Abstract

Background: Ketosis is one of the most important metabolic disorders occur in dairy cows after parturition due to negative energy balance (NEB) around calving. Aim: The study evaluated a certain therapeutic regimen of ketosis in Holstein dairy cattle by using combination therapy including hormones, corticosteroids, propylene glycol and vitamin B12 as well as the use of milk yield rates, insulin, insulin sensitivity and abomasal functions monitors as diagnostic biomarkers for the recovery of ketotic cows either pre-therapy (0 day) or post-therapy (7 and 14 days). Methods: This study was conducted on ketotic cattle (n=20) belonged to different dairy farms in Cairo and Giza governorates, Egypt. The diseased cows were undergoing clinical and biochemical investigations for estimation of serum insulin, Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (RQUICKI) and abomasal functions monitors mainly serum levels of gastrin, pepsinogen and chloride. Results: The rates of milk production, cost: benefit analysis ratio and benefit of the dairy farm in ketotic animals were significantly increased post-treatment. An improvement of insulin sensitivity was stated as serum insulin and RQUICKI were remarkably increased in post-therapeutic ketotic cows. Monitors of the abomasal function revealed abomasal functions improvement through the significant elevation of blood gastrin and significant reduction in serum pepsinogen due to treatment. Conclusion: the study revealed a high efficacy of the applied therapeutic strategy regime. It led to high recovery rate and very low relapse rate for ketosis. An improvement in milk yield rates, insulin sensitivity and abomasal function monitors were reported. Hypoinsulinaemia was still reported however serum insulin was improved.

Key words: Abomasal functions monitors, Cattle, Insulin resistance, Ketosis, RQUICKI, Therapeutic regimen