Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the values and changes in conventional and optimised clotting tests, as well as in selected biochemical analytes during hepatic lipidosis in postpartum dairy cows. Ten healthy and ten Holstein cows with hepatic lipidosis were selected based upon clinical history, clinical examination, liver biopsy, flotation test and histological analysis of hepatic tissue. Prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) were determined in non-diluted and diluted blood plasma samples. Clotting times determined in diluted plasma samples were prolonged in cows with hepatic lipidosis and there was a difference in the PT value at both 50% and 25% plasma dilutions between both groups of animals (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001). Significant differences between healthy animals and cows with hepatic lipidosis were observed in blood serum values for free fatty acids (FFA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triacyglycerols (P = 0.001, P = 0.007 and P = 0.044), respectively. FFA and liver biopsy are better diagnostic indicators for hepatic lipidosis than coagulation tests. The optimised PT is prolonged in cows with hepatic lipidosis and can detect this alteration that cannot be appreciated using conventional PT test.
Highlights
Haematology, serum biochemistry, fatty liver, cow Numerous tests are available for the evaluation of coagulation
Clotting times determined in diluted plasma samples were prolonged in cows with hepatic lipidosis and there was a difference in the Prothrombin time (PT) value at both 50% and 25% plasma dilutions between both groups of animals (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001)
High yield dairy cows frequently encounter situations of negative energy balance during the first postpartum weeks (Herdt 1988, 2000). This favours the removal of lipids from fatty tissue, which later tends to accumulate in hepatocytes through various mechanisms, producing hepatic lipidosis (Gaal et al 1983; Herdt 2000; Pechová et al 2002; Bobe et al 2004)
Summary
Haematology, serum biochemistry, fatty liver, cow Numerous tests are available for the evaluation of coagulation. High yield dairy cows frequently encounter situations of negative energy balance during the first postpartum weeks (Herdt 1988, 2000) This favours the removal of lipids from fatty tissue, which later tends to accumulate in hepatocytes through various mechanisms, producing hepatic lipidosis (Gaal et al 1983; Herdt 2000; Pechová et al 2002; Bobe et al 2004). This is the most common cause of liver failure in high yield dairy cows The aim of this study was to determine the values and changes in conventional and optimised clotting tests, as well as those of selected biochemical analytes during hepatic lipidosis in postpartum dairy cows
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