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PubMed2004

Replacing cows' with sheep's dairy fat lowers plasma cholesterol concentration in participants consuming dairy fat-rich diets.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects on plasma cholesterol concentration of replacing cows' dairy fat with sheep's dairy fat. DESIGN: Randomised crossover dietary intervention. SETTING: General community, Dunedin, New Zealand. SUBJECTS: Volunteer sample of 41 healthy adults with initial plasma cholesterol concentration between 4.8 and 7.8 mmol/l. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were asked to follow a self-selected low-fat background diet throughout the study to which, during each of the 2, 3-week dairy diets, they were asked to add sheep's or cows' dairy products. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Energy and nutrient intakes, plasma triacylglycerol fatty acids, and plasma cholesterol. RESULTS: Energy and nutrient intakes on the sheep-dairy and cow-dairy diets were very similar, with total, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat contributing 34, 18-19, 9, and 3% of total energy intake, respectively. Participants consumed approximately 50 g/day of dairy fat on each diet. Replacing cows' with sheep's dairy fat led to a 0.33 (0.11-0.56, 95% CI) mmol/l decrease (6%) in plasma total cholesterol concentration, from 5.53 (0.90, s.d.) to 5.20 (0.90) mmol/l. Plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was 0.18 (0.02-0.33) mmol/l lower on the sheep-dairy diet as was the concentration of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, 0.11 (0.02-0.20) mmol/l. The LDL to HDL cholesterol ratio at the end of the sheep-dairy diet, 2.91 (1.10), was not significantly different (P>0.05) from the cow-dairy diet, 2.73 (0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Within the context of a diet high in dairy fat (50 g/day), replacing cows' milk fat with sheep's milk fat leads to a small reduction in plasma cholesterol concentration, but no change in the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

A partnership of universities and agri-business for an effective dairy herd management learning experience for undergraduates: the Dairy Challenge.

The Dairy Challenge contest allows undergraduate students to apply knowledge gained in the classroom in an evaluation of the management practices of commercial dairy farms. University faculty partnered with industry representatives to develop the competition. Participants in the Dairy Challenge do the following: 1) critically evaluate dairy herd management practices and make recommendations for improvements; 2) visit local dairy farms and gain knowledge of different farms' management practices; 3) meet and interact with potential employers from the dairy industry during the contest; 4) evaluate herd records and utilize knowledge of dairy herd management software and computer presentation tools; 5) test their speaking, presentation, and problem-solving skills; and 6) work as a team to build consensus and tag-team speaking formats. Teams of four undergraduate students critically evaluate a commercial dairy farm using herd records, a description of farm operations, and tour of the farm facilities. The farmer answers questions pertaining to management of the farm in a group interview with all teams and in a separate interview with each individual team. Teams give a 20-min presentation that is scored on the description and assessment of the management practices and recommendations for improvements in management and facilities. Additionally, scoring is based on apparent level of preparation, speaking, presentation skills, and responses to judges' questions. The judges are university specialists and dairy industry professionals. This capstone experience allows students to interact with dairy farmers and representatives from the dairy industry and expands their knowledge and skills gained during their academic career.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1997

Shift from a dairy product-rich to a dairy product-free diet: influence on cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of fecal water--potential risk factors for colon cancer.

Several epidemiologic studies have suggested that dairy product intake is associated with a decreased incidence of colon cancer. To determine whether the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the aqueous portion of human stool (two potential risk markers for the disease) were affected by a change in dairy product intake, 18 healthy male and female volunteers were randomly divided into two groups. In a crossover design, the volunteers shifted from their normal dairy product-rich diet to a dairy product-free diet. Nutritional analysis of the food consumed during the study period showed a significant decrease in energy intake from 9000 to 7866 kJ/d because of a decreased intake of protein and fat. Carbohydrate and fiber intakes remained unchanged during the intervention. Calcium intake decreased significantly from 1488 to 372 mg/d, with similar significant decreases in phosphate and vitamin D intakes. Cytotoxicity of fecal water, analyzed by the HT-29 cytotoxicity assay, indicated a significant decrease in cell survival from 34% to 20% when dairy products were excluded from the participants' diets. Single-cell gel electrophoresis (COMET assay), used to analyze genotoxicity of fecal waters, indicated no differences brought about by the dietary intervention. In conclusion, our findings indicate that a shift from a dairy product-rich to a dairy product-free diet resulted in a significant effect on an accepted risk marker for colon cancer and may suggest that the mechanism by which dairy products are protective is at the level of tumor promotion rather than initiation.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Dairy manure and plant nutrient management issues affecting water quality and the dairy industry.

Specific requirements for dairy manure management to protect water quality from nutrient pollution depend on the organization of individual farms. Further, the management requirements and options are different for point (farmstead) and nonpoint (field-applied) sources of pollution from farms. A formal management process can guide decisions about existing crop nutrient utilization potential, provide a framework for tracking nutrients supplied to crops, and identify future requirements for dairy manure management to protect water quality. Farm managers can use the process to plan daily activities, to assess annual nutrient management performance, and to chart future requirements as herd size increases. Agronomic measures of nutrient balance and tracking of inputs and outputs for various farm management units can provide the quantitative basis for management to allocate better manure to fields, to modify dairy rations, or to develop alternatives to on-farm manure application. Changes in agricultural production since World War II have contributed to a shift from land-based dairy production to a reliance on capital factors of production supplied by the dairy industry. Meanwhile, management of dairy manure to meet increasingly stringent water quality protection requirements is still a land-based activity. Involving the dairy industry and off-farm stakeholders as participants in the management process for field, farm, and regional dairy production can be the basis for decision-making to reconcile the sometimes conflicting demands of production and water quality protection.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1987

Relationships of bovine leukemia virus prevalence in dairy herds and density of dairy cattle to human lymphocytic leukemia.

A case-control study was conducted to examine possible relationships between human acute lymphoid leukemia and exposure to dairy cattle and drinking of raw milk. Two hundred twenty-three persons with acute lymphoid leukemia, diagnosed during the years 1969 to 1971 and 1973 to 1980 from the 87 most rural Iowa counties, were accessed from case records at the Iowa State Health Registry for participation in the present study. Each person and 2 matched controls were interviewed for history of residence, exposure to dairy cattle, and consumption of nonpasteurized dairy products. Two types of comparisons between affected persons and controls were done: the prevalence of bovine leukemia virus infection (as measured by serologic study) in dairy herds with which the affected persons and controls had either occupational contact or from which they had consumed raw milk and the density of dairy cattle in the townships where affected persons and controls lived. The bovine leukemia virus infection prevalence in dairy herds with which affected persons had contact was 20%, whereas the infection prevalence in the herds with which the controls had contact was 38%. The density of dairy cows in townships where affected persons resided was generally less than that in townships where controls resided. However, there was one exception; the density of dairy cows at 20 years before diagnosis was higher (589) in townships where affected adult female persons resided, compared with that in townships where controls resided (567).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Dairy and dairy-related nutrient intake during middle childhood.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize patterns of dairy intake among girls in middle childhood. DESIGN: Longitudinal data were used to characterize girls' patterns of dairy intake at age 5, 7, 9, and 11 years. SUBJECTS: Participants were 151 girls from predominately middle-class and exclusively non-Hispanic white families living in central Pennsylvania. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Intakes of dairy, energy, macronutrients, vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus were assessed using three 24-hour dietary recalls in 151 non-Hispanic white girls at age 5, 7, 9, and 11 years. Analyses of changes over time were conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance. McNemar's chi(2) test was used to analyze change in percentage of dairy consumers over time. RESULTS: From age 5 to 11 years, girls' total dairy intake remained stable. Total milk consumption declined, due to a decline in intake of milk as a beverage, while intakes of cheese and dairy desserts increased. Much of the decline in milk intake from age 5 to 11 years, especially for milk as a beverage, was due to a reduction in the percentage of girls consuming milk as a beverage, not simply due to a decline in the servings of milk as a beverage consumed by consumers. On average, girls met vitamin D recommendations over time; however, by age 9 and 11 years girls failed to meet calcium and phosphorus recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Although girls' dairy intake was stable over time, at age 7, 9, and 11 years girls did not meet the recommended three servings per day, leading to suboptimal intakes of calcium and phosphorus at age 9 and 11 years. Increasing milk intake among all children should continue to be a major focus of interventions.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1994

Benefits of the National Dairy Council to the dairy processing industry.

The National Dairy Council and its affiliated units have had a vital role in presenting the nutritional qualities of US dairy products to a variety of audiences. Established in 1915, National Dairy Council has been the segment of the dairy industry that initiates and administers nutrition research, implements cutting-edge educational programs, and communicates about the nutritional merits of dairy products to educators, health professionals, consumers, and other important groups. The grassroots structure of National Dairy Council allows it to communicate these important messages at both the national and local levels.

Dairy Products↗

PubMed2004

Epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle on traditional, small-scale dairy and large-scale dairy farms in Iringa district, Tanzania.

A longitudinal study was carried out to determine the prevalence, distribution and intensity of gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes in traditional, small-scale dairy and large-scale dairy cattle farms in Iringa district, Southern highlands of Tanzania. Coprological examination of cohorts for GI nematode eggs in faeces, tracer worm counts and pasture larval counts were performed monthly for 1 year. Results indicated that the type of management, especially the grazing habit has a significant influence on the prevalence and intensity of GI nematodes. The predominant nematodes were Cooperia spp. (51.6%), Oesophagostomum radiatum (35.7%) and Haemonchus placei (10.2%). The worm burden in tracers was mainly composed of Cooperia spp. (83%) in large-scale dairy farms, while O. radiatum was dominant (60.8%) in traditional farms. Faecal egg counts (FEC) and tracer worm counts were generally low and FEC peaked only in calves and weaners/yearlings. Adults and all age groups in small-scale dairy farms had very low FEC throughout the year. Pasture larval counts, FEC and tracer worm counts peaked towards the end of the rainy season. Based on conditions of the study area, farmers could save substantial amount of money through strategic treatments as opposed to the previous routine of treating the whole herd at least four times a year. Strategic treatments are recommended in calves and weaners only in traditional and large-scale dairy farms. Strategic treatment of adults and small-scale dairy cattle might be not necessary. Strategic treatments at the end of the rainy/early dry season (May/June) and at the end of the dry/early rainy season (November/December) are recommended in the district. An additional treatment against GI nematodes in calves during the mid rainy season (February/March) might be important.

Aging↗

PubMed1992

Comparative study of the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of large animal veterinarians, dairy farmers, and dairy processors in Michigan on bovine somatotropin.

A cross-sectional epidemiologic study was conducted to evaluate two objectives. The first was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of large animal (dairy) veterinarians, dairy farmers, and dairy processors in Michigan toward the use of bovine somatotropin (BST). The second was to compare and contrast the data from the large animal veterinarians, dairy farmers, and dairy processors according to the knowledge, attitude, and behavior variables. A written questionnaire was used as an instrument to collect data relating to the objectives. Three basic types of questions were asked of each group: (1) how much do you know about BST? (knowledge-based question), (2) how do you feel about BST? (attitude-based question), and (3) how would you use BST or use dairy products produced through BST biotechnology (behavior-based question)?

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Epidemiology of Fasciola gigantica and amphistomes in cattle on traditional, small-scale dairy and large-scale dairy farms in the southern highlands of Tanzania.

A longitudinal descriptive study was conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution of flukes (Fasciola gigantica and amphistomes) on traditional, large-scale and small-scale dairy cattle farms in Iringa district, southern highlands of Tanzania. Coprological examinations of different cohorts for the presence of fluke eggs were recorded monthly. Results indicated a significant influence of the type of management on the prevalence of both Fasciola and amphistomes. The prevalence of flukes was highest in the traditional system, moderate in the large-scale dairy system and lowest in the small-scale dairy system in most parts of the year. Adults and yearlings had the highest prevalence of flukes in all management systems throughout the year. The proportion of animals excreting amphistome eggs was always higher than that of animals excreting Fasciola eggs in all zones, villages, management systems, farms and age groups. The proportion of animals passing fluke eggs increased gradually from the early dry season and peaked at the end of the dry season and the early part of the rainy season. Strategic treatments against flukes are recommended in adults and yearlings only in traditional and large-scale dairy farms. Routine treatments of calves/weanlings in large-scale and traditional farms and zero-grazed small-scale dairy cattle farms might be unnecessary. For a cost-effective helminth control programme in the area, strategic treatments at the beginning of the dry season (June) and at the end of the dry/early rainy season (November/December) are recommended.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Studies on hepatic lipidosis and coinciding health and fertility problems of high-producing dairy cows using the "Utrecht fatty liver model of dairy cows". A review.

Fatty liver or hepatic lipidosis is a major metabolic disorder of high-producing dairy cows that occurs rather frequently in early lactation and is associated with decreased health, production and fertility. A background section of the review explores reasons why high-producing dairy cows are prone to develop fatty liver post partum. Hepatic lipidosis and coinciding health and fertility problems seriously endanger profitability and longevity of the dairy cow. Results from a great number of earlier epidemiological and clinical studies made it clear that a different approach was needed for elucidation of pathogenesis and etiology of this complex of health problems. There was a need for an adequate animal model in which hepatic lipidosis and production, health and fertility problems could be provoked under controlled conditions. It was hypothesized that overconditioning ante partum and feed restriction post partum might induce lipolysis in adipose tissue and triacylglycerol accumulation in the liver following calving. This consideration formed the basis for the experiments, which resulted in the "Utrecht fatty liver model of dairy cows". In this model, post partum triacylglycerol-lipidosis as well as the whole complex of health and fertility problems are induced under well-controlled conditions. The experimental protocol based on this hypothesis produced in all cases (10 feeding trials with over 150 dairy cattle) the intended result, i.e. all experimental cows developed post partum higher hepatic triacylglycerol concentrations than did control cows. The model was evaluated in biochemical, clinical pathology, immunological, clinical and fertility terms. It turned out that in this model, post partum triacylglycerol-lipidosis as well as the whole complex of health and fertility problems were induced under well-controlled conditions.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2006

Pattern of eprinomectin milk excretion in dairy sheep unaffected by lactation stage: comparative residual profiles in dairy products.

Eprinomectin (EPM) is a broad-spectrum endectocide compound approved for use in dairy cattle with a zero milk-withdrawal period, but has not been registered for use in lactating dairy sheep. The pattern of EPM excretion in milk was comparatively characterized following its pour-on administration (500 microg/kg) to lactating dairy sheep at two different stages of lactation. The relationship between milk excretion and plasma disposition kinetics of EPM was characterized. Residual EPM concentrations were assessed during cheese making (whey and curd) and ripening (cheese) by high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. EPM was poorly distributed from the bloodstream to the mammary gland and low concentrations were excreted in milk. The level of milk production (early-mid and mid-late lactation) did not affect either the plasma-milk distribution or the pattern of residual concentrations in milk. During cheese making, the highest residual concentrations of EPM were measured in the curd, which increased during cheese ripening, reaching a maximum after 40 days. However, these residual concentrations were below the maximum residue limit of 20 ng/ml established for EPM in bovine's milk. Therefore, these dairy products could be considered safe for consumers after the EPM antiparasitic pour-on treatment (500 microg/kg) in lactating dairy sheep.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2006

Major advances in testing of dairy products: milk component and dairy product attribute testing.

Milk component analysis is relatively unusual in the field of quantitative analytical chemistry because an analytical test result determines the allocation of very large amounts of money between buyers and sellers of milk. Therefore, there is high incentive to develop and refine these methods to achieve a level of analytical performance rarely demanded of most methods or laboratory staff working in analytical chemistry. In the last 25 yr, well-defined statistical methods to characterize and validate analytical method performance combined with significant improvements in both the chemical and instrumental methods have allowed achievement of improved analytical performance for payment testing. A shift from marketing commodity dairy products to the development, manufacture, and marketing of value added dairy foods for specific market segments has created a need for instrumental and sensory approaches and quantitative data to support product development and marketing. Bringing together sensory data from quantitative descriptive analysis and analytical data from gas chromatography olfactometry for identification of odor-active compounds in complex natural dairy foods has enabled the sensory scientist and analytical chemist to work together to improve the consistency and quality of dairy food flavors.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Influence of the Milk and Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Program on dairy farm drug management practices.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that dairy farms certified in the Milk and Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Program (QAP) were more likely to use prudent drug management practices than farms that were not certified. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 141 Michigan dairy farms of which 74 were not certified in the QAP, 30 were involuntarily certified, and 37 were voluntarily certified. PROCEDURE: Dairy producers completed a self-administered questionnaire that focused on herd health management, drug use, record keeping, personnel management, and descriptive characteristics of their farm during 1993. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were developed to determine the association of QAP certification with each of the management practices. RESULTS: Results suggested that farms adopted specific management practices irrespective of certification. Many farms used visible identification and non-emergency veterinary services and discussed residue prevention with employees. Involuntary certification was associated with maintenance of good written treatment records and performance of on-farm drug residue testing. Voluntary certification was weakly associated with use of refrigerated drug storage. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: QAP certification appeared to have been associated with the adoption of only a few prudent drug use practices, although QAP materials and framework were developed to assist veterinarians in the promotion of disease prevention, client communication, and residue prevention practices on farms. Veterinary care would benefit from the development and encouragement of better record keeping on farms.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Evaluation of the results of a survey of dairy producers on dairy herd biosecurity and vaccination against bovine viral diarrhea.

A survey on biosecurity and vaccination practices was sent to 632 dairy producers in Pennsylvania to determine the proportion of the approximately 12,500 dairy herds in Pennsylvania that might be at risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Most producers relied on their veterinarian for vaccination information and vaccine purchases, but administered the vaccine to the cattle themselves. Many producers did not vaccinate all susceptible groups of cattle in their herd. Also, many producers did not administer a booster vaccination after administration of an initial killed-virus vaccine, as recommended by vaccine manufacturers. As a result, although 309 of 376 (82.2%) dairy producers indicated that they routinely vaccinated their herds, only 73 of 266 (27.4%) herds were considered adequately vaccinated. Veterinarians were as likely to administer vaccines to cattle in adequately vaccinated herds as to cattle in inadequately vaccinated herds. Adequately vaccinated herds were more likely to be larger herds (> 121 cattle) than smaller herds. Analysis of survey results indicated that veterinarians are not taking full advantage of their pivotal role in dairy herd vaccination programs.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed2006

Distribution of mRNA coding for 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor subtypes in the intestines of healthy dairy cows and dairy cows with cecal dilatation-dislocation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of mRNA coding for 7 subtypes of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors (5-HTRs) in the intestines of healthy dairy cows and dairy cows with cecal dilatation-dislocation (CDD). SAMPLE POPULATION: Full-thickness intestinal wall biopsy specimens were obtained from the ileum, cecum, proximal loop of the ascending colon, and external loop of the spiral colon (ELSC) of 15 cows with CDD (group 1) and 15 healthy dairy cows allocated to 2 control groups (specimens collected during routine laparotomy [group 2] or after cows were slaughtered [group 3]). PROCEDURE: Amounts of mRNA coding for 7 subtypes of 5-HTRs (5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D, 5-HT1F, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT4) were measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR assay. Results were expressed as the percentage of mRNA expression of a housekeeping gene. RESULTS: Expression of mRNA coding for 5-HTR1B, 5-HTR2B, and 5-HTR4 was significantly lower in cows with CDD than in healthy cows. For 5-HTR2B and 5-HTR4, significant differences between cows with CDD and control cows were most pronounced for the ELSC. Expression of mRNA for 5-HTR1D, 5-HTR1F, and 5-HTR2A was extremely low in all groups, and mRNA for 5-HTR1A was not detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Relative concentrations of mRNA coding for 5-HTR1B, 5-HT2B, and 5-HTR4 were significantly lower in the intestines of cows with CDD than in the intestines of healthy dairy cows, especially for 5-HT2B and 5-HTR4 in the ELSC. This supports the hypothesis that serotonergic mechanisms, primarily in the spiral colon, are implicated in the pathogenesis of CDD.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2001

Evaluation of two hormonal protocols for synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination in dairy cows managed in grazing-based dairies.

To evaluate the efficacy of two hormonal protocols for synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination (TAI) in dairy cows managed in grazing-based dairies, lactating dairy cows (n = 142) from two grazing-based dairies were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Cows in the first group (Ovsynch) received 50 microg of GnRH (d -10); 25 mg of PGF2alpha (d -3), and 50 microg of GnRH (d -1) followed by timed AI on d 0. Cows in the second group (PGF + Ovsynch) received a modified Ovsynch and timed AI similar to Ovsynch but with the addition of 25 mg of PGF2alpha 12 d (d -22) before initiation of Ovsynch. Cows in the third group (control) received standard reproductive management in place on each farm. Luteolysis occurred in 90.5% of cows exhibiting luteal function on d -22 in the PGF + Ovsynch treatment group, whereas none of the cows in the Ovsynch group underwent luteolysis on d -22. Synchronization rate (i.e., ovulatory response at 48 h after the second GnRH injection), conception rates at TAI and pregnancy rates after 35 d of breeding were similar for cows in the Ovsynch and PGF + Ovsynch groups. The proportion of anovular cows at the first GnRH injection of the synchronization protocols (d -10) was similar for cows receiving Ovsynch (28.0%) and PGF + Ovsynch (30.7%), and conception rate at TAI was similar for cycling (45.8%) and anovular (30.0%) cows. The cumulative pregnancy rate was greater for cows receiving TAI compared with control cows after 7 d of breeding (41.2 vs. 20.0%) but did not differ at 35 d of breeding (54.9 vs. 60.0%). Administration of PGF2alpha 12 d before initiation of Ovsynch did not improve synchronization, conception, or pregnancy rate compared with the standard Ovsynch protocol. Synchronization of ovulation to initiate timed AI at the onset of the breeding season resulted in earlier establishment of pregnancy compared with standard reproductive management.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Use of metabolic profiles in dairy cattle in tropical and subtropical countries on smallholder dairy farms.

Metabolic profile testing has generally been used as part of a multidisciplinary approach for dairy herds in temperate climates. Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of the technique for identifying constraints on productivity in small herds in environments less favorable for milk production. Metabolites tested were chosen for stability in the sample after collection of blood, ease of analysis and practical knowledge of the meaning of the results. Blood levels of five different metabolites in low-producing dairy cows belonging to smallholders in tropical and subtropical environments were measured. The study involved 13 projects with 80 cows in each, carried out in six Latin American, six Asian, and one southern European countries. Data were also collected on feeding, body condition score (BCS) and weight change, parasitism, and reproduction. In Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Philippines, Uruguay, and Venezuela, globulin levels were high in > 17% of cows sampled on each occasion. Globulin levels were also high in Turkey and Vietnam on one or more occasions. In Paraguay, 49% of cows had high globulin levels at two to three months after calving. These results suggest that inflammatory disease was present to a potentially important degree, although this was not always investigated and not always taken into account. In all countries except Mexico and Venezuela, high beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels before calving in many cows highlighted the presence of condition loss in late pregnancy, an important potential constraint on productivity and fertility. Fewer cows showed high BHB levels in lactation, whereas change in BCS and weight was more sensitive for measuring negative energy balance. Urea concentrations were low in only small numbers of cows suggesting that dietary protein shortages were not common. Albumin values were low mainly in cows where globulin values were high and, hence, did not generally provide additional information. The exception was in China where pregnant yaks over winter had high BHB and low albumin values, suggesting that they were seriously underfed. This observation stimulated a successful nutritional intervention in the following winter. Inorganic phosphate values were within the reference range in most countries a majority of the time suggesting, contrary to expectation, that this mineral was not commonly a constraint. The use of metabolic profile testing proved valuable in drawing attention to important potential constraints on productivity in dairy cows in tropical and subtropical environments and in confirming those which were not.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗