The effect of feeding mangel-wurzels on blood beta-hydroxybutyrate level of milk-producing cows
Bijlsma, J.G.; Counotte, G.H.
Tijdschrift Voor Diergeneeskunde 117(21): 627-629
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-7453 PMID: 1440545 Document Number: 390850
The effect of feeding dairy cattle mangel-wurzels on the serum increased concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate was investigated in serum is normally indicative of an increased catabolism of fats in the liver as a result of an energy shortage. Feeding cattle large amounts of mangel-wurzels can cause the serum beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration to increase above normal reference values, thus seemingly indicating that there is a (sub)clinical acetonaemia. In fact the increased concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate is probably the result of an increased production of butyrate in the rumen.