Characterization of metabolic changes during a protocol for inducing lactation ketosis in dairy cows

During the 5 wk immediately after parturition, five high producing cows that were overfed prepartum completed a protocol for inducement of ketosis. By 12 d postpartum, hepatic glycogen decreased by 75% and hepatic triglyceride, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate increased by 6, 4, and 2.5 times. The protocol, initiated at 2 wk postpartum, consisted of a 15 to 20% decrease from ad libitum feed intake plus dietary supplementation with 1,3-butanediol, a ketogenic substrate. Severity of the ketotic state increased gradually, and four cows developed clinical signs of ketosis at an average of 36 d postpartum. Glycogen was 90% depleted, and triglycerides, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate concentrations in liver were increased to 10, 10, and 15 times above average prepartum concentrations. In plasma, beta-hydroxybutyrate increased and glucose decreased. Plasma insulin exhibited an initial postpartal decrease (40%) but then was stable at that concentration through 36 d. After treatment for ketosis, glucose and insulin concentrations of plasma were greater than prepartal concentrations. Results indicate that a relatively simple protocol of prolonged energy deficit combined with an influx of ketone body precursors can induce experimental lactation ketosis in overfed cows. The protocol should be a valuable tool for ketosis research.

An epidemiological and genetic study on registered diseases in Finnish Ayrshire cattle. III. Metabolic diseases

The epidemiology of clinical ketosis, hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia was examined. In addition, the genetic variability of ketosis and parturient paresis was investigated. The data set consisted of the lactation records of 70,775 Finnish Ayrshire dairy cows. Each cow was under observation for 2 days before and for 305 days after calving. Lactation incidence rates (%) were: ketosis 6.0, parturient paresis 3.8, non-parturient paresis 0.6, hypomagnesaemic tetany, outdoor 0.6, and indoor 0.2. These diseases formed 22 % of all first treatments by veterinarians during farm visits. 92 % of the cases of ketosis occurred with 8 weeks of parturition, with the highest occurrence 3–5 weeks after calving. Four % of cases of parturient paresis occurred before, and 45 % within 24 h after calving. When cases were categorized by month of calving the risk of ketosis was higher during indoor feeding (October-April) than during outdoor feeding (May-September). The risk of parturient paresis did not significantly vary with month of calving. The occurrence of ketosis increased with parity up to the 4th and decreased thereafter. The occurrence of parturient paresis increased with parity. Both the increase in herd milk yield and the increase in individual milk yields were positively associated with the occurrence of ketosis and parturient paresis. The cows with a history of the reproductive tract infection had a higher risk of contracting ketosis. Heritability estimates for ketosis in various parity groups were from 1.6 % to 4.1 % on the binomial scale (corresponding to 7.3 %–14.4 % on the normal scale), and for parturient paresis from 3.5 to 10.5% (corresponding from 18.3 % to 27.4 %). The genetic correlation between ketosis and parturient paresis, and these and current milk production for all material were insignificant.

Path analysis of dry period nutrition, postpartum metabolic and reproductive disorders, and mastitis in Holstein cows

Path analysis and logistic regression were used to model direct and indirect relationships among clinical periparturient (within 30 d after calving) retained placenta, metritis, veterinary-assisted dystocia, uncomplicated and complicated ketosis, left displaced abomasum, parturient paresis, mastitis, and estimated nutrient intakes (protein, calcium, phosphorus, energy; coded into terciles) in the last 3 wk of the dry period. Data were from 1,374 multiparous Holstein lactations for calvings from March 1981 through February 1982 in 31 commercial herds in central New York. Periparturient disorders occurred as a complex. Odds ratios for the multiplicative effects of parturient paresis on incidence of veterinary-assisted dystocia, retained placenta, complicated ketosis, and clinical mastitis were 7.2, 4.0, 23.6, and 5.4, respectively. Reproductive disorders were interrelated. Retained placenta, left displaced abomasum, and parturient paresis directly increased risk of complicated ketosis (odds ratios were 16.4, 53.5, and 23.6, respectively). Higher terciles of estimated energy intake in the last 3 wk of the dry period decreased risk of veterinary-assisted dystocia and left displaced abomasum, while higher terciles of estimated protein intake decreased risk of retained placenta and uncomplicated ketosis. Estimated nutrient intakes were directly related to subsequent metabolic disorders and directly and indirectly related (mediated by metabolic disorders) to reproductive disorders. The study suggests that feeding higher intakes (relative to National Research Council recommendations) of protein and energy in the last 3 week of the dry period may reduce the incidence of metabolic and reproductive disorders. Exact recommendations as to the amounts and types of feed cannot be made from our results.

Propionate loading test for liver function in spontaneously ketotic dairy cows

Propionate utilisation by the liver in spontaneously ketotic dairy cows was investigated by determining blood glucose levels after an intravenous sodium propionate load (2.5 mmol kg-1). In addition, blood ketone body concentrations were measured after propionate loading. Cows were divided into three groups (control, mildly ketotic and severely ketotic) by their blood acetoacetate concentrations. Plasma glucose concentrations increased significantly after sodium propionate injection in all three groups (P less than 0.05). The maximum glucose concentration occurred earlier in the control group than in the ketotic groups. Changes in glucose concentrations following propionate loading of control and ketotic cows differed significantly at 20 minutes and beyond. Differences in the change in glucose concentration between mildly ketotic and severely ketotic cows were not significant. Acetoacetate concentration was significantly decreased at five minutes and beyond after the injection in ketotic cows, whereas beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration decreased more slowly. A decrease in beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration was significant at 40 minutes and beyond in the severely ketotic group and at 10 minutes and beyond in the mildly ketotic group after loading.

Ultrastructural changes of the liver in spontaneously ketotic cows

The ultrastructure of the liver in normal, mildly ketotic and severely ketotic cows was studied using stereological methods. In the liver of severely ketotic cows there is: (1) a significant increase in the volume fraction of hepatocytes and a decrease in the volume fraction of sinusoids, and (2) an increase in the volume fraction of lipid and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and a decrease in the volume fraction of glycogen and Golgi in parenchyma. A decrease in the profile density of mitochondria per 1 mm2 field and an increase of the volume occupied by mitochondria were not significant nor was the decrease in the volume density of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The degree and duration of negative energy balance obviously affect the morphological changes of the fatty liver. However, additional work is needed to determine the significance of ultrastructural changes in liver function.

Suppression of mitogenic response of bovine lymphocytes during experimental ketosis in calves

Experimental ketosis was induced by feeding calves a diet containing 1,3 butanediol for 9 or 10 days. Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate was significantly (P less than 0.05) elevated during clinical ketosis. The mitogenic response of the lymphocytes collected during ketosis was significantly (P less than 0.01) suppressed, and the suppression persisted for 2 weeks. During ketosis, all calves fed a 1,3 butanediol diet had clinical signs of an upper respiratory tract infection. Possible relationships between the suppressed function of lymphocytes, the increased concentration of 1,3 butanediol, and the increased susceptibility of the calves to infections during ketosis were considered.

Relationship between overfeeding, metritis and ketosis in high yielding dairy cows

The association between overfeeding before calving, metritis and ketosis in seven dairy herds was investigated. The overall rate of ketonuria in 695 adult cows tested routinely between seven and 14 days post partum was 18 per cent and that of post parturient uterine diseases was 56.5 per cent. Eighty per cent of all cows with ketonuria concurrently suffered from post parturient uterine diseases. Ketonuria was found by a retrospective analysis to be independently associated with both overfeeding before calving and post parturient uterine diseases. In view of the additional risks of both metritis and ketonuria associated with overfeeding before calving and the fact that the risk of ketonuria in cows which had metritis was also found to be associated with overfeeding, it is argued that the term 'complicated' rather than 'secondary' ketosis should be applied to such cases, and that appropriate therapeutic measures should be taken accordingly.

Glucagon, insulin, growth hormone, and some blood metabolites during energy restriction ketonemia of lactating cows

Six Holstein cows were sampled hourly for 24 h for plasma concentrations of hormones and metabolites. Cows were sampled at about 2 wk prepartum, at 3 wk postpartum, during a ketonemia induced by feed restriction to 54% of ad libitum intake, and after a recovery period. They were fed long alfalfa hay postpartum. The onset of lactation caused concentrations of growth hormone, glucagon, acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and total amino acids of plasma to increase and those of glucose and insulin to decrease. Feed restriction exacerbated changes at 3 wk postpartum except for total amino acids and glucagon, which both decreased to prepartal concentrations. Resumption of ad libitum feeding caused most hormones and metabolites to return to prepartum concentrations. Diurnal variations in response to feeding twice daily were most evident for growth hormone, free fatty acids, and total amino acids. The 3-wk postpartum and ketonemic periods gave the greatest responses to feeding. Molar ratios of insulin to glucagon and insulin to growth hormone tended to decrease at 3 wk postpartum and decreased further in ketonemia, demonstrating hormonal adaptations to decreased energy intake during lactation. Lactation ketosis results from more than severe energy deficit.

Ketosis in Norwegian dairy herds--some epidemiological associations

Ketosis data from the Health Card System, and interview data regarding feeding, housing, management and care were the basis for an epidemiological study in 306 Norwegian dairy herds.

Management and care were studied by means of an overall care index. The index was based on 20 questions which provided information about the general standard of management and care. Care was the factor having the most pronounced effect on the treatment rate of ketosis. Highest rates were seen in herds with a high standard of management and care, and lowest rates were seen in herds with a low standard.

Most ketosis was found in the mountain valley districts Nord-Østerdal/Gudbrandsdal and Valdres, and least in the lowland coastal district Rogaland. The treatment rate decreased with increasing herd size, and with increasing number of different feedstuffs used. Extra provision of feed concentrates between the morning and evening chores was associated with a lower treatment rate. Also associated with a lower treatment rate was the participation by the farmer’s wife in the daily chores.

In vitro hepatic gluconeogenesis during experimental ketosis produced in steers by 1,3-butanediol and phlorizin

Adaptations of in vitro incorporation of gluconeogenic substrates into glucose and adaptations of metabolite concentrations of liver to subcutaneous phlorizin and dietary 1,3-butanediol were examined for liver samples from dairy steers. Later, the same adaptations were examined after 6 days of feed restriction. Feeding 1,3-butanediol significantly decreased conversion of carbon-14 of lactate and propionate to glucose and to carbon dioxide. There were no changes of concentrations of hepatic glycogen or triglyceride, and increases were only minor for beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration. Both phlorizin, with or without 1,3-butanediol, and feed restriction significantly increased rates of carbon incorporation into glucose from aspartate, lactate, and propionate but did not change rates of oxidation to carbon dioxide. Phlorizin had no effect on hepatic glycogen or triglyceride concentrations, but feed restriction decreased liver glycogen and increased triglyceride concentrations. Changes associated with either phlorizin treatment or feed restriction are consistent with a decreased ratio of insulin to glucagon of blood plasma. When combined, phlorizin and 1,3-butanediol seem to have some utility for developing a ketosis model.

Glucose kinetics, plasma metabolites, and endocrine responses during experimental ketosis in steers

Phlorizin and 1,3-butanediol were used to determine effects of glucosuria and ketonemia on concentrations of metabolites in blood plasma and on kinetics of glucose metabolism. Four steers received four treatments (control; control plus dietary 1,3-butanediol; control plus phlorizin injections; and control plus phlorizin and 1,3-butanediol) in a Latin square design. Treatments lasted 14 days. All steers received a 30% grain, 70% forage ration in equal meals every 2 h. Metabolite concentrations in blood plasma and urine and glucose kinetics were measured on each of the last 3 days of each treatment period. Phlorizin caused glucosuria; decreased plasma glucose, glucose total entry rate, and glucose recycling; and increased plasma free fatty acids and glucose irreversible loss. Glucose pool size was increased by 1,3-butanediol. Phlorizin plus 1,3-butanediol caused glucosuria and ketonuria; decreased plasma glucose; and increased blood ketone bodies, plasma free fatty acids, glucose irreversible loss, and glucose pool size. Growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon were not affected by treatment. Physiological perturbations in these steers were characteristic of some of those in ketotic cows.

Plasma and liver metabolites and glucose kinetics as affected by prolonged ketonemia-glucosuria and fasting in steers

For 28 days, four steers received 1,3-butanediol, which causes ketonemia, and phlorizin, which causes glucosuria. Steers also were fasted for 9 days. Effects of treatments on concentrations of metabolites in blood and liver and on kinetics of glucose metabolism were determined. Treatments were: control, control with dietary butanediol plus injected phlorizin, and fasting. Fasting caused hypoinsulinemia and decreased liver glycogen by 60%. Butanediol plus phlorizin and fasting caused 18 and 19% decreases of plasma glucose and 2.5- and 6-fold increases of free fatty acid concentrations in blood plasma. Glucose irreversible loss averaged 371, 541, and 182 g/day during control, butanediol plus phlorizin treatment, and fasting. Butanediol plus phlorizin increased liver ketone body concentrations, caused glucosuria, ketonuria, and ketonemia, but did not affect insulin, glucagon, or growth hormone concentrations in plasma or triglyceride and glycogen contents in liver. Steers given butanediol plus phlorizin did not show all the usual signs of lactation ketosis, but the treatment still offers promise for studying causes and effects of ketosis.

In vitro hepatic gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis as affected by prolonged ketonemia-glucosuria and fasting in steers

Both 1,3-butanediol, which causes ketonemia, and phlorizin, which causes glucosuria, were given to four steers for 28 days to determine effects of prolonged ketonemia and glucosuria on in vitro hepatic gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis. Treatments were: control ration; control with butanediol plus phlorizin; and fasting for 9 days. Liver slices, obtained by biopsy, were incubated with carbon-14 substrates. Substrate converted to glucose [mumol/(h X g liver)] during control, butanediol plus phlorizin, and fasting averaged 2.34, 7.21, and 12.00 for propionate; .99, 3.80, and 12.26 for lactate; .30, .76, and 2.20 for alanine; and 2.06, 5.37, and 5.78 for glycerol. Omission of calcium++ eliminated increases of gluconeogenesis caused by butanediol plus phlorizin and by fasting. Ketone bodies, octanoate, and bovine serum albumin did not affect glucose production markedly. Stearate inhibited gluconeogenesis during all periods except fasting. Production of beta-hydroxybutyrate [mumol/(h X g liver)] during control, butanediol plus phlorizin, and fasting averaged 2.07, 4.27, and 3.25 from butyrate and .06, .27, and .02 from palmitate. Results demonstrate that the gluconeogenic capacity of bovine liver is responsive to physiological and nutritional status.

Thiamin and niacin in the rumen

Thiamin analogs, produced in the rumen by thiaminase I, in the presence of a cosubstrate appear to be responsible for the central nervous system disorder, polioencephalomalacia (PEM). For PEM to occur, an analog must be produced that inhibits an essential thiamin-requiring reaction, and results from a cosubstrate present in the rumen. In high concentrate diets, thiaminase I is produced by rumen microbes. However, PEM can also be caused by thiaminase I of plant origin. Based on physical characteristics and cosubstrate specificity, the thiaminase I enzymes produced by Bacillus thiaminolyticus and Clostridium sporogenes appear to be different from the enzyme produced by the rumen. Because niacin and certain antihelmentics are thiaminase I cosubstrates, they should be used cautiously. Supplementary niacin increased microbial protein synthesis in vitro and in vivo, and was more effective with urea than soybean meal. Supplementary niacin (5 to 6 g X cow-1 X d-1) increased milk production in postpartum cows but not in those in mid-lactation, and in cows fed soybean meal but not in those fed urea. We believe the heating of soybean meal during commercial processing decreased the availability of niacin for rumen protozoa. Supplementary niacin for postpartum cows increased blood glucose, decreased blood ketones and reduced the incidence of ketosis. Niacin flow to the small intestine and its absorption from the small intestine increased with niacin supplementation. Supplemental niacin prevented the postpartum decrease in red blood cell niacin observed in control cows.

Factors responsible for post parturient metritis in dairy cattle

Factors associated with retained placenta and post parturient metritis in Israeli-Friesian dairy cattle are examined. The overall incidence rate, in a total of 2017 calvings on seven farms, was 16.1 per cent for retained placenta and 37.3 per cent for primary metritis. Risk factors associated with retained placenta include rising parity, short gestations, induction of parturition, multiple births, summer calvings, left displacement of the abomasum and ketosis. Risk factors associated with metritis include declining parity, long gestations, induction of parturition, stillbirth, multiple births, low milk yield before drying off, left displacement of the abomasum, ketosis and winter calvings. A proposed aetiology of metritis is presented and the various possible factors involved are discussed.

Fetal hepatic and neural substrate utilization as affected by induced nutritional ketosis in swine

Systemic ketosis was induced in first-parity gilts by the isocaloric substitution of glucose with 1,3-butylene glycol to supply 20% of the total dietary energy beginning on d 23 (23 BG) or d 60 (60 BG) of gestation. Ketosis reduced (P less than .05) maternal plasma glucose, urea N and insulin concentrations. Fetal carcass dry matter and carcass glycogen contents were reduced (P less than .05) by maternal ketogenic calorie substitution, whereas fetal hepatic glycogen and lipid contents were not influenced by maternal treatment. Neural acetate oxidation was reduced (P less than .05) in the 23 BG and 60 BG fetuses, with a concurrent increase (P less than .05) in beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) oxidation. Neural lipogenesis measured from acetate and BOHB substrates was nominal in the d 105 pig fetus. Fetal hepatic acetate and BOHB utilization for lipogenesis were increased (P less than .05) by maternal ketosis. Reproductive performance characteristics (litter size, number stillborn and birth weight) were not improved by maternal ketosis. The substantial improvement in lactation weight gain by litters from 23 BG and 60 BG dams (20%, P less than .05) may suggest a carryover effect of gestation dietary treatment on lactation performance.

Effect of propionic acid on ketogenesis in lactating sheep fed restricted rations or deprived of food

Propionic acid was used as a possible preventive agent against ketogenesis. A total of 12 Suffolk lactating sheep were allocated to groups of 4 and fed isocaloric isonitrogenous rations containing 0, 5 and 10% propionic acid for 2 wk at 1.25 kg twice daily, followed by 4 days of food restriction to .5 kg/day and 2 days of food deprivation to induce ketogenesis. During the restricted feeding, concentrations of glucose in blood plasma were higher (50 to 57 versus 41 to 53 mg/dl) and concentrations of D (--)-3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate lower (3.0 to 5.9 versus 3.9 to 7.6 mg/dl; .39 to .83 versus .43 to .92 mg/dl) in animals fed propionic acid. Propionic acid did not change free fatty acid concentrations of blood plasma or milk and subcutaneous fatty acid composition. Restricted feeding and fasting markedly lowered glucose and elevated concentrations of ketone bodies and free fatty acids in plasma. Furthermore, during these periods proportions of milk fatty acids containing 4 to 14 carbon atoms were decreased and those of stearic and oleic acid (18:0 and 18:1) were increased (16.6 versus 6.5%; and 41.0 versus 17.4%).

[Clinico-experimental and clinical studies of a ketomethine preparation in sheep and cows]

Some of the clinical parameters of the preparation ketomethyne, containing propylene glycol, methyonine, and Co bichloride, were comparatively studied with the analogous preparation ursoketin at oral application to sheep and cows. It was found that ketomethyne raised more slowly the level of blood sugar than ursoketin, but maintained it by 24-35 per cent higher than the initial level from the 6th to the 24th hour following treatment. The oral application of ketomethyne had no unfavourable effect on the rumen activity, the general clinical indices body temperature, pulse, respiration), the hematologic indices as hemoglobin and erythrocyte and leukocyte count, and the appetite. Similarly to ursoketin, ketomethyne was not readily taken by animals as judged by what was noted with ruminants in cases where the preparation was given as a supplement to the ordinary amounts of feed (concentrates). It was more successfully offered to the large ruminants when 5 to 8 kg silage and the preparation at the rate of 400-500 cm3 were admixed. With cows having paraclinical signs of ûetosis (hypoglycemia and ketonuria) the oral administration of ketomethyne at 500 cm3 in the course of four consecutive days produced favourable effects (up to 100 per cent). On such basis, therefore, the use of the preparation is worthwhile in the prevention of ketosis in sheep and cows or in their treatment.

Subclinical ketosis: prevalence and associations with production and disease

Cows in 32 southern Ontario Holstein herds were monitored for subclinical ketosis for a period of two and one half years. Milk samples were routinely collected and the level of milk ketone bodies determined by the use of a commercial nitroprusside based test powder (reactions scored as negative, +1 or +2). Approximately 92% of positive reactions were observed in the first 65 days of lactation and for that time period the prevalence of ketosis was 12.1%. Based on this prevalence, the minimum possible duration of subclinical ketosis would be 7.9 days and the minimum possible lactational incidence rate would be 12.1%. The prevalence during the first 65 days of lactation in individual herds ranged from 0 to 33.9%. Subclinical ketosis was more likely to be found in cows experiencing metritis than in unaffected cows. Detection of elevated levels of milk ketones also indicated that the cow had a significantly higher risk of having clinical ketosis, metritis or cystic ovaries diagnosed within the following four days. Milk ketone scores of +1 and +2 were found to be associated with a reduction in daily milk production of 1.0 and 1.4 kg of milk respectively.

Treatment of bovine ketosis with invert sugar, glucocorticoids, and propylene glycol

Four different treatments of bovine ketosis, using 3 different pharmaceutical preparations, were monitored. The main antiketogenic and glucogenic ingredients of the preparations were as follows: invert sugar (Metabol), prednisolone and dexamethasone (Predasen), the former preparations combined (Metabol & Predasen) and propylene glycol and dexamethasone (Dexaprol). Blood samples were drained from the ketotic cows prior to the treatment. The animals were sampled again 2 and 7 days after the first sampling. The whole blood concentrations of acetoacetate (AA concn), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB concn) and glucose (glue concn) were determined. The measures of the antiketogenic and glucogenic efficacy of the various treatments applied were their ability to reduce the AA concn and BHB concn and to elevate the gluc concn.

Invert sugar (Metabol) alone had no antiketogenic efficacy, although in some cases it led to a subjective clinical improvement as reported by the owners of the animals. Invert sugar and glucocorticoids (Metabol & Predasen) dexamethasone and prednisolone (Predasen) and dexamethason plus propylene glycol (Dexaprol) were equally effective in bringing the AA, BHB and glue concns to normal range. The mean glue concn of the cows treated with Dexaprol was higher than that of the cows in the other treatment groups at 2 days (P < 0.01). No other differences between the 3 antiketogenic treatments could be shown.

The effect of two glucocorticoids on plasma glucose and milk production in healthy cows and the therapeutic effect in ketosis

In a cross-over study of six clinically healthy cows in early lactation, injection of 10 mg dexamethasone isonicotinate caused significantly increased plasma glucose for six days and significantly decreased milk yield for one day. The corresponding effects of 10 mg dexamethasone phosphate + 20 mg dexamethasone phenylpropionate lasted for at least nine and seven days, respectively. The therapeutic effect in bovine ketosis of the two preparations was measured by means of analysis of acetone plus acetoacetate in milk sampled daily during eight days post treatment. Acetone plus acetoacetate in milk from cows given dexamethasone phosphate + dexamethasone phenylpropionate (n = 11) decreased to normal levels and from the fourth day after treatment was significantly lower than in cows given dexamethasone isonicotinate (n = 12).