Mammary gland development andfunction in dairy cows require considerable endocrineand metabolic adaptations. This review summarizesrecent investigations on these physiological adaptationmechanisms. Lactational challenges of homeostasis andcorresponding metabolic adaptations vary substantiallybetween dairy cows. This variation could be a target forbreeding more resilient dairy cows. A higher metabolicplasticity in early lactating dairy cows could improveadaptation to catabolic stages during lactation withoutcompromising animal health and welfare.
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