THE ROLE OF KETONES ON ENERGY METABOLISM, MILK PRODUCTION, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERIPARTAL DISEASE IN DAIRY COWS

Our long-term goal is to improve the productive lifespan of dairy cows via an enhanced understanding of cow biology and metabolism. Our research will build a strong foundation for the development of novel and effective management strategies to increase production efficiency, and thus promote the sustainability of the dairy industry.With this research project, we aim to unveil the factors that predispose cows to reduced milk production performance and increased disease propensity during ketosis. Our investigation will allow the comprehensive understanding of factors leading to metabolic dysfunction and will specifically elucidate the role of ketosis in this context. Our specific goals are the following:1. Identify the metabolic, physiological, and behavioral phenotypes that distinguish and predict normal or aberrant trajectories of health and milk production during ketosis.2.Evaluate the effects of induced ketosis with or without concurrent hyperlipidemia and inflammation on cow metabolism, productivity, and health3.Evaluate the ability of ketones to improve the metabolic adaptation to energy deficit during peripartum, and thus to prevent metabolic dysfunction and its sequelae