Correlation between Body Condition Score and Serum Metabolites in Periparturient Dairy Cows in Oyo State, South West Nigeria

The periparturient period in dairy cattle is characterised by negative energy balance and metabolic stress, and body condition score is widely used as a proxy indicator of energy reserves. This study examined the correlation between body condition score at calving and key serum metabolites in Friesian-Zebu crossbred cows in Oyo State, South West Nigeria. Fifty periparturient cows were scored for body condition on a one-to-five scale at two weeks prepartum, at calving, and at two weeks postpartum. Serum was analysed for non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, insulin, and total cholesterol at the same intervals. Cows with body condition scores below 2.5 at calving had significantly elevated non-esterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in the first postpartum week, consistent with excessive fat mobilisation and subclinical ketosis. Serum glucose and insulin were inversely correlated with non-esterified fatty acid levels. Cholesterol was significantly lower in thin cows, reflecting hepatic lipid metabolism impairment. A body condition score at calving below 2.5 was found to be a strong predictor of subclinical ketosis onset. This study recommends routine body condition scoring as a monitoring tool for metabolic disease risk in periparturient dairy cows managed under the South West Nigeria smallholder system. Keywords: body condition score, periparturient, non-esterified fatty acids, subclinical ketosis, dairy cows.