An Exploration of the Effects of an Early Postpartum Intravenous Infusion with Carnosic Acid on Physiological Responses of Transition Dairy Cows

• Main Authors: Tainara Cristina Michelotti (Author), Erminio Trevisi (Author), Johan S. Osorio (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2021-09-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.3390/antiox10091478; 2076-3921
• Keywords: peripartum; oxidative stress; carnosic acid; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Antioxidants, Vol 10, Iss 9, p 1478 (2021)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound found in rosemary plants (<i>Salvia rosmarinus</i>) named carnosic acid during the transition period of dairy cows. From day 1 to 3 after calving, 16 multiparous Holstein cows received a daily intravenous infusion of either 500 mL of saline (NaCl 0.9%; Saline; <i>n</i> = 8) or carnosic acid at a rate of 0.3 mg/kg of BW supplied in 500 mL of saline (CA; <i>n</i> = 8). Blood samples were taken at -7, 2, 5, 7, 14, and 21 d relative to parturition, then analyzed for metabolites related to energy metabolism, muscle mass catabolism, liver function, inflammation, and oxidative stress. CA infusion tended to improve milk performance; however, DMI was unaffected by treatment. At 2 d relative to parturition, CA cows had lower blood concentrations of haptoglobin, paraoxonase, FRAP, and NO₂^- than saline cows. After treatment infusions, haptoglobin remained lower in CA cows than saline at 5 d relative to parturition. Our results demonstrate that carnosic acid promoted positive responses on inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers and may promote beneficial effects on lactation performance in peripartal dairy cows.