Reduction of liver function delays resumption of postpartum ovarian activity and alters the synthesis of acute phase proteins in dairy cows

•Examine for the first time the Liver Functionality Index (LFI) in a semi-extensive system.•Animals with low LFI present delays in the resumption of ovarian activity.•Group LFI presents negative modification in synthesis of acute phase proteins.•LFI is an important biomarker and it can be used to improve

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of acute phase proteins, milk production, and resumption of postpartum ovarian activity of clinically healthy dairy cows in a semi-extensive system with different Liver Functionality Index (LFI) values. The animals were divided into two groups: Low LFI (LLFI: − 7 to − 12; n: 10) and High LFI (HLFI: − 7 to − 4; n: 10). Animals with LLFI had lower paraoxonase activity and lower albumin concentration in the pre- and postpartum periods (P < 0.05), higher non-esterified fatty acids prepartum (P < 0.005), and higher haptoglobin concentration postpartum (P < 0.01). The LLFI group showed lower resumption of ovarian activity until 44 days postpartum (29%; P < 0.05) than HLFI (86%). Milk production did not differ between groups. Therefore, this study suggests that the LFI is an important biomarker of synthesis of acute phase proteins and the first ovulation interval, and it can be used to improve the production and reproductive performance.