Experiments were conducted to evaluate prepartum plane of energy intake, metabolism, and inflammation during the periparturient period. In experiment 1 housekeeping genes were evaluated for use with qPCR experiments in liver tissue. Ribosomal protein, S9 (RPS9) was most stable over dietary treatments and physiological states. In experiment 2, a qPCR study was conducted using 6 cows per treatment group that had either restricted, controlled, or excess energy intake prepartum. Expression for mRNA of genes related to fatty acid oxidation was greater for controlled energy cows on d 14 postpartum and related to lower lipid accumulation postpartum. Expression of mRNA for inflammatory genes was elevated pre- and postpartum in overfed cows and was associated with total liver lipid postpartum. In experiment 3, serum from 73 cows with restricted, controlled, or excess energy intake in the far-off period and either ad libitum or restricted intake in the close-up period was evaluated. Liver function and inflammatory variables were related to liver lipid accumulation postpartum. A poorer liver function index was noted for cows overfed energy or restricted prepartum. Experiment 4 used primiparous (n = 24) and multiparous (n = 23) cows with restricted, controlled, or excess energy intake prepartum. Controlling or restricting intake resulted in less severe change in dry matter intake and energy balance prepartum and improved metabolic profiles and health postpartum compared with cows having excess energy intake prepartum regardless of parity group. In experiment 5, a bovine oligonucleotide microarray was used to study temporal effects of mRNA transcript expression in subcutaneous adipose in 7 cows overfed energy and 7 cows with controlled energy intake prepartum from experiment 4. Over 3,400 mRNA transcripts were differentially expressed due to diet by time effects. The largest dietary effects occurred on d -14 and largest day effects between d -14 and d 1. Overconsumption of energy was linked to inflammatory markers studied in these experiments. A relationship between postpartum liver lipid accumulation and inflammation was observed. Avoiding overconsumption of energy prepartum improved metabolic status and metabolism, which was therefore beneficial to animal health and productivity. Evidence for inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in adipose tissue related to prepartum energy intake requires further study.