 30 hours (159 ± 37.79 µg/mL vs 173 ± 42.66 µg/mL in untreated cows) after calving.
• Treatment had no effect on rumination, frequency of hyperthermia (> 39.5°C), dystocia, milk conductivity, retained placenta, milk fever, displaced abomasum, acetonemia, metritis, mastitis, pneumonia, lameness, or digestive problem.

MORALITY

Does the benefit offset the cost of the extra work involved in this preventive treatment ?