Verdes, José ManuelEspino, LucianoGoicoa, AnaRigueira Rey, LucasRamil Novo, Luis AlbertoFidalgo Álvarez, Luis Eusebio2024-02-122024-02-122013Verdes J. M., Espino L., Goicoa A., Rigueira L., Ramil L. A. and Fidalgo L. E. (2013). Quantification of pericaudal adipocyte diameter in dairy cattle during peripartum: a complementary method to study energetic status using conventional histology. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 97 (2013) 238–244http://hdl.handle.net/10347/32780Trabajo realizado en colaboración con la Universidad de la República, Uruguay. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Verdes J. M., Espino L., Goicoa A., Rigueira L., Ramil L. A. and Fidalgo L. E. (2013). Quantification of pericaudal adipocyte diameter in dairy cattle during peripartum: a complementary method to study energetic status using conventional histology. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 97 (2013) 238–244, which has been published in final form at 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01259.x. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.The energetic status of high-yielding Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle was studied during peripartum under field conditions using body condition score (BCS), glycemia, seric ß–hydroxybutyrate and adipose tissue cellularity. This last method was tested as a complementary tool for energetic status assessment. Biopsies of pericaudal subcutaneous adipose tissue were obtained from 25 multiparous animals at 28 days before and 21 days after parturition. Samples were routinely processed for histological examination and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The mean diameter of adipocytes (MDA) was measured with the aid of a digital image processor. During the same period, blood samples were collected weekly for metabolite determinations. The MDA at 28 days pre-partum and 21 days post-partum were 72.1 vs. 66.2 lm respectively (p = 0.055), and the corresponding BCS at these moments was 3.32 vs. 3.19 (p = 0.068). At )28 days pre-partum, the BCS was positively correlated with MDA (Pearson’s r = 0.521, p = 0.016) and with glycemia (Pearson’s r = 0.404, p = 0.056). Correlations between BCS and MDA, and between BCS and glycemia, with ß–hydroxybutyrate although not significant, suggest that routine histological preparations of biopsies from subcutaneous adipose tissue could be included as an easy and valuable tool for research purposes to evaluate metabolic adaptation of dairy cows to peripartum, as well as the incidence of metabolic disorders and productive performance.engAdipocyteDairy cattlePeripartumjournal article10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01259.xopen access