Relationship among blood indicators of lipomobilization and hepatic function during early lactation in high-yielding dairy cows

Abstract

Blood indicators are used as a tool to diagnose metabolic disorders. The present work was conducted to study the relationships among blood indicators of lipomobilization and hepatic function in high-yielding dairy cows. Two groups of Holstein cows were studied: 27 early lactation cows and 14 mid lactation cows from four different herds with similar husbandry characteristics in Galicia, Spain. Blood samples were obtained to measure beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides (TG), and the activity of aspartate transaminase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase. Cows in early lactation had higher levels of BHB and NEFA than mid lactation cows. High lipomobilization (NEFA > 400 µmol/L) was detected in 67% and 7% of early lactation and mid lactation cows, respectively, while subclinical ketosis (BHB > 1.2 mmol/L) was detected in 41% and 28% of the early lactation and lactation cows, respectively. TG concentrations were low in all cows suffering subclinical ketosis and in 61% of the cows with high lipomobilization. During early lactation, 30% of cows suffered hepatic lipidosis as detected by levels of AST. Compromised hepatic function was observed in early lactation cows as shown by lower concentrations of glucose, total protein, and urea.

Critical thresholds of liver function parameters for ketosis prediction in dairy cows using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis

“…However, it should be realized that blood concentrations of BHBA and NEFA in early lactation are higher than in mid-lactation. The prevalence of a high level of NEFA in early lactation has been reported to be 67%, but was only 17% in mid-lactation, whereas the prevalence of subclinical ketosis in early lactation may reach 41%, but in mid-lactation 28% (Gonzalez et al 2011).…”

Efeito da suplementação com colina protegida sobre parâmetros bioquímicos, produção e reprodução de vacas leiteiras no periparto

“…As enzimas aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e gamaglutamiltransferase (GGT) são utilizadas como importantes marcadores da atividade hepática. Vacas no período de transição, quando sob intenso BEN, apresentam teores elevados dessas enzimas, alteração associada a grande mobilização de gordura corporal e sobrecarga hepática por triglicerídeos (González et al, 2011). No presente estudo, de acordo como os teores de AGNE encontrados, o BEN foi moderado, havendo, portanto, menor mobilização de gordura.…”

Some blood markers of the functional state of liver in dairy cows with clinical ketosis

“…Their concentration in blood plasma is associated with energy supply of animal organism and characterises the activity of lipolysis, their mobilisation from fat depot. Therefore, in case of inadequate systemic energy supply, activation of lipolysis occurs and the level of free fatty acids increases (González et al, 2011).…”