METABOLIC PROFILE TESTING IN DAIRY COWS

METABOLIC PROFILE TESTING IN DAIRY COWS

Dr. Kuldeep Kumar¹ and Dr. Sandhya Morwal²

¹Assistant Professor, epartment of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Apollo College of Veterinary Medicine, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302031

²Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Navania, Udaipur, Rajasthan 334001

Introduction:

Modern farming imposes severe strains on the metabolism of dairy cows. Every effort is made to secure high yields at minimum cost. New types of feed and unconventional methods of husbandry are adding to the strain and possibly introducing hidden dangers to the metabolic health of the animal. The incidence of metabolic diseases is highest in the period commencing at calving and extending until the peak of lactation. This is mainly due to the rapid loss of water, sodium, calcium, magnesium, chlorides, phosphates etc. through milk or lack of digestion or absorption these metabolites from digestive tract. In addition, if the continued nutritional demands of pregnancy are exacerbated by an inadequate diet in the dry period, the incidence of metabolic disease will increase. These metabolic changes in dairy cows are directly related to production, health and reproductive performance and causes huge losses to dairy farming. Diagnosis of metabolic disease by performing metabolic profile test during subclinical and early stage might be useful in optimizing health, production and reproductive performance of dairy cattle and in combat to economic losses to dairy owner. Metabolic profile test is based on the concept that the laboratory measurement of components of the blood or other biological materials will reflect the nutritional status of the animal, with or without the presence of clinical abnormalities.

Metabolic profile test is used to

• Know the cause of low production or low reproductive
• To test the qualitative and quantitative adequacy of the
• For early diagnosis of nutritional deficiencies or metabolic/ production
• For selection of superior

Certain parameters and their interpretation in metabolic Profile testing

 Low blood glucose is associated with the development of ketosis and infertility in cows. Blood glucose low in early lactation and during winter because of heavy demand for glucose in lactation and in winter energy intake low to meet requirements. Blood Glucose Vary considerably and elevation may also be associated with excitement. However, estimation of plasma non esterified free fatty acids (NEFA) is more sensitive than blood glucose in assessing energy status. Elevated NEFA concentrations during the last 7 days before calving is associated with greater incidence of ketosis, displacement of abomasum and retained fetal membranes. Estimation of blood sugar, cholesterol and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) is considered useful in predicting parturition syndrome (fat cow syndrome).

There is a direct relationship between protein intake and the concentration of blood urea nitrogen. Low concentration of urea indicate that protein intake is minimal and an early warning that “low protein status” may develop in lactating cows later if protein intake is not increased. Milk urea Nitrogen (MUN) elevated values reflect excess protein feeding for given level of production. Milk urea testing is a non-invasive alternate to blood urea testing. Low levels of albumin and haemoglobin are indicative of a long-standing low protein status. Concentrations of albumin are directly related to number of services required for conception.

Serum calcium levels vary only within narrow limits and are not sensitive indications of input- output balance. However abnormally low levels of calcium in late pregnancy indicate chances of milk fever after calving. Low environmental temperature, lush grass in pasture after rain may heralds the occurrence of hypomagnesaemia. Serum inorganic phosphorous levels tend to fall following long term insufficient dietary intake. Hyperphosphatasemia may occur in cattle grazing on highly fertilized pasture. Hyponatremia is frequently linked with “licking syndrome” in cattle. Sodium levels down to 135 mmol/L may be associated with depraved appetite, polydipsia and polyuria. Serum potassium levels have been difficult to interpret because the levels of this electrolyte in serum are not necessarily indicative of potassium deficiency. Muscle weakness occur during hypokalemia and that indicate cellular potassium depletion.

Metabolic profile tests for diagnosis and prognosis of diseases in cattle

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