1987 Volume 40 Issue 3 Pages 157-160
The concentration and composition of serum free fatty acids (FFA) were examined in normal and ketotic dairy cows during 8 weeks before and after calving. In the normal cows, FFA showed a rapid increase in concentration at calving and a decrease after calving. Gas chromatography analysis demonstrated reversed phase changes of some serum fatty acids. Palmitic acid (C16: 0) and oleic acid (C18: 1) increased at calving and then decreased. Linoleic acid (C18: 2) showed a marked decrease in relative ratio before calving. It increased to be a maximum component at 8 weeks after calving. The ketotic cows showed a greater increase in FFA concentration than the normal cows at calving, maintaining a high level of FFA after calving. They presented a much lower linoleic acid concentration at calving than the normal cows and a low rate of increase in this concentration after calving.
