Effects of the lactation on cellular energy supply and aging processes in dairy cows

• Applicant: Dr. Susanne Häußler
• Subject Area: Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition, Animal Husbandry
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 255417528

The high milk yield directly after lactation results in an increased metabolic activity in dairy cows leading to increased mobilization of adipose tissue depots. The metabolic stress is accompanied by increased incidences of metabolic and infection diseases as well as fertility dysfunctions. During early lactation the enhanced metabolic rate involved in aging processes, is probably important for ongoing shortened longevity and production period of dairy cows. Total fat mass of the fat depots is changed through mobilization of adipose tissue during early lactation, leading to smaller adipocytes and a decline of the amount of cells, the programmed cell death (apoptosis). Whether preferentially cell ageing -controlled by epigenetic processes- reduced energy supply or both leads to increased apoptosis is not known. Therefore, organs directly involved in metabolic and energetic processes (mammary gland, liver, adipose tissue) will be investigated due to their cellular energy supply and epigenetic (aging) processes. Comparing primiparous and pluriparous cows, the impact of high yielding, effected through milk synthesis, in dairy cows with increased production time and intensity will be identified.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants