Association between blood metabolites, tumor necrosis factor alpha concentrations and metabolic disorders in Holstein cows during transition period

The objectives of present study was to evaluate the association among blood metabolites, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and metabolic diseases in Holstein cows during transition period. Pregnant multiparous Holstein cows (N = 50), with body condition scores (BCS) 3.5±0.75 and third parity were selected. Blood samples were collected weekly from 2 week prior to calving to 2 weeks after calving to determine plasma concentrations of non-esterifies fatty acids (NEFA), beta-Hydroxyl butyrate acid (BHBA) and activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotrans-ferase (ALT) enzymes. According to above parameters cows divided into healthy (N =10) and diseases cow (n= 10) and plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin and TNF-α compared weekly from 2 week prior to calving to 2 weeks after calving.Results showed cows with metabolic disorders had higher plasma concentrations of NEFA, BHBA, AST and TNF-alpha compared to healthy cows (P