ARTICLE 82 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2024 mune dysregulation and inflammation (Figure 2). Increased lipid mobilization during NEB can lead to an increased risk of the metabolic disorder, such as ketosis. Transition cows are susceptible to oxidative stress due to the increased metabolic activity associated with late pregnancy, parturition, and the onset of lactation. The usually observed low dry matter intake (DMI) means a limited supply of natural antioxidants from the feed. REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF INFLAMMATION Transition cows often experience inflammation around calving due to several factors including environmental and management, metabolic demands and physiological changes. These factors lead to local inflammation in the uterus, mammary gland and digestive system, whereby lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are released in the whole body causing systemic inflammation. In the uterus, bacterial contamination and injuries during calving often lead to inflammation. The mammary gland is highly susceptible to bacterial infections (causing systemic inflammation), with intramammary infections most common during early involution (dry-off) and colostrogenesis. On the other end, the ruminant digestive system experiences stress due to dietary changes that can compromise gut integrity, leading to leaky gut and systemic inflammation. Diet changes and the accompanying stresses can modify the rumen microbe leading to a higher risk for subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) that will damage the rumen wall epithelium, creating a leaky gut. Overall, during immune activation and inflammation, nutrients and energy are diverted from productive purposes to support the immune system, leading to economic consequences such as decreased production, inefficient feed utilisation, poor reproduction, and treatment costs. Research shows a shift to higher-energy diets during the transition period disturbs the microbiota balance in the rumen, compromising rumen health (Bach et al., 2018); parturition is shown to disturb rumen tight junction, leading to LPS passage and local inflammation. In this research by Bach et al. (2018), the supplementation of a rumen-specific live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 (LEVUCELL SC) fed before calv-
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