The use of propyleneglycol for the prevention of ketosis of cows in the fresh period

Abstract

Relevance. Prevention of ketosis in freshly calved cows is one of the urgent problems in the industry. The article presents data on the results of the use of propyleneglycol in the diets of cows during the transit period.Methods. For the study, 2 groups of cows were formed, control and experimental, with 30 heads each. The cows of the control group were fed the rations for dry and dairy cows of the highly productive group adopted on the farm. Cows of the experimental group in the dry period two weeks before calving in addition to the diet of the control group got 150 g of propyleneglycol per head per day and for two weeks after calving — 250 g.Results. It was found that the addition of propyleneglycol to the diets of cows for two weeks before calving and four — after — turned out to be expedient in the prevention of ketosis during the milking period. Analysis of milk for the presence of ketone bodies using test strips on the 10th day of lactation revealed positive results in 10% of cows in the control group, while 17% of cows were at risk. Analogical studies conducted on the 30th and 60th days of lactation showed the presence of ketone bodies in 7 and 3% of cows of the control group respectively, with questionable results in 6 and 4%. At the same time, in cowsof the experimental group, receiving propyleneglycol, this analysis did not show signs of ketosis.