Partitioning Dynamics of Nutrients in Transition Dairy Cows: Metabolic, Hormonal, and Cellular Mechanisms Affecting Lactation and Fertility

Notice

This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2026 | Volume : 3 | 01 | Page :
    By

    Md. Emran Hossain,

  1. Professor, Department of Animal Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh

Abstract

This review critically examines nutrient partitioning dynamics in dairy cows during the transition phase, a period that profoundly affects lactation and reproductive performance. During this phase, cows experience extensive physiological changes that alter nutrient requirements and utilization, making effective management essential for health and productivity. The review synthesizes current research on mechanisms of nutrient partitioning, with particular attention to energy, protein, and mineral balance, which are crucial for optimizing milk yield, milk composition, and reproductive success. Proper nutrient management helps prevent negative energy balance, a common issue that can reduce milk production and impair reproductive efficiency. Metabolic disorders, including ketosis and milk fever, are discussed to highlight the importance of adequate nutrient provision in mitigating health risks. Environmental and management factors, such as housing, feeding strategies, and stress, are also examined, demonstrating the need for integrated approaches that address both nutrition and welfare. The review identifies gaps in existing knowledge, emphasizing opportunities for developing more precise feeding strategies and alternative feed resources to improve nutrient availability and utilization. Future research directions include the application of precision nutrition and the evaluation of novel feed ingredients to enhance transition-phase outcomes. By improving understanding of nutrient partitioning, dairy producers can implement strategies that support sustainable production, promote animal welfare, and increase economic efficiency. This comprehensive overview provides a foundation for advancing both scientific research and practical approaches in dairy cow nutrition and management, offering insights that are vital for optimizing performance during the critical transition period.

Keywords: Cellular signaling, endocrine regulation, fertility disorders, lactation performance, metabolic adaptation, nutrient partitioning, transition dairy cows.

How to cite this article:
Md. Emran Hossain. Partitioning Dynamics of Nutrients in Transition Dairy Cows: Metabolic, Hormonal, and Cellular Mechanisms Affecting Lactation and Fertility. International Journal of Nutritions. 2026; 03(01):-.
How to cite this URL:
Md. Emran Hossain. Partitioning Dynamics of Nutrients in Transition Dairy Cows: Metabolic, Hormonal, and Cellular Mechanisms Affecting Lactation and Fertility. International Journal of Nutritions. 2026; 03(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijn/article=2026/view=240270


References

  1. M. J. Ashar, P. A. Gonzalez-Rivas, F. R. Dunshea, C. D. Marth, and …, “Integrative Insights into Metabolic, Oxidative, and Immune Adaptations During the Transition Period in Dairy Cows: Revisiting Nutritional Strategies and …,” 2026, mdpi.com. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2624-862X/7/1/15
  2. J. Habel and A. Sundrum, “Mismatch of glucose allocation between different life functions in the transition period of dairy cows,” 2020, mdpi.com. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/6/1028
  3. A. Sundrum, “Metabolic disorders in the transition period indicate that the dairy cows’ ability to adapt is overstressed,” Animals, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 978–1020, 2015, doi: 10.3390/ani5040395.
  4. S. Mann, “Transition Cow Metabolism In Relation To Plane Of Energy Prepartum,” 2016, ecommons.cornell.edu. [Online]. Available: https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/43711/1/sm682.pdf
  5. D. Kour, D. Sharma, V. K. Sharma, and M. S. Mahesh, “Additives and Nutritional Supplements for Transition Cows,” Feed Addit. …, 2024, doi: 10.1007/978-981-97-0794-2_15.
  6. R. S. Marques, Evaluation of oxidative stress and immunity in holstein cows supplemented with macro and trace minerals during the transition period. teses.usp.br, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/10/10136/tde-05052023-115057/en.php
  7. T. Yasui, Nutritional implications for oxidative status, immune function, and energy metabolism in transition dairy cows and relationships with postpartum performance …. search.proquest.com, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://search.proquest.com/openview/301615f991ae8516c1285a4f3f19e991/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750
  8. C. McCabe, An Evaluation of Tissue Mobilization and Chronic Circadian Disruptions in Transition Dairy Cows. search.proquest.com, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://search.proquest.com/openview/0e58828dd5d3ff63e4a3faa6e1b523ef/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
  9. K. Gouveia, … Glucose Metabolism Responses Related to Late Gestational Muscle Reserves and Supplementation of Branched-Chain Volatile Fatty Acids in Transition Dairy Cattle. search.proquest.com, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://search.proquest.com/openview/2c9260bcd162fddf867642f716974507/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
  10. C. R. Mullins, Feeding behavior and metabolism of transition dairy cows supplemented with monensin. search.proquest.com, 2011. [Online]. Available: https://search.proquest.com/openview/699e706a121b8b2a7fcb492b7431570e/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750
  11. C. Losacco, G. Pugliese, L. Forte, V. Tufarelli, and …, “Digital transition as a driver for sustainable tailor-made farm management: An up-to-date overview on precision livestock farming,” 2025, mdpi.com. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/13/1383
  12. J. E. van Eys and S. Moreland, “Nutrition and Immune Status of the Transition Cow; the Potential of Feed Additives.” [Online]. Available: https://archivio2021-2022.ruminantia.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/SNMC2015.pdf
  13. R. C. Oliveira, Prepartum CLA or Postpartum Ammonium Lactate Supplementation Improves Blood Metabolite Profile and Lactation Performance in Transition Dairy Cows. search.proquest.com, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://search.proquest.com/openview/a0ce0e9d34255a710619677281c7b851/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
  14. B. Kotsampasi, M. A. Karatzia, D. Tsiokos, and S. Chadio, “Nutritional Strategies to Alleviate Stress and Improve Welfare in Dairy Ruminants,” Animals, vol. 14, no. 17, p. 2573, 2024, doi: 10.3390/ani14172573.
  15. M. Li et al., “Rumen microbiota modulates metabolic stress in high-yield dairy cows: insights from early to peak lactation,” 2026, Springer. doi: 10.1186/s40168-025-02318-0.
  16. A. Freire-Regatillo, P. Argente-Arizon, and …, “Non-neuronal cells in the hypothalamic adaptation to metabolic signals,” 2017, frontiersin.org. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00051.
  17. E. Gagniuc, A. M. Pîrvu, D. I. Nastac, P. A. Gagniuc, and …, “Adipocyte mitochondria in dairy cows reveals constraints in growth and signals adaptive metabolic responses,” 2025, nature.com. [Online]. Available: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-12910-x
  18. B. A. Useni, C. J. C. Muller, and C. W. Cruywagen, “Pre-and postpartum effects of starch and fat in dairy cows: A review,” S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci., vol. 48, no. 3, pp. 413–426, 2018, doi: 10.4314/sajas.v48i3.2.
  19. C. D. Wray-Cahen, D. E. Kerr, and …, “Redefining body composition: nutrients, hormones, and genes in meat production,” … Rev. Nutr., 1998, doi: 10.1146/annurev.nutr.18.1.63.
  20. A. A. A. Aboragah, Molecular and biochemical analyses of the role of nutrition and body condition in Holstein cows and the developing fetus. ideals.illinois.edu, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/items/126601
  21. A. Rodríguez, R. Mellado, and H. Bustamante, “Prepartum fat mobilization in dairy cows with equal body condition and its impact on health, behavior, milk production and fertility during lactation,” 2020, mdpi.com. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/9/1478
  22. J. L. Firkins, “Viewing a role for isoacids in dairy nutrition through a new lens,” 2023, ecommons.cornell.edu. [Online]. Available: https://ecommons.cornell.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/3dcd224d-12f4-40a7-a763-d4c99afb2a16/content
  23. G. M. Crovetto, Energy and protein metabolism and nutrition. books.google.com, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=DM77EAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA4&dq=rethinking+partitioning+dynamics+of+nutrients+in+transition+cows+integrating+metabolic+hormonal+and+cellular+mechanisms+influencing&ots=h6ASiJ5ssV&sig=DcWXj6l-L0VenkyWNa3Qqb0HyNA
  24. V. Brisson, “Mathematical Modelling to Predict B-Vitamins Supply in Dairy Cows,” 2022, atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca. [Online]. Available: https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/bitstream/10214/27223/1/Brisson_Vicki_202209_MSc.pdf
  25. E. N. Ponnampalam, A. Kiani, S. Santhiravel, and …, “The importance of dietary antioxidants on oxidative stress, meat and milk production, and their preservative aspects in farm animals: Antioxidant action, animal …,” 2022, mdpi.com. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/23/3279
  26. C. Castillo, A. Abuelo, and J. Hernández, “Biotechnological approaches to improve sustainable milk and meat yield in bovines,” 2017, researchgate.net. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Angel-Abuelo/publication/318707180_Biotechnological_Approaches_to_Improve_Sustainable_Milk_and_Meat_Yield_in_Bovines/links/5ee22994a6fdcc73be703b15/Biotechnological-Approaches-to-Improve-Sustainable-Milk-and-Meat-Yield-in-Bovines.pdf
  27. W. P. Wasana, M. Waterland, D. W. Everett, and C. Thum, “Functional Significance of Probiotic Bacterial Interactions with Milk Fat Globules in a Human Host,” 2025, mdpi.com. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/2/223
  28. I. Adriaens, W. Saeys, B. De Ketelaere, and S. Piepers, “Data-based monitoring of dairy cows-milk progesterone as a mirror of fertility,” 2018, lirias.kuleuven.be. [Online]. Available: https://lirias.kuleuven.be/retrieve/945a92e1-6ca0-4c42-bfb6-94396174258a
  29. L. H. Chen, M. S. Hedemann, S. Purup, and …, “The impact of microbial-derived metabolites on gut function in weaned piglets under different levels of dietary crude protein and a surplus of dietary amino acids,” … Protein Metab. …, 2025, [Online]. Available: https://pure.au.dk/portal/en/publications/the-impact-of-microbial-derived-metabolites-on-gut-function-in-we/
  30. Z. Husseini and C. Gilbert, “Milk‐Derived Extracellular Vesicles and microRNAs: Potential Modulators of Intestinal Homeostasis,” FASEB J., 2025, doi: 10.1096/fj.202501630R.
  31. P. Piantoni and M. J. VandeHaar, “Symposium review: The impact of absorbed nutrients on energy partitioning throughout lactation,” 2023, Elsevier. [Online]. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030222007512
  32. S. M. Alhojaily, The Effect of Lactation and Energy Status on Gene Expression in the Main Reproductive Tissues of Lactating Dairy Cattle. search.proquest.com, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://search.proquest.com/openview/04143e55c7491bd9704611a4d2cf5537/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
  33. J. B. Rafael, LSTM models to support the selective antibiotic treatment strategy of dairy cows in the dry period. search.proquest.com, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://search.proquest.com/openview/e023011733dd092d952578b2b471d917/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2026366&diss=y
  34. R. J. Collier, L. H. Baumgard, A. L. Lock, and …, “Physiological limitations, nutrient partitioning,” 2005, academia.edu. [Online]. Available: https://www.academia.edu/download/41804090/NUTRIENT_PARTITIONING_AND_MILK_YIELD_CON20160131-32167-1cj7qfn.pdf
  35. M. Maheswari, A. Das, M. Datta, and A. K. Tyagi, “Supplementation of tropical seaweed-based formulations improves antioxidant status, immunity and milk production in lactating Murrah buffaloes,” J. Appl. Phycol., 2021, doi: 10.1007/s10811-021-02473-5.
  36. A. Casal, M. Garcia-Roche, A. Cassina, P. Soca, and …, “Cow–calf efficiency of beef cows grazing different herbage allowances of rangelands: hepatic mechanisms related to energy efficiency,” Anim. Prod. …, 2022, [Online]. Available: https://connectsci.au/an/article-abstract/62/6/529/87377
  37. A. T. Mohammadi, N. Naderi, P. B. Kenari, A. Mir, F. Sabouri, and …, Advancements in Pharmacology: Integrating Molecular Mechanisms, Therapeutics, and Drug Development. books.google.com, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=4QpYEQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT3&dq=rethinking+partitioning+dynamics+of+nutrients+in+transition+cows+integrating+metabolic+hormonal+and+cellular+mechanisms+influencing&ots=6A_c2KRV1U&sig=4feyPKnn-hnPGSLjLT-Rbdnesn8
  38. E. A. Horst, S. K. Kvidera, M. Al-Qaisi, and …, “Energy cost of inflammation in dairy cows,” 2018, archivio.ruminantia.it. [Online]. Available: https://archivio.ruminantia.it/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/TRI-STATE-DAIRY-NUTRITION-CONFERENCE-2018.pdf
  39. S. A. Brown, K. L. Palmer, and M. Whiteley, “Revisiting the host as a growth medium,” Nat. Rev. Microbiol., 2008, [Online]. Available: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrmicro1955
  40. M. K. A. Abuajamieh, Effects of heat stress or ketosis on metabolism and inflammatory biomarkers in ruminants and monogastrics. search.proquest.com, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://search.proquest.com/openview/9761cb050c2c567a492d648b00088c94/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750
  41. L. H. Baumgard, R. J. Collier, and D. E. Bauman, “A 100-Year Review: Regulation of nutrient partitioning to support lactation,” 2017, Elsevier. [Online]. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030217310342
  42. M. Vailati-Riboni, A. Elolimy, and J. J. Loor, “Nutritional systems biology to elucidate adaptations in lactation physiology of dairy cows,” … Anim. Prod. Heal. Vol …, 2016, doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-43332-5_5.
  43. J. L. Wahlig, The impact of high fat diet and obesity on whole body and tissue specific metabolism during the metabolic challenge of lactation: An integrative approach to …. search.proquest.com, 2011. [Online]. Available: https://search.proquest.com/openview/eef451aab689c9923595dad39f35619b/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750
  44. M. S. GALHARDO, Integrated Analysis Of Transcript-Level Regulation Of Human Adipogenesis And Cell Type-Selective Disease Association Of High Regulatory Load Genes. orbilu.uni.lu, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://orbilu.uni.lu/handle/10993/22949
  45. M. Mikkola, K. L. J. Desmet, E. Kommisrud, and M. A. Riegler, “Recent advancements to increase success in assisted reproductive technologies in cattle,” Anim. Reprod., vol. 21, no. 3, p. e20240031, 2024, doi: 10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0031.
  46. P. K. Rout and B. K. Behera, “Factors Influencing Livestock Way of Life,” … Rumin. Livest. Manag. Mark., 2021, doi: 10.1007/978-981-33-4343-6_5.
  47. N. C. Friggens, C. Disenhaus, and H. V Petit, “Nutritional sub-fertility in the dairy cow: towards improved reproductive management through a better biological understanding,” Animal, 2010, [Online]. Available: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal/article/nutritional-subfertility-in-the-dairy-cow-towards-improved-reproductive-management-through-a-better-biological-understanding/824C9C8F9E07F307BF18BDDD2134FC7E
  48. J. Mugwe, F. Ngetich, and E. O. Otieno, “Integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: Evolving paradigms toward integration,” Zero Hunger, 2020, doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95675-6_71.

 


Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 03
01
Received 16/02/2026
Accepted 07/03/2026
Published 18/03/2026
Publication Time 30 Days


Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics