Dynamics of cholesterol fractions in cows during the transit period

Abstract

This article describes the results of a study of cholesterol metabolism in cows during the transit period. Cows were selected with optimal and increased body fatness during the dry period three weeks before calving. Blood samples were taken twice before calving and twice after calving at regular intervals. In the blood serum, the concentration of cholesterol and its fractions - low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein - was studied, as well as the concentration of β-hydroxybutyric acid on the fifth day after calving. Studies have shown unidirectional dynamics of cholesterol and its fractions during the observation period. Initially, a decrease in all indicators was determined, the minimum values were found during the first week after calving. By the end of the experiment, all cholesterol fractions increased. It was found that in cows with increased body condition during the dry period, the level of LDL cholesterol in the post-calving period was significantly lower by 19.0-25.4% than in cows with optimal body condition. It was also found that in well-fed cows ketogenesis is more active 5 days after calving. Thus, in cows with increased and optimal fatness, the concentration of β- hydroxybutyric acid was 1.63 ± 0.18 and 1.23 ± 0.11 mmol / l, respectively, which may indicate the presence of subclinical ketosis in obese cows.