Suppression of mitogenic response of bovine lymphocytes during experimental ketosis in calves

Experimental ketosis was induced by feeding calves a diet containing 1,3 butanediol for 9 or 10 days. Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate was significantly (P less than 0.05) elevated during clinical ketosis. The mitogenic response of the lymphocytes collected during ketosis was significantly (P less than 0.01) suppressed, and the suppression persisted for 2 weeks. During ketosis, all calves fed a 1,3 butanediol diet had clinical signs of an upper respiratory tract infection. Possible relationships between the suppressed function of lymphocytes, the increased concentration of 1,3 butanediol, and the increased susceptibility of the calves to infections during ketosis were considered.     

Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型酮病对奶牛血液某些理化参数的影响

本试验旨在了解Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型酮病发生时奶牛体内某些理化参数的变化。在某集约化牛场随机选取产后7～28 d、平均胎次为2～3胎的试验奶牛,根据血浆中β-羟丁酸（BHBA）、葡萄糖（Glc）、游离脂肪酸（NEFA）的含量以及临床发病特点分为Ⅰ型酮病组（20头）、Ⅱ型酮病组（20头）和健康对照组（10头）。结果显示,三组间血浆中Glc、BH-BA、NEFA的浓度与体况评分存在显著差异（P＜0.05）,但三组试验奶牛的泌乳量、产后天数、血浆中胰岛素（INS）含量彼此间无显著性差异（P＞0.05）。Ⅰ型酮病、Ⅱ型酮病与健康对照组之间的理化参数存在显著差异,为深入探究奶牛Ⅰ型酮病与Ⅱ型酮临床病理学、早期检测和诊断以及详细的发病机理提供依据,为今后有效地预防奶牛Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型酮病奠定基础。     

Mass spectral analysis of urine proteomic profiles of dairy cows suffering from clinical ketosis

Background: Ketosis is an important metabolic disorder in dairy cows during the transition period. The urine proteomics of ketosis has not been investigated using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS).

Objective: The aim is to determine differences between urine proteomic profiles of healthy cows and those with clinical ketosis, and facilitate studies of the underlying physiological and biochemical mechanisms that lead to liver pathology in ketosis.

Animals and methods: We analyzed the urine samples of 20 cows with clinical ketosis (group 1) and 20 control cows (group 2) using SELDI-TOF-MS.

Results: Thirty-nine peptide peaks differed between both groups. Polypeptides corresponding to 26 of these differential peptide peaks were identified using the SWISS-PROT protein database. We found that the peaks of 11 distinct polypeptides from the urine samples of the ketosis group were significantly reduced, compared with those of the control group as based on the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Among these were VGF (non-acronymic) protein, amyloid precursor protein, serum amyloid A (SAA), fibrinogen, C1INH, apolipoprotein C-III, cystatin C, transthyretin, hepcidin, human neutrophil peptides, and osteopontin.

Conclusion: These proteins may represent novel biomarkers of the metabolic changes that occur in dairy cows with ketosis. Our results will help to better understand the physiological changes and pathogenesis observed in cows with ketosis.

Clinical importance: The SELDI-TOF-MS can be used to understand the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of ketosis and identify biomarkers of the disease.     

A brief review and observations on clinical ketosis in non-lactating pregnant dairy cattle

The carbohydrate and glucose metabolism is briefly discussed. A review is given of the aetiology of the different types of ketosis in ruminants with the emphasis on the cow. Clinical ketosis in non-lactating pregnant animals is highlighted in a study of 20 cases, 16 in-calf heifers and four three-year-old cows. Fourteen animals had primary clinical ketosis thought to be mainly due to underfeeding. Six animals-had secondary clinical ketosis and were suffering from accompanying primary diseases. Treatment and possible causative factors are discussed. The introduction of heifers into mobs of older cows together with the change from free grazing to being break fed seems to be a major cause of underfeeding and stress.     

Subclinical ketosis: prevalence and associations with production and disease.

Cows in 32 southern Ontario Holstein herds were monitored for subclinical ketosis for a period of two and one half years. Milk samples were routinely collected and the level of milk ketone bodies determined by the use of a commercial nitroprusside based test powder (reactions scored as negative, +1 or +2). Approximately 92% of positive reactions were observed in the first 65 days of lactation and for that time period the prevalence of ketosis was 12.1%. Based on this prevalence, the minimum possible duration of subclinical ketosis would be 7.9 days and the minimum possible lactational incidence rate would be 12.1%. The prevalence during the first 65 days of lactation in individual herds ranged from 0 to 33.9%. Subclinical ketosis was more likely to be found in cows experiencing metritis than in unaffected cows. Detection of elevated levels of milk ketones also indicated that the cow had a significantly higher risk of having clinical ketosis, metritis or cystic ovaries diagnosed within the following four days. Milk ketone scores of +1 and +2 were found to be associated with a reduction in daily milk production of 1.0 and 1.4 kg of milk respectively.     

Role of beta-hydroxybutyric acid in diabetic ketoacidosis: a review

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a complication of diabetes mellitus, is a severe metabolic disease that often requires intensive treatment. Diagnosis of ketosis associated with DKA can be difficult due to variability in the metabolic state of DKA patients. Recognition of the clinical signs and definitive diagnosis are essential for proper treatment. This article reviews the formation of ketoacids during DKA and the role of β-hydroxybutyric acid in the diagnosis and monitoring of DKA.     

产后酮病奶牛血液生化指征分析

为了比较产后一段时期内酮病奶牛与健康奶牛血液生化指标的差异,为奶牛酮病的防控及兽医临床诊治提供理论依据。本研究选取吴忠市某集约化奶牛场待产奶牛共30头进行为期3周的血液生化指标监测,根据β-羟丁酸（BHBA）的浓度将奶牛分为酮病组和对照组并进行比较研究。结果显示,酮病组与对照组在生产当天（0 d）各项检测指标未出现显著性差异;酮病组奶牛β-羟丁酸浓度在产后7 d时较对照组极显著升高（P<0.01）;天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）和总胆红素（T-bil）浓度在产后7 d和14 d时显著升高（P<0.05）;血糖（Glu）浓度在产后7 d时显著降低（P<0.05）,产后14 d时极显著降低（P<0.01）;钙（Ca）、磷（P）浓度无显著性差异,但均低于正常参考值范围,出现低血钙、低血磷症。经分析发现,本场奶牛所患酮病为Ⅱ型酮病,酮病牛高发胎次为3~6胎,产后低血钙、低血磷、低血糖现象严重,同时奶牛酮病引发了机体肝脏功能损伤,影响母牛生产性能。     

Field study of dairy cows with reduced appetite in early lactation: clinical examinations, blood and rumen fluid analyses

The study included 125 cows with reduced appetite and with clinical signs interpreted by the owner as indicating bovine ketosis 6 to 75 days postpartum. Almost all of the cows were given concentrates 2 to 3 times daily. With a practitioners view to treatment and prophylaxis the cows were divided into 5 diagnostic groups on the basis of thorough clinical examination, milk ketotest, decreased protozoal activity and concentrations, increased methylene blue reduction time, and increased liver parameters: ketosis (n = 32), indigestion (n = 26), combined ketosis and indigestion (n = 29), liver disease combined with ketosis, indigestion, or both (n = 15), and no specific diagnosis (n = 17). Three cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis and 3 with abomasal displacement were not grouped. Nonparametric methods were used when groups were compared. Aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and total bilirubin were elevated in the group with liver disease. Free fatty acids were significantly elevated in cows with ketosis, compared with cows with indigestion. Activity and concentrations of large and small protozoas were reduced, and methylene blue reduction time was increased in cows with indigestion. The rumen fluid pH was the same for groups of cows with and without indigestion. Prolonged reduced appetite before examination could have led to misclassification. Without careful interpretation of the milk ketotest, many cases with additional diagnoses would have been reported as primary ketosis. Thorough clinical examination together with feasible rumen fluid examination and economically reasonable blood biochemistry did not uncover the reason(s) for reduced appetite in 14% of the cows. More powerful diagnostic methods are needed.     

Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity as a predictor for ketosis and parturient haemoglobinuria in Egyptian water buffaloes

Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was measured in 48 Egyptian water buffaloes four weeks pre-parturient. The activity was significantly low in 37 buffaloes (77.1%). Four weeks post-partum, clinical examination revealed that 23 buffaloes had the clinical signs of ketosis (K) while 14 had the clinical signs of parturient-haemoglobinuria (PHU). Serum samples were collected from 5 buffaloes of each group (K and PHU) besides 5 clinically healthy buffaloes with normal LCAT (control). Glucose level was significantly reduced in K and PHU groups while the phosphorous (P) level was significantly reduced in PHU group compared to control. There were significant reductions in the total cholesterol, free cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein and albumin in K and PHU groups; whereas, significant increases in AST, GGT, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) in K and PHU groups were detected. Therefore, LCAT could be a predictor for metabolic disorders in Egyptian water buffaloes.     

基于DHI数据浅谈石河子地区奶牛酮病发病情况及预防措施

为了解石河子地区奶牛酮病的发病情况,以新疆生产建设兵团第八师畜牧兽医工作站DHI中心具有一定代表性的八个参测牛场的泌乳奶牛作为研究对象,每个牛场随机抽取体况相近的泌乳牛100头,通过测定奶样中丙酮和β-羟丁酸的含量,对该地区奶牛酮病发病情况进行初步统计分析,并提出相应的预防措施。结果显示,临床型酮病的总发病率为8.75%,亚临床型酮病总发病率为45.63%。该结果可能与牛场的饲养管理水平有一定的关系;由于亚临床型酮病发病率普遍较高,且具有一定的潜伏期,因此,牛场需要加强对酮病的监测,从而达到及时治疗和预防酮病的目的。     

Prevalence of subclinical ketosis in dairy cattle in the Southwestern Iran and detection of cutoff point for NEFA and glucose concentrations for diagnosis of subclinical ketosis

Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is simply a condition marked by increased levels of circulating ketone bodies without the presence of the clinical signs of ketosis. Subclinical ketosis can cause economic losses through decreased milk production and association with preparturient diseases. Limited information is available regarding the prevalence of SCK in dairy herds in Southwestern Iran. The objectives of this study were (i) determination of the cutoff point of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and glucose concentrations for diagnosis of SCK using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and (ii) determination of prevalence of subclinical ketosis in apparently healthy dairy cattle in Southwestern Iran. From October to December 2009, a total of 100 clinically healthy multiparous Holstein cows (3-8 years old) were randomly selected from 16 dairy herds around Kazerun, Fars Province, Iran. The cows had two-six lactations, with body weight ranging from 500 to 650 kg. Blood samples for each cow were taken at 2, 4 and 6 weeks post parturition and 3-4h after the morning feeding. The optimal cutoff point was set, by the ROC method, to >0.26 mmol/L for NEFA, and < 2.26 mmol/L for glucose with corresponding 82.54% sensitivity and 91.89% specificity for NEFA and 44.44% sensitivity and 78.38% specificity for glucose. Cows with BHB concentrations higher than 1200 μmol/L were classified as having SCK. In 2, 4 and 6 weeks post parturition 63%, 68% and 59% of the tested cows were subclinically ketotic. Overall, 97% of tested cows (97/100) were considered subclinically ketotic in at least one sample period. Thirty percent of tested cows (30/100) suffered from subclinical ketosis in all of the 2, 4 and 6 weeks postpartum. The results suggest that, a cut-off point of 0.26 mmol/L for NEFA concentrations can be used during early lactation for diagnosis of subclinical ketosis and making management decisions for prevention and treatment. Glucose cannot be a good criterion for diagnosis of SCK and it does not appear to be useful for monitoring subclinical ketosis.     

Suppression of interferon response of bovine leukocytes during clinical and subclinical ketosis in lactating cows.

The influence of spontaneous ketosis on interferon alpha and gamma production in blood leucocytes and on PHA induced lymphocyte blastogenic response was investigated. Twenty three cows 4.13 +/- 2.8 weeks after calving were divided into three experimental groups on the basis of blood ketone bodies, glucose and free fatty acids concentrations. The leukocytes of cows with clinical symptoms and the highest concentration of ketones and free fatty acids in blood responded with the lowest levels of interferons alpha and gamma to three interferon inducers: Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (ConA). Depression in interferon PHA stimulated synthesis correlated with a very low mitogenic response of blood lymphocytes. Blood leukocytes of cows with subclinical ketosis, characterized by mild clinical symptoms and a lower concentration of ketones in blood in comparison to cows with clinical ketosis, responded better to interferon and mitogenic stimulation; however, the interferon titer and blastogenesis were still lower than in leukocytes of healthy cows. Correlation between the stage of ketosis and the level of interferon production in milk leukocytes was also observed. A possible relationship between the suppression of interferon production in blood leukocytes and the increased concentration of ketone bodies in blood is discussed.     

Relationship between ketosis and dairy cows’ blood metabolites in intensive production farms of the periurban area of Dakar

This study which involved 140 Holstein and Montbeliard was carried out in the periurban area of Dakar with the aim to establish the relationship between ketosis, milk production and biochemical blood metabolites. The results showed that ketosis is a real problem in periurban farms around the city of Dakar with high proportions of 33.57% for subclinical ketosis and 6.43% for clinical ketosis. In their second month of milking, cows with subclinical ketosis had a decrease of 12.4 and 15.,6% in milk yield respectively for Montbeliard and Holstein, whereas cows with clinical ketosis had a decrease of 18.6 and 26%. Ketogenic cows (subclinical and clinical) have significantly lower average levels of blood glucose (p<0.05) and significantly higher average levels of blood urea (p<0.05) than cows with normal blood beta-Hydroxy Butyrate (BbHB) levels. Also, from one farm to another, significant difference was recorded with concentration of total proteins and globulin, calcium and magnesium.     

The consequences of risk-based surveillance: Developing output-based standards for surveillance to demonstrate freedom from disease

Risk factors associated with high or low long-term incidence of displaced abomasum (DA) or clinical ketosis were studied in 60 Swedish dairy herds, using multivariable logistic regression modelling. Forty high-incidence herds were included as cases and 20 low-incidence herds as controls. Incidence rates were calculated based on veterinary records of clinical diagnoses. During the 3-year period preceding the herd classification, herds with a high incidence had a disease incidence of DA or clinical ketosis above the 3rd quartile in a national database for disease recordings. Control herds had no cows with DA or clinical ketosis. All herds were visited during the housing period and herdsmen were interviewed about management routines, housing, feeding, milk yield, and herd health. Target groups were heifers in late gestation, dry cows, and cows in early lactation. Univariable logistic regression was used to screen for factors associated with being a high-incidence herd. A multivariable logistic regression model was built using stepwise regression. A higher maximum daily milk yield in multiparous cows and a large herd size (p = 0.054 and p = 0.066, respectively) tended to be associated with being a high-incidence herd. Not cleaning the heifer feeding platform daily increased the odds of having a high-incidence herd twelvefold (p < 0.01). Keeping cows in only one group in the dry period increased the odds of having a high incidence herd eightfold (p = 0.03). Herd size was confounded with housing system. Housing system was therefore added to the final logistic regression model. In conclusion, a large herd size, a high maximum daily milk yield, keeping dry cows in one group, and not cleaning the feeding platform daily appear to be important risk factors for a high incidence of DA or clinical ketosis in Swedish dairy herds. These results confirm the importance of housing, management and feeding in the prevention of metabolic disorders in dairy cows around parturition and in early lactation.     

Nutrition and udder health in dairy cows: a review

Mastitis is still one of the three main diseases that affects the profitability of dairy farmers. Despite the implementation of the five-point mastitis control programme in the early 1970 s, the incidence in the UK has not reduced dramatically over the past 10 years. A review of the scientific literature indicates that there is a link between nutrition and mastitis in the dairy cow. The major impact of nutrition on udder health is via suppression of the immune system. Cows in negative energy balance are at a higher risk of ketosis and clinical ketosis is associated with a two-fold increase in the risk of clinical mastitis. Trace minerals and vitamins that can affect udder health are selenium and vitamin E, copper, zinc, and vitamin A and β-carotene.     

我国规模化牧场奶牛酮病防治状况调查分析

[目的]为了解2021年我国规模化牧场奶牛酮病发病情况和防控状况。[方法]本文选择105个规模化牧场进行调查,包括酮病发病率、诊断和监测方法、治疗方法、治愈率、防控方法和治疗成本等。[结果]牧场奶牛平均单产为9.7 t,酮病平均发病率为17.9%,高于国外控制目标。大多数牧场奶牛酮病诊断和监测,主要采用检测血液中β-羟丁酸浓度的方法,奶牛酮病治愈率无论单一或综合措施都达90%以上,奶牛酮病综合防控效果明显好于单一措施。[结论]目前我国规模化牧场奶牛酮病发病率控制目标、诊断和监测、治疗和防控仍需更多研究,完善和制定相应的技术规范,为规模化牧场奶牛酮病的高效防控提供技术支撑。     

Subclinical ketosis in dairy cows

Subclinical ketosis is defined as a preclinical stage of ketosis. The peak prevalence of subclinical ketosis occurs during the fourth week of lactation. Herd-related factors, breed, parity, and season are other important determinants. Subclinical ketosis can be revealed by determining levels of plasma glucose, plasma NEFA and blood, and milk or urine ketone body concentration. There are theoretical and practical advantages of using milk ketone bodies. Most authors are agreed on approximate lower and upper borderlines for subclinical ketosis. The risk of an outbreak of clinical symptoms has been evaluated by some authors. Most authors have found significant negative relationships between energy balance and ketone body concentration. Some disagreement may be attributable to the fact that the diets used in different experiments can have different glucogenic potential, even if the energy content is the same. This affects the relationship between energy balance and ketone body concentration, as the ketone body level is influenced by both the energy balance and plasma glucose. Feeding silage with high butyric acid content increases the risk of subclinical ketosis. There are indications that cows with the highest milk yield directly after calving are at greatest risk for developing ketosis. Increased ketone body level secondarily reduces milk production, a decrease that has been quantified by some authors. Subclinical ketosis causes delayed reproductive functions return to normal after calving, increased intervals from calving to first and last service, and an increased frequency of ovarian cysts. The routine determination of milk acetone levels in control programs can be used to evaluate the status of individual cows, to indicate the energy feeding in early lactation at a herd level, and to evaluate sires for breeding. The heritability and the tendency toward a positive genetic correlation between milk acetone and milk yield have also been discussed, as have aspects of nutritional prevention. Factors such as energy- and protein-rich roughage, tasty high-energy concentrates, suitable feeding during the dry period, and division of the concentrates into at least four meals are considered to be important.     

Peripartum back fat thickness of multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows with displacement of the abomasum or ketosis

To establish a method to predict postpartum diseases using prepartum back fat thickness (BFT), the peripartum BFTs of 54 healthy multiparous cows before calving, which were diagnosed with postpartum displacement of the abomasum (DA), clinical ketosis or subclinical ketosis were compared with those of healthy cows from 8 weeks before the expected calving date to 8 weeks after calving. The peripartum BFTs of the cows with DA or clinical ketosis were significantly higher than those of healthy cows. The peripartum BFTs of the cows with subclinical ketosis were not significantly higher than those of the healthy cows.     

The relationship between herd level disease incidence and a return over feed index in Ontario dairy herds

The objective of the current research was to examine the association of herd level disease incidence with the return over feed (ROF) (milk income minus feed cost) herd profit index offered through Canwest Dairy Herd Improvement. The lactational incidence risks (LIR) for displaced abomasum, retained placenta, clinical mastitis, milk fever, clinical ketosis, and lameness submitted by producers (n = 48) were similar to previous reports. However, there was no negative association of clinical disease LIR's with ROE Subclinical ketosis and subclinical mastitis cumulative incidence were determined during the early postpartum period by using a cow-side test for betahydroxybutyrate in milk and the California Mastitis Test, respectively. Subclinical mastitis was not associated with ROE However, a unit increase in the cumulative incidence of subclinical ketosis was associated with a decrease of dollars 0.015/cow/day in the ROE The results highlight the economic significance that subclinical ketosis may have in Ontario dairy herds.     

Prevalence of bovine ketosis in relation to number and stage of lactation

The prevalence of bovine ketosis as distributed among various selected subgroups of 504 Ayrshire and Friesian cows was studied during the indoor-housing season 1978–1979 in western and eastern parts of Finland. Special attention was paid to variation by lactation number. Also the differences in prevalence at various phases of lactation and at the end of pregnancy were investigated. The whole blood concentration of acetoacetate (AA concn) was analysed and used as a measure of subclinical and clinical bovine ketosis. AA cocns below 0.35 mmol/1, between 0.36 mmol/1 and 1.05 mmol/1 and over 1.05 mmol/1 were considered to indicate normal, subclinal and clinical ketotic stages, respectively. The prevalence of clinical ketosis in cows during 3 post-calving months was 13 %. The percentage of subclinical ketosis was 34. The prevalence of clinical ketosis was 3 %, 7 %, 20 %, 22 % and 13 % at the first, second, third, fourth and fifth, or sixth and later calving, respectively, and the frequency of subclinical ketosis 31 %, 41 %, 35 %, 32 % and 32 %, respectively. No case of ketosis was found in 54 cows at the end phase of pregnancy and only one during the first postcalving week. Only 2 cows (4 %) had the AA concn at a clinically ketotic level during the 65th—92nd postcalving days, 16 %, 17 % and 16 % during the 8th—21st, 22nd—42nd and 43rd—64th postcalving days, respectively.Key words: acetoacetate blood concentration, prevalence of bovine ketosis, lactation number, stage of lactation