This study was conducted to assess the effects of glucogenic and lipogenic diets feeding in transition period on performance of periparturient dairy cows, colostrum quality and growth of their calves. Twenty four dairy cows from 21 d before anticipated calving were used in a complete randomized block design, assigned to three experimental diets (8 cows for each treatment). Experimental diets (DM basis) were: control (glucognic); replacing 25 % beet pulp with barley (low lipogenic); replacing 50 % beet pulp with barley (high lipogenic). All calves received their dam colostrum until 3 d of life. Periparturient dry matter intake, blood parameters, liver enzymes concentration in serum, colostrum quantity and quality were measured in dairy cows. Also, performance variables, blood parameters, fecal and general appearance scores were recorded for dairy calves. Statistical analyses for all variables were performed using PROC MIXED in SAS. Results show that dry matter intake increased with increase in beet pulp level (P 0.01). Colostrum amount and colostrum protein, lactose, solids non-fat percentages decreased with increase in beet pulp level, the difference between glucogenic diet and high lipogenic diet were significant (P 0.01). Somatic cell count and colostrum pH were lower in glucogenic diet compared with lipogenic diet (P 0.05). Performance variables, except for skeletal growth variables, did not differ among experimental diets (P 0.05). Rectal temperature, respiration rate, fecal, general appearance and respiration scores were not affected by treatments (P 0.05). All blood parameters, except for glucose in cows and calves, were the same among treatments. The concentration of liver enzymes in serum was not affected by beet pulp feeding in preparturient dairy cows. In general, results of this study indicate that replacing beet pulp with barley could increase dry matter intake, but it could be possible to decrease quality and quantity of colostrum in periparturient dairy cows. Key words: beet pulp, transition cows, calves, Glucogenic and lipogenic
