Chronic prepartum light-dark phase shifts in cattle disrupt circadian clocks, decrease insulin sensitivity and mammary development, and are associated with lower milk yield through 60 days postpartum

Circadian and metabolic systems are interlocked and reciprocally regulated. To determine if the circadian system regulates glucose homeostasis and mammary development, the function of the circadian system was disrupted by exposing cattle to chronic light-dark cycle phase shifts from 5 wk before expected calving (BEC) to parturition. Multiparous Holstein cows were exposed to 16 h of light and 8 h of dark (CON, n = 8) or phase shifting (PS, n = 8) the light cycle 6 h every 3 d beginning 35 d BEC. After calving, both treatments were exposed to CON lighting. Mammary biopsies were taken at 21 d BEC and 21 d in milk (DIM), and histological analysis indicated PS treatment decreased the ratio of lumen to alveolar area and percentage of proliferating epithelial cells in the prepartum period. Intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed at 14 d BEC and 7 DIM by administering 50% dextrose. Blood glucose, O-hydroxybutyrate, insulin, and nonesterified fatty acids were consequently measured over 3 h. At 14 d BEC no treatment differences were observed in baseline glucose or insulin. Treatment had no effect on blood glucose or glucose area under the curve at 14 d BEC and 7 DIM. Insulin area under the curve was higher in PS versus CON at 14 d BEC and 7 DIM. The PS cows produced less milk than CON cows through 60 DIM (40.3 vs. 42.6 kg/d). Exposure to chronic light-dark PS in late gestation decreased mammary development and increased insulin resistance in periparturient cows, which may have caused subsequent lower milk yield.

Automated summary

Exposure to chronic light-dark phase shifts in late gestation decreased mammary development and increased insulin resistance in periparturient cows, resulting in subsequent lower milk yield.