Use of bovine somatotropin at the time of surgery for left displacement of the abomasum in dairy cows. Minnesota Dairy Practitioners Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of a single dose of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) on certain metabolic values, health, and milk production of dairy cows undergoing surgery for left displacement of the abomasum.


METHODS
Blinded clinical trial.


METHODS
413 cows with left displacement of the abomasum.


METHODS
A single 500-mg dose of bST was administered to dairy cows following surgery in field practice conditions for left displacement of the abomasum. A placebo of the same carrier without bST was administered to control cows in this blinded study. Metabolic and production responses in a short-term follow-up period were measured.


RESULTS
Blood glucose concentrations in cows 3 to 5 days after surgery were statistically higher for treated cows than for control cows. A higher proportion of treated cows had improved urine ketone test results than did controls. Significant differences in other metabolic values, health, and milk production were not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of metabolically compromised cows with bST may have some positive effects, but further investigation is needed to confirm therapeutic value.
Department of Clinical and Population Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul 55082, USA.
J P
JP
Fetrow
J W
JW
Pankowski
J L
JL
Vicini
T R
TR
Ames
D000018:Abomasum / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007657:Ketone Bodies / Q000652:urine; D007662:Ketosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007657:Ketone Bodies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013006:Growth Hormone