Abstract

SUMMARY The ketonic and non-ketonic neutral steroids in the urine of normal lactating cows and cows suffering from either primary spontaneous ketosis or an experimentally induced ketosis were studied by gas-chromatographic methods. The chromatographic patterns on QF-1 and SE-30 were similar in all cases. Neither were any significant quantitative differences observed. The 14 steroid metabolites identified in the urine of the normal lactating and ketotic cows had all been found previously in the urine of pregnant cows. However, the combined concentrations in the urine of androsterone, aetiocholanolone and epiandrosterone in both normal (20–130 μg./l.; mean 43±21·8 μg./l.) and ketotic cows (52–84 μg./l.; mean 66 ± 6·1 μg./l.) were lower than the previously reported levels for cows in late pregnancy (600 μg./l.). The results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that bovine ketosis is associated with an impaired pituitary function.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.