HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Radloff, H. D. Articles by Schultz, L. H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Radloff, H. D. Articles by Schultz, L. H.

Blood and Rumen Changes in Cows in Early Stages of Ketosis^{1, 2,}

Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to determine blood and rumen changes in cows in the early stages of ketosis. Blood sugars and plasma triglycerides were significantly depressed, whereas plasma free fatty acids (FFA) and blood ketones were significantly elevated during this stage of ketosis. There was no apparent abnormality in total concentration of ruminal volatile fatty acids (VFA) or the percentages of the various VFA's, at this stage of ketosis. In a more advanced stage of ketosis, the total concentration was depressed, whereas the percentage of acetate was increased and propionate depressed. It appears that the ruminal changes in advanced ketosis were due to reduced feed intake and were not a causetive factor in ketosis. An evaluation of the relationships between the blood components in early ketosis suggested that the level of blood sugars was the controlling factor mediating other blood changes.

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

² Supported by NIH Grant AM 08546-01 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases.

³ Present address: Division of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming.