title: Characterization of metabolic changes during a protocol for inducing lactation ketosis in dairy cows.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D000090:Acetoacetates / Q000378:metabolism; D000138:Acidosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002951:Citrates / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007662:Ketosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007774:Lactation; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008112:Liver Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000090:Acetoacetates; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002951:Citrates; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D007328:Insulin; D008112:Liver Glycogen; D014280:Triglycerides