Effects of photoperiod during the dry period on prolactin, prolactin receptor, and milk production of dairy cows

Cows exposed to short day photoperiod during the dry period produce significantly more milk in their subsequent lactation than cows exposed to long days. The mechanism(s) underlying this effect are unknown. Because concentrations of prolactin (PRL) in circulation are consistently affected by changes in photoperiod, we hypothesized that alterations in the prolactin axis and sensitivity of the mammary gland to prolactin signaling may mediate photoperiodic effects in dry cows. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of exposure to different lengths of daylight during the dry period on circulating PRL and PRL receptor (PRL-R) mRNA expression in lymphocytes and mammary tissue during the transition to lactation. Multiparous Holstein cows were dried off 62 d before calving and assigned to long day ( 16 h light: 8 h dark) or short day photoperiod ( 8 h light: 16 h dark). During the dry period, PRL and PRL-R mRNA were analyzed biweekly in plasma and lymphocytes, respectively. Expression of PRL-R mRNA was assessed in mammary biopsies during the dry and periparturient periods. Dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded through 21 d of lactation, and milk yield was recorded until 120 d in milk. Short day photoperiod was associated with reduced PRL, whereas milk yield and expression of PRL-R mRNA in lymphocytes and mammary tissue were increased. Cows on short days had higher DMI during the dry period but did not differ in DMI after parturition. These data support the concept that greater responsiveness and sensitivity to PRL during transition to lactation may be associated with an increase in subsequent milk yield.