A fat mobilisation syndrome in dairy cows in early lactation
Roberts, C.J.; Reid, I.M.; Rowlands, G.J.; Patterson, A.
Veterinary Record 108(1): 7-9
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7233778 Document Number: 179943
High yielding dairy cows undergo a period of energy deficit in early lactation and mobilise body reserves for milk production. In this period a high proportion of cows develop moderate or severe fatty liver. Fat is deposited in other tissues at the same time, particularly skeletal muscle. The relationship between measurements of fat mobilisation and fat deposition in liver and muscle has been investigated in a group of 19 cows in the period after calving. Cows with higher levels of indices of fat mobilisation, namely plasma free fatty acid and D(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations and subcutaneous adipose tissue loss, had higher indices of fat deposition in liver and skeletal muscle. Statistical analysis indicated that fatty liver was part of a more general fat mobilisation syndrome which was not specific to any one organ or tissue.