ABSTRACT
The hypothesis of this study is that the combined use of butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin could enhance peripheral insulin resistance, increasing the amount of glucose available for the mammary gland and milk production. Thus, our aim was to investigate the combined effects of butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin on the glucose metabolism in dairy cows during the postpartum period. Twenty one dairy cows were divided into two groups: Control Group (CON, n= 11), that received 5 injections of saline solution (20mL/animal 0.9 % NaCl), and Catosal group (ABC, n= 10) which received 5 injections of 20mL of a Butafosfan and Cyanocobalamin solution (Catosal(r) B12, 100mg of Butafosfan and 50µg Cyanocobalamin for mL). The injections were performed by intramuscular route, on days 7, 12, 17, 22 and 27 postpartum. Blood samples were taken on these days to evaluate plasma concentrations of phosphorus, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK). On days 8 and 28 postpartum, the animals were weighted and subjected to the glucose tolerance and insulin challenge tests. The treatment promoted weight loss (ABC 40.4kg, CON 10.73kg, P< 0.05) and increased AST (ABC 62.92 ±3.31U/L, CON 53.11 ±3.49U/L, P< 0.05) and CK levels (ABC 134.09 ±19.08U/L, CON 79.43 ±18.27U/L). Glucose metabolism (area under the curve) did not differ (P> 0.05) among groups on days 8 and 28; however, ABC animals showed higher serum glucose levels (P< 0.05) after insulin administration on day 28 postpartum (97.54 ±8.54mg/dL) when compared to day 8 (83.01 ±8.54mg/dL). It could be concluded that the combined use of butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin interferes positively with the adaptation of glucose metabolism in dairy cows in early lactation.
Keywords:
energetic metabolism; organic phosphorus; insulin resistance; dairy cows
