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

Abstract

Metabolic disorders in animals are one of the most important problems in modern cattle production. The paper presents results characterising the functional state of the liver in dairy cows with clinical ketosis. The study was conducted on 17 Holstein cows (9 of them were clinically healthy with negative test for ketone bodies in urine and 8 with positive test) in their second to fourth lactation with milk yield above 8,000 kg per previous lactation. Conducted research has shown that cows affected with ketosis, had hypoglycaemia, dysproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, increased liver enzymes and higher blood content of aromatic and sulfur-containing amino acids. Herewith the activity of cholinesterase and phospholipids were decreased. Albumins-globulins ratio and esterified to total cholesterol ratio was decreased in conditions associated with liver pathology due to clinical ketosis. Sick cows had signs of secondary osteodystrophy. Obtained results allowed us concluding that dairy cows ketosis caused significant changes in structural and functional state of liver, associated with abnormalities in of serum proteins synthesis, disturbed metabolism of amino acids, lipids and calcium.

Alterations in biochemical parameters and hepatic ultrasonography with reference to oxidant injury in ketotic dairy cows

“…Regarding the serum mineral changes, Ca serum levels showed a significant decrease in CK cows compared with SCK and control. This result is coincided with those recorded in ketotic cows (Simonov and Vlizlo, 2015).…”

Predicting ketosis during the transition period in Holstein Friesian cows using hematological and serum biochemical parameters on the calving date

“…In addition, ALB and TB are commonly used to indicate hepatic insufficiency, and our results on ALB and TB correspond with previous findings. Lower serum ALB levels were found in CK, SCK, and NK in this order, indicating decreased liver function 21 , 38 . The level of TB increases at ketosis, indicating liver insufficiency 18 , 39 .…”

“…Hematological and serum biochemical parameters are widely used to evaluate and monitor health, and these parameters have been demonstrated to be associated with ketosis. For example, cows with severe ketosis displayed higher hematocrit and hemoglobin values, while mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red cell distribution width (RDW) did not differ between non-ketotic and ketotic cows 13 ; in addition, cows with ketosis had significantly lower white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, and eosinophil counts than those without ketosis 14 , and impaired white blood cell functions were associated with ketosis in dairy cows 15 ; moreover, cows with ketosis showed increased non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin (TB) and decreased levels of glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein, albumin (ALB), and triglyceride (TG) 2 , 16 – 21 ; furthermore, concentrations of minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc, were associated with ketosis as well 22 – 24 . However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have reported the association of ketosis during the postpartum transition period with hematological and serum biochemical parameters on the calving date.…”

Welfare Assessment: Correspondence Analysis of Welfare Score and Hematological and Biochemical Profiles of Dairy Cows in Sardinia, Italy

“…Welfare assessment requires a multidisciplinary approach, and the CReNBA Animal Welfare and Biosecurity Evaluation form (AWB-EF) monitor both ABMs and N-ABMs in dairy cattle farms. Health is a key component of welfare and health status (e.g., presence/absence of disease, organ function, metabolic processes, and internal body condition) is primarily monitored using hematological and biochemical tests [ 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”