Abstract: The objective of present study was to investigate the effect of energy intake during the dry period on the expression of IR mRNA in the liver of periparturient diary cows. Thirty healthy multiparous Holstein cows were randomly allocated into three groups and fed 100% energy diet (standard diets), 120% energy diet and 80% energy diet，respectively, beginning at the 28th day before parturition. After calving, all the cows were offered the lactation ration ad libitum until the 56th day postpartum. The results indicated that the cows fed with low energy diet during the dry period had the significant highest level of IR mRNA in the liver than that in the cows fed with 120% energy diet and 100% energy diet. It is concluded that the low energy diet during the dry period could be helpful to regulation of blood glucose balance in the periparturient diary cows by enhancing insulin receptor quantity.