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Milk Test for Ketosis in Dairy Cows¹

Department of Dairy Husbandry, University of Wisconsin, Madison

ABSTRACT

Twenty cows considered susceptible to ketosis were tested with a qualitative milk test for ketosis at weekly intervals for 4 wk. following calving. The results were compared with the quantitative levels of ketones in the blood and milk and the outward symptoms of ketosis.

The milk test gave a conservative but accurate indication of the degree of ketosis. Fifty per cent of the cows maintained negative milk tests and showed no symptoms of ketosis. Forty per cent showed at least one mildly positive milk test, but did not require ketosis treatment. Ten per cent showed markedly positive milk tests and required treatment.

There was a correlation coefficient of +0.87 between the blood and milk levels of the ketone fraction made up of acetoacetic acid and acetone. A lower correlation coefficient of +0.36 between the blood and milk levels of betahydroxybutyric acid could be attributed to utilization of this acid by the mammary gland. Total milk ketones were a little less than one-half the blood ketones.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station.