Esposito, GiuliaIrons, Pete CharlesWebb, E.C. (Edward Cottington)Chapwanya, Aspinas2014-02-272014-02-272014-01Esposito, G, Irons, PC, Webb, EC & Chapwanya, A 2014, ' Interactions between negative energy balance, metabolic diseases, uterine health and immune response in transition dairy cows', Animal Reproduction Science, vol. 144, no. 3-4, pp. 60-71.0378-4320 (print)1873-2232 (online)10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.11.0076603165622O-6401-2014http://hdl.handle.net/2263/36828The biological cycles of milk production and reproduction determine dairying profitability thus making management decisions dynamic and time-dependent. Diseases also negatively impact on net earnings of a dairy enterprise. Transition cows in particular face the challenge of negative energy balance (NEB) and/or disproportional energy metabolism (fatty liver, ketosis, subacute, acute ruminal acidosis); disturbed mineral utilization (milk fever, sub-clinical hypocalcemia); and perturbed immune function (retained placenta, metritis, mastitis). Consequently NEB and reduced dry matter intake are aggravated. The combined effects of all these challenges are reduced fertility and milk production resulting in diminishing profits. Risk factors such as NEB, inflammation and impairment of the immune response are highly cause-and-effect related. Thus, managing cows during the transition period should be geared toward reducing NEB or feeding specially formulated diets to improve immunity. Given that all cows experience a reduced feed intake and body condition, infection and inflammation of the uterus after calving, there is a need for further research on the immunology of transition dairy cows. Integrative approaches at the molecular, cellular and animal level may unravel the complex interactions between disturbed metabolism and immune function that predispose cows to periparturient diseases.en© 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Animal Reproduction Science. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Animal Reproduction Science, vol.144, no. 3-4, pp.60-71. 2014. doi : 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.11.007PUFAMetritisEndometritisTransition cowsNegative energy balance (NEB)UCTDCowsMetabolic disorders in animalsBioenergeticsCattle -- DiseasesDairy cattlePostprint Article