The relationship between plasma β-hydroxybutyric acid and conjugated linoleic acid in milk as a biomarker for early diagnosis of ketosis in postpartum Polish Holstein-Friesian cows

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the association between plasma β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and conjugated linoleic acid in postpartum Polish Holstein-Friesian (PHF) cows. The experiment was carried out at an experimental dairy farm, where a herd of approximately 350 cows was kept. Samples were taken at six time points: between days 5–7, 8–14, 15–21, 22–28, 29–35, and 36–42, resulting in 510 samples of both milk and blood. The cows involved in the experiment were divided into two groups – ketotic and healthy – by taking into account general health symptoms, blood serum BHBA, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration at 5–7 days postpartum.ResultsIn the first week of lactation, at 5–7 day in milk (DIM), the study showed a 53% lower level of C18:2 cis-9 trans-11 (CLA9) and an 80% lower level of C18:2 trans-10 cis-12 (CLA10) in cows with diagnosed ketosis compared to healthy cows. In the second week of lactation (8–14 DIM), a 34% lower level of CLA9 and a 54% lower level of CLA10 was found in the group of cows with BHBA levels > 1.2 mmol/L. Additionally, Pearson correlation analysis showed significant negative correlation between BHBA x CLA9 and BHBA x CLA10 in the first week of lactation: − 0.732and − 0.821, respectively.ConclusionThe study shows that that both CLA9 and CLA10 can be used as markers for the early diagnosis of elevated blood levels of BHBA in postpartum Polish Holstein-Friesian cows.

The Effect of Energy Metabolism up to the Peak of Lactation on the Main Fractions of Fatty Acids in the Milk of Selected Dairy Cow Breeds

“…Buttchereit et al [ 30 ] also showed that strong mobilization of energy from lipid tissue is not only conducive to more intensive production of long-chain FAs, but can also reduce the protein content in milk. This is consistent with the tendency observed by Pupel et al [ 31 ] and with our results regarding levels of κ–casein. Our results for the content of the main FA fractions are in agreement with those reported by Petit and Côrtes [ 32 ].…”

“…The cows in this group, however, had the lowest glucose level in the blood, which in our study was negatively correlated with NEFA (−0.386, p ≤ 0.05). Puppel et al [ 31 ] showed very strong negative correlations between the BHBA level in the blood and the content of CLA–9 and –10. Our results are consistent with those reported by Vanbergue et al [ 26 ], who studied the milk of Holstein and Normande cows up to the peak of lactation.…”

Changes of Plasma Fatty Acids in Four Lipid Classes to Understand Energy Metabolism at Different Levels of Non-Esterified Fatty Acid (NEFA) in Dairy Cows

“…The main FAs deposited in the adipocytes are C16:0, C16:1, C18:0 and C18:1 [ 26 ]. Indeed, during lipolysis, induced by NEB, there is a particular increase in the bloodstream of the C16:0, C18:0 and C18: 1 and Linoleic acids (C18: 2) [ 26 , 38 ]. As previously reported, the plasma acidic profile reflects the fatty acid composition of the fat reserves [ 9 ].…”

“…In HK the trend of concentration of the FA is variable from one to the other indeed, the C18:1 ω 9 is a biomarker of a state of hyperketonaemia when it exceeds the cut-off. Furthermore, high milk concentration of C18:1 ω 9 could be used as biomarker for diagnosis of high blood concentration of NEFA and BHB in early phase of lactation [ 38 , 57 ]. Concentrations of Oleic acid equal to or greater than 24 g per 100 g of milk indicate the presence of blood NEFA greater than 0.6 mmol/L [ 57 ].…”

“…Concentrations of Oleic acid equal to or greater than 24 g per 100 g of milk indicate the presence of blood NEFA greater than 0.6 mmol/L [ 57 ]. C18:0 and C18:1 ω 9 are the main plasma FAs taken from the mammary gland as precursors of milk fat [ 38 ]. However, plasma and milk concentrations of Oleic acid cannot be closely correlated as the amount of C18:1 ω 9 milk component derives also from the desaturation of Stearic acid by the Δ-9 desaturase [ 37 , 58 ].…”