Interrelationships Between Blood Metabolites and an Evaluation of Their Use as Criteria of Energy Status of Cows in Early Lactation

Abstract

were found between these parameters in the control group. The correlations between blood glucose, acetoacetate and p-hydroxybutyrate and energy balance were very low. Plasma-free fatty acid levels were more closely associated with energy balance than were the other blood metabolites. When energy balance and free fatty acid correlations were compared for ketotic and control groups, only the control group showed a significant (P < 0.01) coefficient (r --0.42). The correlation between mean plasma-free fatty acids and mean body weight change over the experimental period for all animals, with time and treatment effects removed, was significant (r --0;54, P < 0.01). The estimated free fatty acid level at zero body weight change was 0.53 p eq per ml plasma. It is concluded that although free fatty acid levels are more sensitive than glucose as an indicator of energy status of the lactating cow, the excessive variability of this relationship during early Iactation drastically limits its usefulness.On a calcul6 les coefficients de corr6lation et de r6gression pour les m6tabolites' du sang, les composants du lait, le bilan 6nerg6tique et la valorisation de l'6nergie sur un total de 120 vaches. Ces derniEres recevaient des rations exp6rimentales contenant du propyldne-glycol et du glyc6rol; on a calcul6 les coefficients de cor-

Metabolic Balance and Reproductive Performance in Finnish Dairy Cows

“…During energy deficiency, glucose values tend to decrease, whereas the concentrations of acetoacetate (AA) and p-hydroxybutyrate (HB) increase. The correlations between blood glucose, AA, HB and energy balance have been weak in many investigations ( ERFLE et al, 1974;HERDT et al, 1981;KUNZ and BLUM, 1985).…”

Changes in plasma concentrations of glucose, free fatty acids, ketone bodies, thyroxine and insulin of lactating beef cows in relation to time of feeding and energy status

“…In the past, concentrations of 3 plasma constituents (glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), ketone bodies (KB)) have been used as indicators of energy status (Bowden, 1971)> although there is little published work on their comparative value in this regard (Erfle, Fisher and Sauer, 1974;Fisher, Donnelly, Hutton and Duganzich, 1975)• It is also possible that plasma hormone concentrations may act as additional parameters of energy status, although there is at present little evidence to support this. Previous work in lactating beef cows consuming high-roughage rations (Coggins and Field, 1976) provided evidence for marked diurnal variations, which were probably prandial in origin, in the plasma concentrations of glucose, FFA and KB.…”

Effect of Energy Balance on Plasma Glucose and Ketone Bodies in Blood and Milk and Influence of Hyperketonaemia on Milk Production of Postparturient Dairy Cows3

“…(1974), PARKER and LEWIS (1978) and DALE et a]. (1978), but not with data from ERFLE et al (1974), PARKER and BLOWEY (1976) and HERDT et al…”

“…A search has been made for metabolites involved in the development of hyperketonaemia and their possible routine use as indicators of energy deficit. Correlations between nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in plasma and the energy balance (REID and HINKS, 1962; RUSSEL et al, 1967;BOWDEN, 1971;ERFLE et al, 1974;PARKER and BLOWEY, 1976;PARKER and LEWIS, 1978) or energy intake (HOLMES and LAMBOURNE, 1970) have been reported in cows and ewes. O n the other handJONssoN and PEHRSON (1972) did not find a significant relation between energy balance and NEFA during the first month post partum.…”