Insulin resistance and abomasal motility disorders in cows detected by use of abomasoduodenal electromyography after surgical correction of left displaced abomasum.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the correlation between insulin concentrations and myoelectrical activity of the abomasum in cows with a left displaced abomasum (LDA).


METHODS
14 dairy cows with an LDA at the onset of lactation.


METHODS
During surgical correction of an LDA, 3 pairs of electrodes were placed in the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract (abomasal body, pars pylorica, and duodenum) of each cow. Electromyographic recordings were obtained once per day for 7 days. Samples were collected and tested to determine concentrations of insulin, glucagon, cortisol, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and nonesterified fatty acids.


RESULTS
All 14 cattle had high glucose and insulin concentrations at the time of admission, independent of ketosis. Concentrations of glucose and insulin decreased slowly after surgical treatment and were associated with a progressive increase in abomasoduodenal myoelectric activity. The 14 cows were allocated into 2 groups (suspected insulin-resistant cattle, n = 7; suspected non-insulin-resistant cattle, 7) on the basis of persistent hyperinsulinemia during the postoperative period. Seven days after surgery, the abomasoduodenal myoelectric patterns were still significantly lower for the insulin-resistant cows, compared with patterns for the non-insulin-resistant cows.


CONCLUSIONS
Insulin resistance appears to be common in cows with an LDA. Analysis of results of this study reveals that abomasal atony in cows with an LDA depends on persistence of high serum concentrations of insulin. Results of this study could provide an explanation for a pathogenetic factor of LDAs and the frequent relapses of cattle affected by this condition.
Pravettoni
Davide
D
Klinik für Wiederkäuer und Schweine, Justus Liebig Universität, Giessen, Germany.
Doll
Klaus
K
Hummel
Markus
M
Cavallone
Elena
E
Re
Michela
M
Belloli
Angelo G
AG
D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / Q000097:blood; D000018:Abomasum / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004576:Electromyography / Q000662:veterinary; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; D005934:Glucagon; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; D006854:Hydrocortisone