Sixty Holstein–Frisian dairy cows were enrolled in early post-partum (26.5 ± 1.5 days in milk). The total mixed ration (TMR) and the chemical composition of lactation diet was previously reported in the study of Fiore et al. [22 (link)]. Blood samples, analyzed for this research, were the same collected in the study of Fiore et al., taken from the high producing dairy farm located in Padua, Italy (45°36′ N. 11°40′ E. 23 m above sea-level) [18 (link),22 (link),23 (link)].
Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein using a vacutainer system. The BHB was measured using the Nova Biomedical Express digital reader (Nova Biomedical, Runcorn, UK) with specific BHB test strips (Stat Strip Ket, Nova Biomedical, Runcorn, United Kingdom), before taking the blood sample.
The purpose of the measurement of ketone bodies in the farm was to select dairy cows with a concentration of BHB greater than 1.0 mmol/L. The quantity of ketone bodies above this numerical value is often present in asymptomatic animals, but it is an excellent indicator of the risk of developing metabolic disorder in the postpartum [13 (link)].
The blood samples were collected for each bovine enrolled. Two samples were collected in vacuum tubes containing EDTA (5 mL; Terumo Venoject, Leuven, Belgium) and one in Venosafe tubes containing Clot Activator (9 mL; Terumo Venosafe, Leuvel, Belgium).
Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein using a vacutainer system. The BHB was measured using the Nova Biomedical Express digital reader (Nova Biomedical, Runcorn, UK) with specific BHB test strips (Stat Strip Ket, Nova Biomedical, Runcorn, United Kingdom), before taking the blood sample.
The purpose of the measurement of ketone bodies in the farm was to select dairy cows with a concentration of BHB greater than 1.0 mmol/L. The quantity of ketone bodies above this numerical value is often present in asymptomatic animals, but it is an excellent indicator of the risk of developing metabolic disorder in the postpartum [13 (link)].
The blood samples were collected for each bovine enrolled. Two samples were collected in vacuum tubes containing EDTA (5 mL; Terumo Venoject, Leuven, Belgium) and one in Venosafe tubes containing Clot Activator (9 mL; Terumo Venosafe, Leuvel, Belgium).
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