EFFECT OF PREPARTUM PROPYLENE-GLYCOL ADMINISTRATION ON PERIPARTURIENTFATTY LIVER IN DAIRY-COWS

Plasma glucose concentration during late gestation was thought to be i mportant for the development of fatty liver near parturition. Thirteen multiparous cows were given a 1-L oral drench of propylene glycol onc e daily beginning 10 +/- 3.6 d prepartum until parturition. Eleven con trol cows received a 1-L water drench. Plasma glucose increased follow ing propylene glycol administration. Plasma NEFA concentration was 403 and 234 muM, and plasma insulin concentrations were .354 and .679 ng/ ml, for control cows and cows treated with propylene glycol measured f rom 1 to 7 d prepartum. Plasma NEFA tended to be lower in cows treated with propylene glycol from 1 to 21 d postpartum. Prepartum propylene glycol administration reduced hepatic triglyceride accumulation by 32 and 42% at 1 and 21 d postpartum, respectively. Prepartum plasma BHBA was reduced during propylene glycol administration. Prepartum plasma g lucose, NEFA, BHBA, and insulin were strongly correlated with liver tr iglyceride at 1 d postpartum (r = -.49, .45, .36, and -.49, respective ly). Pre- and postpartum DMI were not affected by treatment. Milk prod uction and composition measured through 21 d postpartum were not diffe rent between groups.