Impact of propylene glycol supplementation during early postpartum period on serum me tabolites and reproductive performance in Nili-Ravi buffalo

• Muhammad Saleem Akhtar Department of Clinical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
• Rehman Khan Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
• Ejaz Ahmad Department of Clinical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
• Tanveer Ahmad Department of Clinical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
• Aijaz Ali Channa Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
• Muhammad Irfan ur Rehman Khan Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52973/rcfcv-wbc053

Keywords: propylene glycol, insulin, glucose, beta-hydroxy butyric acid, ketone bodies

Abstract

The present study investigated the effect of propylene glycol supplementation during the early postpartum period on serum metabolites in buffalo. Nili Ravi buffalo (n=25) were randomly assigned to one of two groups, i.e., Treatment Group (n=15) and Control Group (n=10). In the experimental group, propylene glycol (500 ml/  animal/ day) supplementation started from day 7 to day 50 postpartum. These animals were under observation for weekly measurements from 3 weeks pre-partum to 10 weeks postpartum. Blood sampling was done weekly for glucose, insulin, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid analysis. Propylene glycol supplementation did not affect body weight and milk yield (p> 0.05). Serum glucose and insulin concentration were significantly increased (p< 0.05), and ketone body levels were reduced (p< 0.05) shortly after propylene glycol supplementation. It was concluded that propylene glycol during the early lactation period in Nili-Ravi buffalo effectively increased serum glucose and insulin levels and lowered blood ketone body levels, which reduced the risk of ketosis.