Non-fiber carbohydrate deficiency impairs glucose and elevates liver enzymes activity in lactating dairy cows

To support milk yield, dairy cows are generally fed using a grain diet containing higher non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) particles to meet the demand for energy and nutrients. Therefore, the lower NFC in the diet might impar milk production and induce metabolic disorders, like hypoglycemia, hyperketonemia, fatty liver syndrome, and other multiple metabolic disorders. This study aimed to investigate the restriction effect of NFC level in the diet on blood biochemicals, such as glucose and SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) profiles in lactating dairy cows. Furthermore, sixten mid-lactating small-breed dairy cows were divided into two different groups, HNFC, and LNFC groups, containing 28.66% and 17.22 % NFC levels in the diet, respectively during the experiment. The tendential difference was noted (P=0.06) in NFC intake, whereby, dairy cows subjected HNFC diets showed higher NFC intake compared to other groups. Hereinafter, data revealed no significant difference was pronounced in glucose concentrations in both groups, nevertheless, the hypoglycemia incidence was noticed in LNFC cows (39.5 mg/dL). Furthermore, a higher SGPT level was tendentially pronounced in LNFC cows compared to their counterparts (P = 0.06; 28 vs 22.5 U/L)). Data suggest that dairy cows receiving LNFC diet-induced mild hypoglycemia but without affecting liver health.