Decoding early-lactation energy balance in dairy cows using blood co-expression networks and candidate markers

Energy balance (EB) can be an important health indicator in dairy cows, as a severe or prolonged period of negative energy balance is a key risk factor for metabolic disorders, impaired immune function, and reduced fertility. Understanding the biological mechanisms of energy balance is fundamental to developing strategies that improve energy intake, mitigate negative energy balance, and enhance the management of metabolic challenges in dairy cows. This study employed whole blood transcriptomic a