Effects of Preventive Administration of Propylene Glycol or Sucrose in Dairy Cows with Elevated Blood Non-Esterified Fatty Acids During the Close-Up Period

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preventive effects of propylene glycol (PG) or sucrose (SC) in dairy cows with high levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) during the close-up period. From July 2021 to August 2022, blood samples were collected from 193 cows between 14 and 7 days prior to the expected calving date in two farms, and 35 multiparous cows with serum NEFA ≥ 0.3 mEq/L were randomly assigned to PG (500 mL/day, <i>n</i> = 11), SC (1000 mL/day of 50% solution, <i>n</i> = 11), and untreated control (HC; <i>n</i> = 13) groups. Treatments were administered orally for 5 consecutive days. Compared with HC cows, the serum NEFA concentration tended to be lower in SC cows at 3 days in milk (DIM) and was significantly lower in PG cows at 14 DIM. Serum β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations tended to be lower in SC cows at 21 DIM. Blood glucose concentrations were higher in both treatment groups at 3 DIM, and the serum total bilirubin concentration remained lower until 14 DIM in PG cows and until 7 DIM in SC cows. At 7 DIM, PG cows showed significantly higher total very low-density lipoprotein levels and PG and SC cows had significantly or tendentially higher low-density lipoprotein triglyceride concentrations. Cows in both treatment groups had significantly reduced culling after calving. These results suggest that prophylactic administration of PG or SC improves energy metabolism by supporting liver function, thereby reducing postpartum culling, with the PG group showing a more consistent effect.