Abstract

The research investigates the influence of short-term cold stress on the metabolic status of Holstein cows, when they are kept in large cowsheds in the Ukrainian climate. In the winter (cold season), the air temperature in such cowsheds depends on the ambient air temperature. The temperature-humidity index of the cowshed air is less than 38 at night, which is estimated as mild cold stress. Short-term cold stress has no effect on the level of total protein, urea, cholesterol, glucose, and calcium, but it increases the total lipids in the blood plasma of second-lactation cows with a daily milk yield of 20–25 kg by 32.3, and in those with a daily milk yield of 35–40 kg, by 1.6-fold. For third-lactation cows with a daily milk yield of 20–25 kg total lipids increase by 1.5-fold compared with the data for first-lactation cows with a daily milk yield of 20–25 kg. Cold stress has no significant effect on the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and amylase, but it significantly reduced the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the blood plasma of second- and third-lactation cows with a daily milk yield of 20–25 kg by 14.3 and 17.8, respectively, compared with first-lactation cows with a daily milk yield of 35–40 kg. Under short-term cold stress, the activity of plasma alkaline phosphatase decreases by 36 in second-lactation cows with a milk yield of 35–40 kg, by 44 in third-lactation cows with a milk yield of 20–25 kg, and by 38 in cows with a milk yield of 35–40 kg compared to first-lactation cows with a milk yield of 20–25 kg. It can be concluded that short-term cold stress causes changes in the metabolic profile of high-yielding Holstein cows, which can provide valuable information about the health of the animals during acclimatization and help develop corrective measures to prevent diseases and reduce milk productivity in the coldest period of the year. © (2025), (Scienceline Publication). All rights reserved.