ISSUE FOCUS 60 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE November 2025 Up to 75% of cow diseases occur within the first month post-calving — making this phase critical for long-term health and productivity. While transition management traditionally focused on metabolic disorders such as ketosis and hypocalcemia, new research invites us to take a more holistic and preventive approach, placing inflammation as a cornerstone of transition disorders. INFLAMMATION: THE MISSING LINK Beyond metabolic issues like ketosis and hypocalcemia, inflammation is emerging as a central factor in transition cow health. A shift to lactating rations (higher energy and protein) during the transition period changes the microbiota balance in the rumen: There is a decrease in fibrolytic microbiota (bacteria and fungi) and an increase in rapidly fermentable carbohydrate degraders. This switch decreases rumen pH and can lead to a higher risk for subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) that damages the rumen wall epithelium. On the other hand, tight junctions, which are a key component of the rumen epithelial barrier, are also disrupted, leading to increased permeability of the rumen epithelium. A compromised epithelial barrier, or leaky epithelium, of either the rumen or lower gut, results in bacteria translocation leading to excessive immune activation and inflammation (Figure 1). RETHINKING TRANSITION COW MANAGEMENT Marie-Valentine Glica Global Marketing Manager Ruminant Feed Additives Lallemand Animal Nutrition Strong Tight Junctions Bacteria Ruminal Epithelium LPS Weak Tight Junctions INFLAMMATION Figure 1. The disruption of tight junctions (right) in the rumen epithelium triggers inflammation through the passage of LPS and potentially pathogen bacteria
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