Effects of increased dietary sugar and reduced rumen-undegradable protein during the transition period on production, metabolic, and immune parameters in dairy cows

Cangir Uyarlar; Ayşe Özcan; İsmail Bayram

doi:10.33988/auvfd.1833033

Effects of increased dietary sugar and reduced rumen-undegradable protein during the transition period on production, metabolic, and immune parameters in dairy cows

Abstract

Optimizing carbohydrate and protein fractions in transition dairy cow diets is critical for maintaining rumen function, health, and productivity. Although rations should be rich in starch and undegraded protein for high-yielding cows, this study examined the effects of reducing dietary starch and rumen-undegradable protein while increasing sugar and rumen-degradable protein (isocaloric and isonitrogenous) on milk yield, milk composition, and selected blood metabolic and immune parameters in transition dairy cows. Forty Holstein dairy cows, approximately 210 days pregnant, were divided into two groups, each consisting of 20 cows. The control (C) group was fed a standard ration, while the animals in the treatment group (T) were fed a ration containing reduced bypass protein content and increased sugar content. Weekly blood samples were collected throughout the study period. Following parturition, milk yield and milk composition were monitored regularly. In addition, feed intake was recorded and monitored during the study. Blood glucose concentration increased in the treatment group during the prepartum, parturition, and postpartum periods (P=0.0266, P=0.0307, P=0.0089). While IgG levels increased throughout the study (P<0.0001), NEFA levels decreased during the parturition and postpartum period. Additionally, Blood ürea nitrogen (BUN) levels decreased after parturition (P=0.0421). Milk yield was similar between the treatment and control groups. Postpartum feed consumption (P=0.0011) and milk fat (P=0.0017) were higher in the treatment group. In conclusion, increasing dietary sugar and reducing rumen-undegradable protein during the transition period improved indicators of energy metabolism, enhanced immune status, promoted feed intake, and increased milk fat content. This nutritional strategy may support metabolic health and productive performance in transition dairy cows.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Animal Science, Genetics and Biostatistics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Cangir Uyarlar
0000-0002-7803-2454
Türkiye

Ayşe Özcan This is me
0009-0008-8773-7844
Türkiye

İsmail Bayram ^*
0000-0002-5090-7474
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

September 11, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

December 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 9, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1833033

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA68EF65GC

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Uyarlar, C., Özcan, A., & Bayram, İ. (2026). Effects of increased dietary sugar and reduced rumen-undegradable protein during the transition period on production, metabolic, and immune parameters in dairy cows. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1833033

AMA

1.Uyarlar C, Özcan A, Bayram İ. Effects of increased dietary sugar and reduced rumen-undegradable protein during the transition period on production, metabolic, and immune parameters in dairy cows. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.33988/auvfd.1833033

Chicago

Uyarlar, Cangir, Ayşe Özcan, and İsmail Bayram. 2026. “Effects of Increased Dietary Sugar and Reduced Rumen-Undegradable Protein During the Transition Period on Production, Metabolic, and Immune Parameters in Dairy Cows”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1833033.

EndNote

Uyarlar C, Özcan A, Bayram İ (September 1, 2026) Effects of increased dietary sugar and reduced rumen-undegradable protein during the transition period on production, metabolic, and immune parameters in dairy cows. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi Advanced Online Publication

IEEE

[1]C. Uyarlar, A. Özcan, and İ. Bayram, “Effects of increased dietary sugar and reduced rumen-undegradable protein during the transition period on production, metabolic, and immune parameters in dairy cows”, Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, no. Advanced Online Publication, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.33988/auvfd.1833033.

ISNAD

Uyarlar, Cangir - Özcan, Ayşe - Bayram, İsmail. “Effects of Increased Dietary Sugar and Reduced Rumen-Undegradable Protein During the Transition Period on Production, Metabolic, and Immune Parameters in Dairy Cows”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. Advanced Online Publication (September 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1833033.

JAMA

1.Uyarlar C, Özcan A, Bayram İ. Effects of increased dietary sugar and reduced rumen-undegradable protein during the transition period on production, metabolic, and immune parameters in dairy cows. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1833033.

MLA

Uyarlar, Cangir, et al. “Effects of Increased Dietary Sugar and Reduced Rumen-Undegradable Protein During the Transition Period on Production, Metabolic, and Immune Parameters in Dairy Cows”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication, Sept. 2026, doi:10.33988/auvfd.1833033.

Vancouver

1.Cangir Uyarlar, Ayşe Özcan, İsmail Bayram. Effects of increased dietary sugar and reduced rumen-undegradable protein during the transition period on production, metabolic, and immune parameters in dairy cows. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026 Sep. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.33988/auvfd.1833033