Ketone Bodies in Milk and Blood of Dairy Cows: Relationship between Concentrations and Utilization for Detection of Subclinical Ketosis

In early lactation dairy cattle suffer metabolic alterations caused by negative energy balance, which predisposes to fatty liver and ketosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic condition of high yielding dairy cows subjected to three treatments for preventing severe lipomobilization and ketosis in early lactation. Fifty four multiparous Holstein cows yielding >30 L/day were divided into four groups: control (CN= no treatment), glucose precursor (PG= propylene-glycol), hepatic protector (Mp= Mercepton®), and energy supplement with salts of linolenic and linoleic faty acids (Mg-E= Megalac-E®). Treatments were administrated randomly at moment of calving until 8 weeks postpartum. Blood samples were collected on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 postpartum. Body condition score (BCS) was evaluated at the same periods and milk yield was recorded at 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th weeks of lactation. Concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), albumin, AST, ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), cholesterol, glucose, total protein, urea and triglycerides were analyzed in blood samples. Cut-off points for subclinical ketosis were defined when BHBA >1.4 mmol/L and NEFA >0.7 mmol/L. General occurrence of subclinical ketosis was 24% during the period. An ascendant curve of cholesterol and glucose was observed from the 1st to the 8th week of lactation, while any tendency was observed with BHBA and NEFA, although differences among treatments were detected (p<0.05). BCS decreased from a mean of 3.85 at 1st week to 2.53 at 8th week of lactation (p=0.001). Milk yield was higher in the Mg-E group compared with the other treatment groups (p<0.05) Compared with the CN group, the treatments with Mp and PG did not show significant differences in blood biochemistry and milk yield. Cows receiving PG and Mg-E showed higher values of BHBA and NEFA (P<0.05), indicating accentuated lipomobilization. Supplementation with Mg-E also resulted in significant higher concentrations of cholesterol, BHBA, urea, AST and lower values of glycemia. This performance may be explained by the highest milk yield observed with this treatment. Treatments with PG and Mp did not improve milk yield, compared with control cows, but did not show metabolic evidence of ketosis, fat mobilization or fatty liver. These results suggest that treatment with Mg-E improves milk production but induces a higher negative energy balance leading to moderated lipomobilization and ketone bodies production, increasing the risk of fatty liver.

Download Full-text

Subclinical Ketosis on Dairy Cows in Transition Period in Farms with Contrasting Butyric Acid Contents in Silages

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2014/279614 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fernando Vicente ◽

María Luisa Rodríguez ◽

Adela Martínez-Fernández ◽

Ana Soldado ◽

Alejandro Argamentería ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Butyric Acid ◽

Acid Content ◽

Transition Period ◽

Ketone Bodies ◽

Energy Content ◽

Fatty Acid Analysis ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Urine Samples ◽

Subclinical Ketosis

This study examines the relationship between subclinical ketosis (SCK) in dairy cows and the butyric acid content of the silage used in their feeding. Twenty commercial farms were monitored over a period of 12 months. The feed at each farm and the silages used in its ration were sampled monthly for proximal analysis and for volatile fatty acid analysis. A total of 2857 urine samples were taken from 1112 cows to examine the ketonuria from about 30 days prepartum to 100 postpartum. Wide variation was recorded in the quality of silages used in the preparation of diets. Approximately 80% of the urine samples analyzed had no detectable ketone bodies, 16% returned values indicative of slight SCK, and the remainder, 4%, showed symptoms of ketosis. Most of the cases of hyperkenuria were associated with the butyric acid content of the silage used (r2=0.56;P<0.05). As the metabolizable energy content of the feed was similar, no relationship was observed between the proportion of cows with SCK and the energy content of the feed. In our study, the probability of dairy cows suffering SCK is higher when they are eating feed made from silage with a high butyric acid content (35.2 g/kg DM intake).

Download Full-text

EVALUATION OF DIAGNOSTIC METHODS FOR SUBCLINICAL KETOSIS IN DAIRY COWS

Ġylym ža̋ne bìlìm ◽

10.52578/2305-9397-2021-1-1-145-151 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 145-151

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Gold Standard ◽

Electronic Device ◽

Ketone Bodies ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Gold Standard Method ◽

Subclinical Ketosis ◽

Test Strips ◽

Milk Samples

The article presents the results of a study of the sensitivity and specificity of two types of ketone test strips for detecting latent ketosis in dairy cows. During the experiment, test strips KetoPHAN and Keto-Test, showing the number of ketone bodies in milk and urine, were used in 108 Holstein-Friesian cows for 2-15 days after calving. Blood, urine and milk samples were taken simultaneously from the same cows. In general, subclinical ketosis in cows was determined by the level of beta-hydroxybutyrate in blood plasma by an enzymatic method («gold standard» method). The sensitivity and specificity of the test tests were evaluated at various levels of β-hydroxybutyrate. The maximum level of subclinical ketosis in cows was calculated as a β-hydroxybutyrate concentration of 1.2 mmol / L or higher. When evaluating test strips on urine and milk samples, the best results were obtained in the β-hydroxybutyrate range of 1.4 mmol / L and above. In this range, the sensitivity of the test strips to urine was high (95%), the specificity was moderate (70%). The sensitivity and specificity of milk tests were high (90% and 96%, respectively). The prevalence of subclinical ketosis in cows was studied using an electronic device (FreeStyle Optium). The prevalence of latent ketosis was different: FreeStyle - 25.0%, KetoPHAN - 48.1%, Keto-Test - 13.1%. The data obtained from the electronic device is close to the data obtained according to the "gold standard" (22.2%). Although milk and urine test strips are optimal for the diagnosis of subclinical ketosis at a plasma β-hydroxybutyrate level of 1.4 mmol / L, they can be used to predict and control ketosis in dairy cows due to their simplicity and availability.

Download Full-text

Diagnosis of subclinical ketosis in dairy cows

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah1902111d ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 111-125

Author(s):

Radojica Djokovic ◽

Zoran Ilic ◽

Vladimir Kurcubic ◽

Milos Petrovic ◽

Marko Cincovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Gold Standard ◽

Ketone Body ◽

Ketone Bodies ◽

Standard Test ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Lactation Period ◽

Subclinical Ketosis ◽

Gold Standard Test ◽

Increased Risk

Ketosis is a common disease in high producing dairy cows during the early lactation period. Subclinical ketosis (SCK) and periparturient diseases considerably account for economic and welfare losses in dairy cows. Subclinical ketosis poses an increased risk of production-related diseases such as clinical ketosis, displaced abomasum, retained placenta, lameness, mastitis and metritis. Production efficiency decreases (lower milk production, poor fertility, and increased culling rates), which results in economic losses. Increased concentrations of circulating ketone bodies, predominantly ?-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), without the presence of clinical signs of ketosis are considered as SCK. It is characterized by increased levels of ketone bodies in the blood, urine and milk. The gold standard test for ketosis is blood BHB. This ketone body is more stable in blood than acetone or acetoacetate. The most commonly used cut-points for subclinical ketosis are 1.2 mmol/L or 1.4 mmol/L for BHB in the blood. Clinical ketosis generally involves much higher levels of BHB, about 3.0 mmol/L or more. Usually, detection of SCK is carried out by testing ketone body concentrations in blood, urine and milk. A variety of laboratory and cowside tests are available for monitoring ketosis in dairy herds. But no cowside test has perfect sensitivity and specificity compared to blood BHB as the gold standard test. The aim of this review is to overview diagnostic tests for SCK in dairy cows, including laboratory and cowside tests.

Download Full-text

Ketone bodies in blood of dairy cows: Prevalence and monitoring of subclinical ketosis

Acta Veterinaria Brno ◽

10.2754/avb201483040411 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 83 (4) ◽

pp. 411-416 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marek Krempaský ◽

Iveta Maskaľová ◽

Lukáš Bujňák ◽

Vladimír Vajda

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Ketone Bodies ◽

Photometric Method ◽

Hydroxybutyric Acid ◽

Subclinical Ketosis ◽

Cattle Herds ◽

Lactation Phase ◽

The Relationship ◽

Photometrical Method

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between concentration of non-esterified fatty acid and ketone bodies in blood of dairy cows, and to evaluate these concentrations for the detection of prevalence of subclinical ketosis. The second aim was to compare the concentration of β-hydroxybutyric acid determined by an electronic handheld meter Precision Xtra® with serum concentration of β-hydroxybutyric acid analysed in laboratory with izotachometric and photometric method, respectively. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein 4–6 h after morning feeding in three groups of Holstein cows (n = 909) according to the lactation phase from 51 different herds with similar husbandry characteristics. High lipomobilization (non-esterified fatty acid ≥ 0.35 mmol·l-1, mean concentration 0.34 ± 0.15 mmol·l-1) was detected in 30.3% of antepartum cows, while increased concentrations of β-hydroxybutyric acid (≥ 1.0 mmol·l-1, prevalence of subclinical ketosis) were detected in 18.5% and 14.1% of the early lactation and mid lactation cows, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r = 0.84, P < 0.001; r = 0.93, P < 0.001) was found between measurements of whole blood β-hydroxybutyric acid of 60 and 38 dairy cows determined with the Precision Xtra® test and plasma or serum β-hydroxybutyric acid concentration determined by isotachophoresis and photometrical method, respectively. Our results show that the monitoring of changes in the blood concentration of β-hydroxybutyric acid in high-yielding cows in the early postpartum period by the electronic handheld meter Precision Xtra® may be effective in reducing the incidence of ketosis and health problems associated with ketosis in dairy cattle herds.

Download Full-text

Changes in selected biochemical parameters during subclinical and clinical ketosis in dairy cows

Medycyna Weterynaryjna ◽

10.21521/mw.6133 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 74 (10) ◽

pp. 6133-2019

Author(s):

YUANYUAN CHEN ◽

ZHIHAO DONG ◽

RUIRUI LI ◽

CHUANG XU

Keyword(s):

Lipid Metabolism ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Perinatal Period ◽

Oxidative Capacity ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Negative Energy Balance ◽

Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 ◽

Acid Oxidation ◽

Subclinical Ketosis

Negative energy balance (NEB) is a common pathological cause of ketosis. As the major organs of lipid metabolism, the liver and fat tissue take part in regulating lipid oxidative capacity and energy demands, which is also a key metabolic pathway that regulates NEB development during the perinatal period. Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) is a novel metabolic regulator involved in the control of fatty acid oxidation and lipid metabolism during a prolonged negative energy balance. Our study determined a correlation between serum FGF21 and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) levels in dairy cows with ketosis. We used sixty cows with low milk yield, abnormal glucose metabolism, and ketosis. Serum FGF21 and BHBA levels were measured using commercial kits. Serum FGF21 increased with increasing BHBA levels up to 1.6 mmol/L. At BHBA levels > 1.6 mmol/L, FGF21 decreased. Serum FGF21 levels were positively associated with BHBA levels, particularly in dairy cows with subclinical ketosis (r = 0.647, P < 0.01). At BHBA levels between 1.2 mmol/L and 1.6 mmol/L, FGF21 was more closely correlated with BHBA than with other metabolic parameters. At BHBA levels > 1.6 mmol/L, the association between FGF21 and BHBA was not significant. In conclusion, our results show that FGF21 was closely related with SK in cows. FGF21 may be a promising regulator in the prevention of subclinical ketosis.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of Precision Xceed® for on-site monitoring of blood ß-hydroxybutyric acid and glucose in dairy cows

Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society ◽

10.12681/jhvms.14839 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

pp. 109 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

N. PANOUSIS (Ν. ΠΑΝΟΥΣΗΣ) ◽

M. KRITSEPI (Μ. ΚΡΙΤΣΕΠΗ) ◽

I. KARAGIANNIS (Ι. ΚΑΡΑΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ) ◽

E. KALAITZAKIS (ΕΜ. ΚΑΛΑΪΤΖΑΚΗΣ) ◽

E. LAFI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

False Negative ◽

Laboratory Method ◽

Hydroxybutyric Acid ◽

Subclinical Ketosis ◽

Lactating Cows ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Site Monitoring ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Positive Correlations

The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the Precision Xceed® hand-held meter as an on-site method for determining blood ß-hydroxyboutyric acid (BHBA) and glucose concentrations, for the diagnosis of subclinical ketosis in dry and lactating dairy cows. A total of 163 clinically healthy Holstein cows (113 lactating, 8-50 days-in-milk; and 50 dry, 10-40 days pre-partum) from 5 farms located around Thessaloniki region, were blood-sampled once, from the jugular vein of each animal, 5 to 8 hours after the start of morning feeding. BHBA was determined in all 163 cows, whereas glucose only in 114 cows (50 dry and 64 lactating cows). These analyses were performed, for each cow, by both laboratory method (in serum) and Precision Xceed® meter (in whole blood, cowside). Using laboratory serum BHBA concentrations > 1.2 mmol/L as the cut-off point, 11/163 (6.7%) of the tested cows were considered as subclinically ketotic, whereas raising the cut-off to > 1.4 mmol/L, 9/163 (5.5%) cows had subclinical ketosis. All these cows (11 and 9, respectively) were lactating. None of the dry cows had subclinical ketosis at BHBA cut-off of > 1.4 mmol/L. One out of the 50 dry cows (2%) and 15/113 (13.3%) lactating cows sampled were classified as subclinically ketotic when the Precision Xceed® meter was set at BHBA concentrations > 1.2 mmol/L. Overall, mean BHBA and glucose concentrations were not statistically different (P>0.05) between the two methods. Significant positive correlations were found for BHBA (strong correlation: r=0.99; n=163; P<0.01) and glucose (moderate correlation: r=0.63; n=114; P<0.01) concentrations between Precision Xceed® and laboratory results. Precision Xceed® is less accurate for measuring glucose (glucometer) compared to BHBA (ketometer). The low percentage of false positive (<0.6%) and false negative (<4%) indicating that the Precision Xceed® meter is an accurate screening test and its results are highly reliable under field conditions. Precision Xceed® meter was highly sensitive (90.9%) and specific (96.05%) at cut off point of BHBA concentrations > 1.2 mmol/L and it had excellent test agreement for detection of subclinical ketosis when using a threshold of blood BHBA > 1.4 mmol/L.

Download Full-text

Ketone bodies – causes and effects of their increased presence in cows' body fluids: A review

Veterinary World ◽

10.14202/vetworld.2021.1492-1503 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1492-1503

Author(s):

Piotr Guliński

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

High Performance ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Ketone Bodies ◽

Good Condition ◽

Body Fluids ◽

Protein Ratio ◽

Loss Of Appetite ◽

Point Body ◽

Main Component

Ketosis is the most common metabolic disease in high-performance dairy cows during the first 6-8 weeks of lactation. Its main symptoms include an excessive amount of so-called ketone bodies in a cow's body fluids. Ketone bodies consist of β-hydroxybutyric acid (βHBA), acetoacetic acid, and acetone. βHBA is the main component with its share of the total volume of ketone bodies in the blood of about 70%. Clinical symptoms of ketosis in cows include loss of appetite, preference for forage to concentrated feed, and acetone odor in their mouth and urine. Those symptoms are accompanied by a production drop, an increase of concurrent illness (mastitis, metritis, and displaced abomasum), and poor reproductive performance. One of the ketosis characteristic effects is an increase in the level of fat in milk (>5%), while protein levels decrease (<2.9%). In the case of subclinical ketosis (SCK), the fat–protein ratio in milk is increased to above 1.4:1. The current consensus for SCK is to consider a cutoff point of βHBA to be at least 1.2 mmol/L in blood plasma. Ketosis prevention is based on keeping perinatal cows in good condition, that is, with around 3.5 points in the five-point body condition scoring, carefully balancing food doses during the first 2 months of lactation with the correct energy–protein ratio. Glucose precursor products should be administered orally, in particular to at-risk herds. Ketosis occurs in 7-14% on average of the total number of cows in a herd. In general, data on the prevalence of SCK vary considerably, depending on their source. Moreover, the problem is mostly observed in poorly-fed animals with high milk production potential. The objectives of this review are to reveal the current situation of ketosis prevalence, the possibility of diagnosis, consequences in dairy cows and to provide some recommendations for ketosis treatment and prevention.

Download Full-text

Detection of Subclinical Ketosis in Urine of Cattle and Buffaloes

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-4512 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nishtha Kushwah ◽

Mahendra Singh ◽

Ashwani Kumar Roy

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Glucose Level ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Ketone Bodies ◽

Calculated Data ◽

Test Strip ◽

Urine Samples ◽

Subclinical Ketosis ◽

Crossbred Cows ◽

Sahiwal Cows

Background: Subclinical ketosis (SCK) in dairy cows is a common metabolic disorder and a strong determinant of the health and performance of cows throughout lactation. Considerable amount of milk loss takes place with SCK incidence in dairy animals. Greater benefits are to be gained by monitoring the cows for SCK. The current study was aimed to find out incidence of SCK by urine test strip (Keto-Diastix). Methods: The present investigation was carried out on crossbred and Sahiwal cows and Murrah buffaloes (n=180) of the institute herd and rural dairy farms (n=97) around Karnal. The urine samples were tested for subclinical ketosis (SCK) 5-60 days postpartum from August 2019 to March 2020. Meteriological data on wet and dry bulb temperature and ambient temperature was collected and THI was calculated. Data of SCK incidence was classified based on stages of early lactation (5-20, 21-40 and 41-60d), parity (I, II, III and above), seasons (hot-humid, autumn, winter and spring) and milk production level ( less than 10kg, 10-20 kg and greater than 20 kg/d). Milk yield and environment variables were recorded during the experiment. Urine ketone and glucose level was detected by keto-Diastix to find out incidence of SCK. Result: Mean level of ketone bodies in urine was higher (P less than 0.01) in high yielding cows as compared to the medium yielders; however it did not vary in buffaloes. Ketone bodies in urine were high (P less than 0.01) in crossbred cows than that of buffaloes and Sahiwal cows. Urine glucose level did not vary among cows and buffaloes. It is concluded that high producing crossbred cows are more vulnerable to SCK between 41-60d of lactation and in III parity and above due to peak milk production. Sahiwal cows and buffaloes suffer less from SCK probably due to medium level of milk production. Factors like high milk yield, higher parity and hot-humid stress makes the animal more vulnerable to SCK. The screening of urine samples of animals at monthly intervals may be practiced by the farmers to monitor the incidence of SCK.

Download Full-text

Accuracy of two hand-held electronic devices for determination of blood β-hydroxybutyrate in dairy cows

Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal ◽

10.1590/s1519-99402017000300004 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 439-445 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eliana FIORENTIN ◽

Anderson TIECHER ◽

Cristina MENEGAT ◽

Clarice SOARES ◽

Adelina AIRES ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Standard Method ◽

Electronic Devices ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Standard Technique ◽

Portable Devices ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Subclinical Ketosis ◽

Significant Difference

SUMMARY The cowside determination of blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is an important tool for diagnosing subclinical ketosis in dairy cattle. Portable methods to measure BHB have been introduced in the past years. This study evaluated the accuracy of two hand-held electronic devices for blood determination of BHB in dairy cows at early postpartum. A total of 98 blood samples were collected from dairy cows in the first month of lactation and tested with FreeStyle Optium (FSO, Abbott) and KetoVet (KVE, TaiDoc) portable devices according to the manufacturer instructions. Spectrophotometric BHB analysis (Ranbut, Randox) was used as standard method. The incidence of subclinical ketosis was 37.7 % determined by the standard method, 40.8 % determined by the FSO system and 42.8 % detected with the KVE system. The sensitivity and specificity indexes were 88.1% and 98.4% for FSO and 78.7% and 92.4% for KVE, respectively. The Pearson´s correlation coefficients comparing the portable devices to the standard technique were 0.96 for FSO and 0.93 for KVE. No significant difference in BHB values was found between the two portable tests and the standard method. Predictive values (PV) were better using FSO (positive PV 97.3 %, negative PV 92.4%) than using KVE (positive PV 88.1 %, negative PV 85.9 %). Passing-Bablok regressions revealed good agreement between methods. Though FSO system had a better performance than KVE system, the results suggest that the two portable systems have good accuracy and are reliable for measuring BHB.

Download Full-text