Ketosis

Question 1

What molecule is pulled from adipose tissue when a cow is in a negative energy balance state?

Answer 1

(NEFAs → non-esterified fatty acids)

Question 2

What are NEFAs converted to in the liver that are useful for the body?

Answer 2

(Ketones → provides fuel to muscles and eventually the brain if the NEB is bad enough)

Question 3

What is the purpose of the liver forming ketones from NEFAs when a cow is in a negative energy balance state?

Answer 3

(To spare limited glucose for cells that only utilize glucose → fetus, mammary glands, inflammatory cells and follicles questionable, and tumors)

Question 4

What is the net result of the altered adipose and insulin sensitivity that has been bred into today’s cows?

Answer 4

(An excessive release of NEFAs when faced with an NEB state)

Question 5

What are the three ketone bodies, which provide 10%+ of daily energy in a normal cow?

Answer 5

(Acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone)

Question 6

What is ketosis?

Answer 6

(Metabolic disorder that occurs in cattle when ketone production exceeds ketone utilization by the cow)

Question 7

What are the clinical signs of ketosis in cows?

Answer 7

(Dullness, lack of appetite, hard feces, dull hair coat, decrease in milk production, and signs of nervous ketosis (other question))

Question 8

What are the clinical signs of nervous ketosis in cows?

Answer 8

(Ataxic, hyperaesthetic, aggressive, wandering, heading pressing)

Question 9

Spontaneous or primary ketosis is associated with a high producing cow and what range of DIM?

Answer 9

(3-6 weeks so 21-42 DIM)

Question 10

What are some causes for secondary ketosis in the first month of lactation? 5 answers.

Answer 10

(Retained placenta, metritis, mastitis, hypocalcemia, DA)

Question 11

(T/F) All cows have elevated ketones during the periparturient period.

Answer 11

(T, its when concentrations exceed a limit (there is disagreement on that limit) that she becomes ketotic)

Question 12

(T/F) The blood ketone concentration will be higher if you sample the mammary vein versus the jugular.

Answer 12

(T)

Question 13

Ketones are highest/lowest (choose) right before a cow’s next meal.

Answer 13

(Highest)

Question 14

Ketone concentration will be higher/lower (choose) in urine compared to blood/milk.

Answer 14

(Higher in urine)

Question 15

What is the most recommended treatment and treatment protocol for ketosis in cows based on current literature?

Answer 15

(Propylene glycol, 300mls once daily for 3-5 days, do not repeat because it may decrease appetite)

Question 16

In what cases would you add 500mls of 50% glucose to your treatment place for a ketotic cow in addition to propylene glycol?

Answer 16

(Nervous ketosis cases)

Question 17

What causes the immune suppression associated with parturition in cows and which causes metritis, mastitis, and pneumonia to be more severe in fresh cows when compared to mid-lactation cows? 3 answers.

Answer 17

(Cortisol surge at calving (inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines), ketone bodies (generally considered immunosuppressive), and colostrum (transferring dam IgG into colostrum, can’t defend the dam))