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Objective: The results of this study describe the relationship between the body condition of dairy cows and selected metabolic parameters during the peri- and post-partum period with special consideration of 3 local dairy cow breed in Upper Bavaria and the Allgau., Material and Methods: Three local dairy cattle breeds (Swiss Brown (BV), Simmental (FL), Holstein Friesian (HF)) were examined on 68 farms in southern Germany for 7 consecutive weeks. In dry cows as well as lactating cows (5.-65. day in milk), following blood parameters were investigated: beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, total protein, albumin, creatine kinase. In addition, body condition (body condition score [BCS] and back fat thickness [BFT]) were recorded. Exploratory and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis., Results: Concerning the difference in condition before and after calving, the FL showed the smallest difference in RFD. For FL and BV a trend towards higher BFT values could be seen in first lactating cows. For FL and HF, the NEFA values of the later lactating cows were below those of the first lactating cows. The higher lactating cows of BV and FL had higher BHB values. The correlation between BFT and BCS showed the highest R2 (0.53) in the HF cows. BV and FL were below at 0.42 and 0.37. BCS and BFT could not be predicted by the variables NEFA, BHB and liver enzymes. BHB levels of all 3 breeds increased at weeks 2-4 post-partum. The NEFA values for all 3 breeds increased primarily in the 1st-3rd week p.p. in parallel to when the BFT p.p. decreased. NEFA values were highest when body condition declined and therefore when fat mobilization peaked. In BV and HF, there was a constant increase in GLDH when the p.p. BCS difference was there., Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Body condition assessment (BCS at herd and animals` level, BFT at animal level) is an important tool for animal health monitoring. Due to the recognizable breed specificity, the dairy herds can be dealt with more explicitly. The aim is to optimally influence the energy balance of the cow during early lactation in order maintain the health of the animal and its organ systems., Competing Interests: Die Autor*innen bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

The body condition assessment methods Body Condition Scoring (BCS) and backfat thickness measurement are important methods to assess the energy status of a dairy cow in the dry period and early lactation. An extensive search of the scientific literature (online and analogue) was carried out for the presented review. Various keywords filtered important articles, which were entered into a literature management program and whose content was assigned to various categories, on which the review article is based. The BCS is the tool of choice for acquiring a rapid and precise overview of the dairy herd. The backfat thickness (RFD) may be used for more detailed investigations. The aim of aformentioned studies is to attain an optimal energy balance of the dairy cow during early lactation considering energy intake and energy output as well as to minimize diseases such as fat mobilization syndrome and ketosis, and in consequence to allow for improved animal health and optimal performance., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)