Table 2 Zootechnical parameters and plasma metabolites and RARRES2 concentrations from 4 wk. pp. to late lactation period (44wk postpartum) in dairy cows

Live body weight (kg)

640.74 ± 21.31^a

643.16 ± 23.07^a

685.01 ± 21.15^a

741.49 ± 25.21^b

Variation of empty body weight (kg/d)

−14.05 ± 2.82^a

− 13.86 ± 2.57^a

− 8.26 ± 2.04^a

− 0.71 ± 2.58^b

Milk yield (kg/d)

39.20 ± 2.27^a

36.12 ± 2.97^a

32.21 ± 1.48^a

20.78 ± 1.60^b

Dry matter intake (kg/d)

18.67 ± 1.56^a

20.83 ± 0.76^a

21.41 ± 1.05^a

21.77 ± 0.69^b

Energy balance (Mcal/d)

− 4.88 ± 1.72^a

−1.76 ± 1.62^ab

−0.97 ± 1.35^ab

2.76 ± 0.92^b

Back fat thickness (cm)

0.65 ± 0.15^a

0.43 ± 0.12^ab

0.34 ± 0.11^b

0.45 ± 0.09^b

Non esterified fatty acid (mmol/L)

1103.98 ± 158.30^a

816.58 ± 137.67^ab

509.33 ± 75.00^b

185.83 ± 29.48^c

Glucose (mmol/L)

7.71 ± 0.39^a

8.17 ± 0.50^ab

9.22 ± 0.44^b

9.51 ± 0.57^b

Insulin (ng/mL)

0.24 ± 0.06^a

0.33 ± 0.05^ab

0.49 ± 0.06^bc

0.55 ± 0.02^c