title: Evaluation of the correlation between serum biochemical values and liver ultrasonographic indices in periparturient cows with different body condition scores.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine alterations of serum biochemical variables in relation to changes of near- and far-field mean grayscale histogram (MGSH) and attenuation rates in liver ultrasonograms of periparturient cows.
  
  
  METHODS
  67 Holstein cows.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cows were allocated on the basis of body condition score into underconditioned (n = 21), moderately conditioned (23), and overconditioned (23) groups. Serum samples (obtained every 10 days from 30 days before to 30 days after calving) were analyzed for aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyltransferase activities and BUN, albumin, calcium, and inorganic phosphorus concentrations along with digital estimation of near- and far-field MGSH values of liver ultrasonograms and deep attenuation. Values were compared among groups and within each group, and their correlations were determined in the pre- and postpartum periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum biochemical variables did not differ significantly among groups. Aspartate aminotransferase and γ-glutamyltransferase activities increased in the postpartum period. Fluctuations of alanine aminotransferase activity were not significant; BUN decreased significantly in the peripartum period. Albumin concentration decreased prior to parturition and remained low, but significantly increased after parturition. Calcium concentration decreased on day 10 but subsequently increased. Phosphorus concentration decreased stepwise until day 10 after calving. Postpartum biochemical variables had weak correlations with near- and far-field MGSH values in overconditioned cows. The highest levels of sound attenuation were found in overconditioned cows on calving day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liver ultrasonographic features were poorly correlated with changes of serum biochemical variables. This suggests that liver ultrasonography is not a good technique for estimating functional liver abnormalities in periparturient cows.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran 14155-6453. sam_rafia@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Saman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rafia
authors.forename: Taghi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taghipour-Bazargani
authors.forename: Farzad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Asadi
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vajhi
authors.forename: Saied
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bokaie
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D001824:Body Constitution / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D003124:Colorimetry; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D012709:Serum Albumin; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014463:Ultrasonography; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin; D010758:Phosphorus; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D002118:Calcium