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

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Animal Medicine Department, Faculty of Vet. Medicine, Benha University

2 Animal Medicine Dept., Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, biochemical and hepatic ultrasonographic changes in ketotic dairy cows. For
that purpose, we examined 42 lactating Holstein- Friesian cows with ages from 3- 10 years old during the post parturient
period (up to 6 weeks postpartum). The cows were classified into control healthy (C=20), subclinical ketotic cows
(SCK=17) and clinical ketotic cows (CK=5). Clinically, anorexia and reduction in milk yield were observed in CK cows.
The ruminal movements showed a significant depression (P<0.05) in CK than SCK and control. The serum glucose,
insulin and cortisol showed a highly significant decrease (P<0.001) in CK and SCK than control. The serum NEFA and
BHBA showed a highly significant increase (P<0.001) in CK and SCK than control. Serum cholesterol and HDL levels
showed a significant (P<0.01) decrease in SCK and CK cows than control. Serum triglycerides (TG) and very low density
lipoprotein (VLDL) were significantly decreased (P<0.01) in CK than control. The serum activity of AST, ALT and GGT
were significantly increased (P<0.05) in CK cows than control. Serum Ca and P levels were significantly decreased
(P<0.05) in CK cows than SCK and control. Regarding the oxidative stress biomarkers, serum level of malondialdehyde
(MDA) showed a highly significant (P<0.001) increase in CK cows than SCK and control whereas, serum superoxide
dismutase (SOD) level was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in CK cows than control. Hepatic ultrasonography of ketotic
cows revealed varying degrees of fatty infiltration (focal and diffuse fatty infiltration) appeared as increased hepatic
echogenicity with a blurring of hepatic blood vessels. It is concluded that ketosis induced clinical, biochemical and
ultrasonographical changes in lactating cows. Oxidant injury could be implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease

Keywords