Plasma ascorbate concentrations are not correlated with milk somatic cell count and metabolic profile in lactating and dry cows.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of stage and the number of lactation on plasma ascorbate concentration and to establish the association between plasma ascorbate concentrations and plasma glucose, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), milk somatic cell count (SCC), milk yield, and body condition score (BCS) in dairy cows. Holstein cows (n = 193) from three different herds were used in this study. Animals were randomly selected, and assigned to five groups according to stage of lactation (group 1, dry cows; group 2, 1 to 28 d; group 3, 29 to 56 d; group 4, 57 to 140 d; group 5, 141 to 280 d), and the number of lactation (primiparous or multiparous). Plasma ascorbate concentration, plasma glucose concentration, serum insulin concentration, plasma NEFA concentration, plasma BHBA concentration, serum AST concentration, milk SCC, milk yield, and BCS were measured. The results of this study demonstrate that plasma ascorbate concentrations do not change in response to stage of lactation, or number of lactations. Among the several variables studied, none was found that, singly or in combinations, could explain variations in ascorbic acid concentrations.