Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

Diagnostic tests for fatty hepatosis in high-yielding cows

Andrii Oshurko, Serhii Holopura
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Abstract

The research relevance is determined by problems in the dairy farming sector related to the development of diseases in high-yielding cows during the transition period. Early diagnosis of metabolic disorders during the transition period is necessary for the timely prevention of complications and the development of irreversible changes in the body of cows and the subsequent culling of animals from the herd. The study aimed to confirm the development of fatty hepatosis in dairy cows during the transition period, identify its possible causes, and determine effective measures for the prevention of this disease and its consequences. For this purpose, clinical diagnostic methods and biochemical studies of cow blood serum were used as early markers of metabolic changes in the animals’ bodies. The study determined that clinical signs of pathology are manifested in only 12-20% of cows from each physiological group. Changes in the biochemical parameters of cows’ blood serum depending on the physiological period had unique characteristics. During the study, changes were found in such blood serum parameters as total protein, albumin, globulin, protein coefficient, urea, urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase activity, glucose, total calcium, inorganic phosphorus, calcium-phosphorus ratio, carotene, lipoproteins, thymol test, non-esterified fatty acids, and vitamin E. The study established that for timely detection of metabolic disorders in cows, it is necessary to conduct regular medical examinations of the herd covering all physiological groups of animals, including blood tests, and, based on the results obtained, to apply correction methods in a timely manner. Identifying the causes of metabolic disorders and pathological changes in the liver and calcium-phosphorus metabolism in cows during different physiological periods will make it possible to select appropriate prevention methods and prevent economic losses from milk yield reduction and culling of cows in the conditions of a particular farm

Keywords

hepatolipidosis, hyperglobulinaemia, non-esterified fatty acids, lipid metabolism, triacylglycerols, hypoglycaemia

Suggested citation
Oshurko, A., & Holopura, S. (2026). Diagnostic tests for fatty hepatosis in high-yielding cows. Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 22(1),121-134. https://doi.org/10.31548/dopovidi/1.2026.121
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