Assessment of the excretion time of electronic capsules placed in the intestinal lumen of cows with cecal dilatation-dislocation, healthy control cows, and cows with left displacement of the abomasum.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the transit time from various locations in the intestines of cows with cecal dilatation-dislocation (CDD), healthy control cows, and cows with left displacement of the abomasum (LDA). ANIMALS: 15 cows with naturally occurring CDD (group 1), 14 healthy control cows (group 2), and 18 cows with LDA (group 3). PROCEDURES: 5 electronic transmitters were encased in capsules and placed in the lumen of the ileum, cecum, proximal portion of the colon, and 2 locations in the spiral colon (colon 1 and colon 2) and used to measure the transit time (ie, time between placement in the lumen and excretion of the capsules from the rectum). Excretion time of the capsules from each intestinal segment was compared among groups. RESULTS: Cows recovered well from surgery, except for 1 cow with relapse of CDD 4 days after surgery and 2 cows with incisional infection. High variability in capsule excretion times was observed for all examined intestinal segments in all groups. Significant differences were detected for the excretion time from the colon (greater in cows with CDD than in healthy control cows) and cecum (less in cows with LDA than in cows of the other 2 groups). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The technique developed to measure excretion time of capsules from bovine intestines was safe and reliable; however, the large variability observed for all intestinal segments and all groups would appear to be a limitation for its use in assessment of intestinal transit time of cattle in future studies.

Changes in leukocyte populations of cows with milk fever or displaced abomasum after calving.

Most of the metabolic diseases of dairy cows occur within the first 2 wk after calving, and cows with a metabolic disease are prone to infectious diseases. Although metabolic diseases are generally recognized as a risk factor for infectious diseases owing to the associated decrease in immune function, the difference in immune status between cows with milk fever (MF) or displaced abomasum (DA) during the lactation period has not been clarified. Therefore, the peripheral blood leukocyte populations in 38 multiparous Holstein cows from 1 herd were analyzed after calving. The cows were divided into 3 groups according to health: 21 cows that remained clinically healthy throughout the experimental period (control group), 9 cows that had MF on the day of calving, and 8 cows with an onset of DA within 4 wk after calving. The T- and B-cell numbers were lowest at week 0, and they increased gradually after calving. There was no significant difference between the 3 groups in the number of each subset of leukocytes on the day of calving, but the number of CD8⁺ T-cells was significantly lower in the MF and DA groups than in the control group at week 1. The numbers of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, and WC1⁺ T-cells tended to be lower in the DA group than in control group from weeks 4 to 12, a tendency not observed in the MF group. These data suggest that when cows have DA around the time of calving, their lymphocyte numbers remain lower until 12 wk after calving.

La plupart des maladies métaboliques des vaches laitières se produisent à l'intérieur des 2 premières semaines après le vêlage, et les vaches avec une maladie métabolique sont sujettes aux maladies infectieuses. Bien que les maladies métaboliques soient généralement reconnues comme un facteur de risque pour les maladies infectieuses à cause de la diminution de la fonction immunitaire qui y est associée, la différence dans le statut immunitaire entre des vaches avec une fièvre du lait (MF) ou un déplacement de caillette (DA) durant la période de lactation n'a pas été clarifiée. Ainsi, les populations des leucocytes du sang périphérique de 38 vaches Holstein multipares provenant de un troupeau ont été analysées après le vêlage. Les vaches ont été divisées en trois groupes selon leur état de santé : 21 vaches qui sont demeurées cliniquement saines durant toute la durée de la période expérimentale (groupe témoin), 9 vaches qui ont eu une MF le jour du vêlage, et 8 vaches avec un début de DA dans les 4 sem après le vêlage. Le nombre de cellules T et B étaient à son plus bas la semaine 0, et il a augmenté graduellement après le vêlage. Il n'y avait pas de différence significative entre les trois groupes dans le nombre de chaque sous-groupe de leucocytes le jour du vêlage, mais le nombre de cellules T CD8+ était significativement plus faible dans les groupes MF et DA que dans le groupe témoin à la semaine 1. Le nombre de cellules T CD4+, CD8+ et WC1+ avaient tendance à être plus faible dans le groupe DA que dans le groupe témoin à partir de la semaine 4 jusqu'à la semaine 12, une tendance non observée dans le groupe MF. Ces données suggèrent que lorsque les vaches ont un DA durant la période du vêlage, leurs dénombrements lymphocytaires demeurent faibles jusqu'à 12 sem après la mise-bas.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Depleted serum vitamin E concentrations precede left displaced abomasum in early-lactation dairy cows.

Cows with left displaced abomasum (LDA), a costly disease occurring primarily in multiparous dairy cows during early lactation, have been reported to have 40% lower circulating concentrations of vitamin E. It is unknown, however, whether the lower circulating α-tocopherol concentrations precede LDA or remain after LDA. Using a nested case-control design, blood samples taken at d -21, -14, -7, -3, -1, 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 postpartum from 7 multiparous Holstein cows diagnosed with LDA between d 6 and 32 postpartum and 10 healthy Holstein cows from the same herd were analyzed for serum concentrations of α-tocopherol and indicators of energy and nutrient status and inflammation. In addition to indicators of negative energy balance and inflammation, lower serum α-tocopherol concentrations preceded LDA and persisted after LDA correction. At the last blood sampling before LDA diagnosis, cows had serum α-tocopherol concentrations 45% lower (5.0 ± 0.9 vs. 9.1 ± 0.9 µM) and α-tocopherol to cholesterol molar ratios 39% lower (1.90 ± 0.19 vs. 3.09 ± 0.26) than those of healthy cows. Serum α-tocopherol concentrations remained lower (<10 vs. ~15 µM) up to d 49 postpartum in cows that had LDA. These findings indicate that lower serum α-tocopherol concentrations are a potential early indicator for the development of LDA in multiparous cows.

Surto de compactação primária de abomaso em bovinos leiteiros associado ao consumo de silagem de girassol / Outbreak of primary abomasal impaction in dairy cattle associated with consumption of sunflower silage

Um surto de compactação primária de abomaso associada ao consumo de silagem de girassol ocorreu num rebanho bovino leiteiro do estado de Minas Gerais, do qual seis de 21 vacas secas em fase final de gestação e que recebiam silagem de girassol morreram. Os bovinos que adoeceram apresentaram distensão abdominal, fezes ressecadas e escassas e, nos bovinos que morreram, eram pastosas, escuras e fétidas; nesses havia também desidratação acentuada e palidez de mucosas. Três bovinos foram necropsiados e os achados patológicos eram constituídos principalmente por distensão acentuada do abomaso associada a grande quantidade de conteúdo alimentar ressecado coberto por coágulos de sangue. No abomaso havia úlceras, com perfuração da parede em um dos bovinos. A alimentação de bovinos de maior exigência nutricional com silagem de girassol de características indesejáveis como única fonte de volumoso foi o principal fator para a compactação de abomaso nos casos apresentados.

An outbreak of primary abomasal impaction associated with consumption of sunflower silage occurred in a dairy cattle herd from the state of Minas Gerais. Six of 21 dry cows in late pregnancy fed with sunflower silage died. Cattle that became ill presented abdominal distension and scant and dried feces. In the animals that died, severe dehydration, pale mucous membranes, dark, sticky and stinking feces were seen. Three cows were necropsied and the main pathological findings consisted of severe abomasal distension associated with a large quantity of dried alimentary content covered by bloody clots. Ulcers were found in abomasum, with perforation in one cow. Feeding cattle with high nutritional needs, with sunflower silage of undesirable characteristics as unique source of roughage was the main cause for the abomasal impaction.

Potassium and insulin affect the contractility of abomasal smooth muscle.

Abomasal displacement is a frequent and important disease of high yielding dairy cows. Although several factors are related to its occurrence, the pathogenesis of the condition is still inadequately understood, particularly in regard to K(+) and insulin homeostasis. For this reason the aim was to investigate the effects of K(+) and insulin concentrations on in vitro motility of abomasal smooth muscle. The second aim was to determine whether the in vivo change in K(+) and insulin levels might be sufficient to induce reduced abomasal motility. Muscle strips were isolated from the abomasum of slaughtered cows and incubated in buffer solution under isometric conditions. Results show that a decrease in extracellular K(+) (between 5 and 1 mmol/L) or an increase in extracellular insulin concentrations (to 21 mU/L or higher) were able to affect the contraction activity of abomasal muscles. Contraction activity given as median (25th, 75th percentiles) changed from 28.1 mN/min (2.5, 49.9) at 5 mmol/L of K(+) to 9.4 mN/min (0.6, 35.7) at 1 mmol/L of K(+), and from 34.5 mN/min (10.8, 112.4) at 0 mU/L of insulin to 12.0 mN/min (7.6, 49.8) at 120 mU/L of insulin. Because the effect of insulin could be abolished by barium, glybenclamide, or ouabain, the underlying mechanisms of the insulin action could be an increased K(+) conductance or an increased Na/K-ATPase activity or both. Low K(+) or high insulin concentrations both reduced the activity of the circular muscle of the abomasal corpus (i.e., of the part that is responsible for the propulsion of abomasal chymus) and might play an important role in the pathogenesis of abomasal displacement.

Glucose tolerance test during abomaso-duodenal electromyography in three cows operated for left displaced abomasum.

The objective of the study was to analyze glucose metabolism and abomasal myoelectrical activity during an intravenous glucose tolerance test in cows operated for LDA. Three dairy cows, at the onset of lactation, suffering from left displaced abomasum were selected from the animals presented at the clinic. During surgical therapy, one pair of electrodes was placed in the smooth muscle of the abomasal body, the pars pylorica and the duodenum respectively. The animals were subjected to electromyography on five occasions during hospital admittance (Days 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 post-operative); their insulin, glucagon, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate and NEFA levels were then measured. Two days after surgery, the animals were subjected to an intravenous glucose load (300 g glucose in 30 min) during abomaso-duodenal electromyography. The findings indicate that the three animals had glucose metabolism disorders during hospitalization. The abomaso-duodenal myoelectric activity of Cows 1 and 3 was lower than in Cow 2. During the glucose load, the analysis of hormones and metabolites showed that there were different degrees of reactivity and that myoelectric activity differed in the 3 cows. The results of the study suggest that despite the surgical reposition of the abomasum, disorders of abomasal motility persist in different degrees in cows operated for LDA and could be influenced by glucose administrations.

Efficacy of moxibustion after rolling correction in dairy cows with abomasal displacement.

This study was performed to assess the efficacy of moxibustion after rolling correction in dairy cows with abomasal displacement (AD). The experimental group comprised 86 Holstein cows with left displacement of the abomasum (LDA) and right displacement of the abomasum (RDA), with a mean age of 3.8 with AD during a 2-year period. The cows were rolled for correction of AD. After the rolling procedure, moxibustion was conducted on six acupoints once a day during the course of treatment. After repositioning the abomasums, the bilateral points of BL-20, BL-21 and BL-26 were then stimulated. During the follow-up of 1 week, 67 (93.1%) of 72 LDA and 12 (85.7%) of 14 RDA cows were released as cured after moxibustion. In conclusion, moxibustion effectively treats AD following rolling correction in dairy cows.

Phosphorus homeostasis in dairy cows with abomasal displacement or abomasal volvulus.

Abnormal phosphorus homeostasis occurs in dairy cows with an abomasal displacement or volvulus. The goal of this study was to identify potential mechanisms for hypophosphatemia and hyperphosphatemia in cows with a left displaced abomasum (LDA), right displaced abomasum (RDA), or abomasal volvulus (AV). Accordingly, the results of preoperative clinicopathologic analyses for 1,368 dairy cows with an LDA (n = 1,189), RDA, or AV (n = 179) (data set 1) and for 44 cows with an AV (data set 2) were retrieved. Laboratory values were compared by Student's t-tests, and correlation and regression analyses were performed. Thirty-four percent of the animals from data set 1 (463/1,368) were hypophosphatemic (serum phosphorus concentration ([Pi]) < 1.4 mmol/L), and 9% (122/1,368) were hyperphosphatemic ([Pi] >2.3 mmol/L). Serum [Pi] was significantly lower (P < .05) in cows with an LDA (1.60 +/- 0.53 mmol/L; mean +/- SD) than in cows with an RDA or AV (1.85 +/- 0.68 mmol/L). For cows with an LDA, [Pi] was correlated with serum urea nitrogen concentration ([SUN]) (r = 0.34) and serum concentration of magnesium ([Mg]) (r = 0.20). For cows with an RDA or AV, linear correlations existed between [Pi] and [SUN] (r = 0.45), [Mg] (r = 0.43), and serum chloride concentration ([Cl]) (r = -0.27). Stepwise logistic regression analysis indicated that low [SUN] and the diagnosis of an LDA had the strongest associations with hypophosphatemia. In cows with hyperphosphatemia, [Pi] was most strongly associated with azotemia. In cows with an AV, the strongest correlations with [Pi] were found for [SUN] and serum creatinine. We conclude that hypophosphatemia in cows with an LDA is primarily due to decreased feed intake. In contrast, hyperphosphatemia in cattle with an RDA or AV appears to result from dehydration and decreased renal blood flow.

Effect of age and abomasal puncture on peritoneal fluid, hematology, and serum biochemical analyses in young calves.

The goals of this study were to evaluate techniques for collection of peritoneal fluid from calves, establish reference ranges for fibrinogen in peritoneal fluid during the 1st month of life, and determine if abomasal puncture would alter peritoneal fluid or hematologic variables. Twenty-two healthy Holstein calves underwent 3 peritoneal fluid collections on day 1, day 15, and day 30 of age. Fibrinogen concentration in peritoneal fluid was 0.20 g/dL and 0.10 g/dL (P < .05) for day 1 and day 30, respectively, and 0.10 at day 15 (P > .05) for calves without abomasal puncture. Plasma fibrinogen concentration was 0.60 g/dL and 0.70 g/ dL (P < .05) for days 15 and 30, respectively, in calves without abomasal puncture. There were no significant differences (P < or = .05) in peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood total protein and fibrinogen concentrations, specific gravity, total and differential cell count, or erythrocyte counts between calves with or without abomasal puncture. We concluded that the reference ranges established for fibrinogen and total protein concentration are important for accurate evaluation of peritoneal fluid in calves for further comparison with similar-aged animals with gastrointestinal-tract or abdominal-cavity disease. Additionally, accidental abomasal puncture does not alter values of fibrinogen, total protein, and nucleated cell count in peritoneal fluid and does not cause apparent clinical abnormalities.

Use of the D-xylose absorption test to measure abomasal emptying rate in healthy lactating Holstein-Friesian cows and in cows with left displaced abomasum or abomasal volvulus.

We determined the abomasal emptying rates of Holstein-Friesian cows at different stages of lactation, with left displaced abomasum (LDA), or immediately after surgical correction of LDA or abomasal volvulus (AV). D-xylose (0.5 g/kg body weight [BW], 50% solution) was injected into the abomasum in healthy cows (group 1, 4-7 days in milk [DIM], n = 7; group 2, 90-120 DIM, n = 7; group 3, > 300 DIM, n = 7) and in cows with LDA (n = 10; group 4). D-xylose was injected into the abomasum during right flank laparotomy in cows with LDA (n = 22; group 5) and cows with AV (n = 15; group 6). The time to maximal serum D-xylose concentration was used as an index of emptying rate. The abomasal emptying rates for cows in groups 1, 2, and 3 were similar, whereas emptying was slower in cows with LDA and in cows after surgical correction of LDA or AV. The abomasal emptying rate of cows with LDA was slowed to a greater extent immediately after surgery, when compared to the rate obtained before surgery. There was no difference in abomasal emptying rate immediately after surgical correction between cows with LDA or AV. The results indicate that the increased incidence of LDA in the first month of lactation is not associated with an intrinsic decrease in abomasal emptying rate in healthy cows. Our findings also demonstrate that surgical correction further slows the emptying rate in cows with LDA.

Insulin resistance and abomasal motility disorders in cows detected by use of abomasoduodenal electromyography after surgical correction of left displaced abomasum.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between insulin concentrations and myoelectrical activity of the abomasum in cows with a left displaced abomasum (LDA). ANIMALS: 14 dairy cows with an LDA at the onset of lactation. PROCEDURE: During surgical correction of an LDA, 3 pairs of electrodes were placed in the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract (abomasal body, pars pylorica, and duodenum) of each cow. Electromyographic recordings were obtained once per day for 7 days. Samples were collected and tested to determine concentrations of insulin, glucagon, cortisol, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and nonesterified fatty acids. RESULTS: All 14 cattle had high glucose and insulin concentrations at the time of admission, independent of ketosis. Concentrations of glucose and insulin decreased slowly after surgical treatment and were associated with a progressive increase in abomasoduodenal myoelectric activity. The 14 cows were allocated into 2 groups (suspected insulin-resistant cattle, n = 7; suspected non-insulin-resistant cattle, 7) on the basis of persistent hyperinsulinemia during the postoperative period. Seven days after surgery, the abomasoduodenal myoelectric patterns were still significantly lower for the insulin-resistant cows, compared with patterns for the non-insulin-resistant cows. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Insulin resistance appears to be common in cows with an LDA. Analysis of results of this study reveals that abomasal atony in cows with an LDA depends on persistence of high serum concentrations of insulin. Results of this study could provide an explanation for a pathogenetic factor of LDAs and the frequent relapses of cattle affected by this condition.

Comparison of abomasal luminal gas pressure and volume and perfusion of the abomasum in dairy cows with left displaced abomasum or abomasal volvulus.

OBJECTIVE: To compare abomasal luminal gas pressure and volume and perfusion of the abomasum in dairy cows with a left displaced abomasum (LDA) or abomasal volvulus (AV). ANIMALS: 40 lactating dairy cows (25 with an LDA and 15 with an AV). PROCEDURE: Abomasal luminal gas pressure and volume and pulse oximetry values for the caudal portion of the dorsal ruminal sac and abomasal wall were measured during laparotomy. Abomasal perfusion was assessed on the basis of abomasal O2 saturation (pulse oximetry) before correction of the LDA or AV. Abomasal perfusion was also assessed after correction of the LDA or AV by measuring venous O2 saturation in the right gastroepiploic vein and calculating the abomasal oxygen-extraction ratio. RESULTS: Abomasal luminal gas pressure and volume were higher in cattle with an AV than in cattle with an LDA. Abomasal O2 saturation was lower and abomasal oxygen-extraction ratio higher in cattle with an AV, compared with values in cattle with an LDA. In cows with an AV, lactate concentration in the gastroepiploic vein was greater than that in a jugular vein, whereas no difference in lactate concentrations was detected in cows with an LDA. Abomasal luminal gas pressure was positively correlated (r, 0.51) with plasma lactate concentration in the gastroepiploic vein and negatively correlated (r, -0.32) with abomasal O2 saturation determined by use of pulse oximetry. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Abomasal perfusion decreases as luminal pressure increases in cattle with an AV or LDA.

Pathophysiology of abomasal parasitism: is the host or parasite responsible?

Nematode larvae developing within the glands cause local loss of parietal cells and mucous cell hyperplasia whereas reduced acid secretion, increased serum gastrin and pepsinogen concentrations and generalized histological changes are associated with parasites in the abomasal lumen. Parietal cells with dilated canaliculi and/or degenerative changes typical of necrosis are present soon after the transplantation of adult worms, and abomasal secretion is also affected. Anaerobic bacteria survive in greater numbers as the pH rises, with bacterial densities becoming similar to ruminal populations at an abomasal pH of 4 and above. Failure to lyse bacteria may affect adversely the nutrition of the host. The parasites may initiate the pathophysiology through the release of excretory/secretory (ES) products which either act directly on parietal cells or indirectly through enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells by provoking inflammation or by disrupting the protective mucosal defence system. Parietal cell dysfunction is proposed as a key event which leads to loss of mature chief cells and mucous cell hyperplasia, as well as hypergastrinaemia. Inflammation increases circulating pepsinogen concentrations and may also contribute to increased gastrin secretion. Stimulation of mucosal proliferation and differentiation of parietal cells in the isthmus by the raised serum gastrin levels will be beneficial by generating a new population of active parietal cells and adequate acid secretion.

Effect of disease on reproduction in the dairy cow: a meta-analysis.

Effects on reproduction of dystocia, stillbirth, abortion, milk fever, retained placenta, metritis, cystic ovaries, anestrus, ketosis, displaced abomasum, locomotor disorders, and mastitis were reviewed. Papers were considered if they provided quantitative estimates of diseases on days to first estrus, days to first service, conception rate at first service, days from first service to conception, days to conception or days open, calving interval, conception rates at various days post partum (dpp), and number of services per conception or per cow. Only papers in English in peer-reviewed journals were selected for analysis of post 1960 data from intensive dairy regions. Seventy papers fulfilled the selection criteria. Summary estimates of disease effects were calculated according to meta-analysis methods, and study designs were described in detail to identify possible heterogeneity of the results. Stillbirth, milk fever, displaced abomasum and mastitis had no effect on reproduction. Clinical ketosis, dystocia and retained placenta were associated with 2 to 3 more days to first service and with a 4 to 10% lower conception rate at first service, resulting in 6 to 12 more days to conception. Locomotor disorders were associated with an average increase of 12 d to conception, with wide variation depending on lesions and stage of occurrence. Metritis was associated with 7 more days to first service, 20% lower conception rate at first service, resulting in 19 more days to conception. Cystic ovaries were associated with 6 to 11 more days to first service and with 20 to 30 more days to conception. Anestrus was associated with 26 more days to first service and with an 18% lower conception rate at first service, resulting in 41 more days to conception. Abortion was associated with 70 to 80 more days to conception.

Histamine in lambs with abomasal bloat, haemorrhage and ulcers.

The median concentration of histamine in abomasal fluid of lambs with abomasal haemorrhage and/or ulcers (group 2) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the concentrations in lambs presenting abomasal bloat (group 1) and in the healthy and the diseased controls. In group 2, there was also a strong correlation (R2 = 0.81) between the histamine concentrations in abomasal tissue and abomasal fluid, although the median value of histamine in the abomasal tissue was not statistically higher in this group than in the others. The urine of lambs in group 2 also had numerically higher median concentration of histamine than the other groups. Five out of eight tested strains of Lactobacillus spp. and one out of two strains of Clostridium sordellii, isolated from abomasal contents of lambs with abomasal disease, were strong producers of histamine. Bacterial production is one possible source for the increased histamine concentrations in lambs suffering from abomasal haemorrhage and/or ulcers.

In vitro motility disorders associated with displaced abomasum in dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to investigate in vitro abomasal motility in dairy cows diagnosed with displaced abomasum. Longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus preparations originating from the abomasal antrum of control cows, and cows diagnosed with left displaced abomasum (LDA), right displaced abomasum (RDA) or abomasal volvulus (AV) were used. In control preparations electrical field stimulation evoked an immediate cholinergic contractile response exceeding amplitude of basal contractions by 60%. In contrast, contractile activity was significantly inhibited during electrical stimulation in LDA, RDA and AV by 47%, 66% and 45%, respectively. This inhibition was reversed in the presence of L-NAME. The staining intensity of NADPH-positive myenteric neurones was significantly higher in displaced abomasa than in controls. Concentration-response curves indicated that preparations from displaced abomasa showed reduced sensitivity to acetylcholine. This study demonstrated motility disorders in displaced abomasa in vitro. The results suggested that abomasal displacement is associated with malfunctions at the level of the intrinsic nervous system combined with impaired cholinergic muscle responses. There appeared to be a predominance of nitrergic inhibitory mechanisms over excitatory mechanisms. These results might be of significance for diseases associated with gastric hypomotility and emptying disorders.

Reduced activity of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase in the serum of cows with ketosis and left displacement of the abomasum.

Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was evaluated in sera from cows with ketosis and in some with left displacement of the abomasum (LDA) that occurred during early lactation. The enzyme activities of 652 +/- 214 U (mean +/- SD) in cows with ketosis (n = 6) and 683 +/- 110 U in those with LDA (n = 5) were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased compared to those in healthy normal cows (994 +/- 65 U, n = 8). Serum concentrations of free cholesterol, cholesteryl esters (CE) and phospholipids were similarly decreased in the two diseases. Cows whose LCAT activity and CE concentration were lower than the normal values were detected while in the non-lactating stage, and some of these cows had ketosis after parturition. It is suggested that evaluation of the LCAT activity and of the CE concentration during the non-lactating stage would be useful in detecting cows that are susceptible to postparturient disorders such as ketosis.