Serum antioxidant capacity of dairy cows with subclinical ketosis

Increased serum malondialdehyde concentration in cows with subclinical ketosis

The purpose of this study is to compare the assessment of pre- and postpartum oxidative stress-related causal indicators and other metabolites in cows with postpartum subclinical ketosis (SCK). The prepartum serum malondialdehyde concentration and body condition score (BCS) were elevated in the SCK cows (n=17) compared to healthy controls (n=12), while the insulin sensitivity check index was lower in the SCK cows than in the controls. Oxidative stress is enhanced in cows with prepartum higher BCS, causing decreased insulin sensitivity, and may be associated with onset of postpartum SCK. However, paraoxonase alone might be insufficient to assess the antioxidant state because of no difference in pre- and postpartum activities between the two groups.

Concentrations of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and iron in the serum of dairy cows with subclinical ketosis

Serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and iron were measured in dairy cows with subclinical ketosis. Compared with healthy cows, the subclinically ketotic cows had significantly higher levels of non-esterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutirate in serum and significantly lower levels of blood glucose (p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed, suggesting that the mineral elements measured are not involved in the pathogenesis of subclinical ketosis.