Serum Biotin Concentrations in Dairy Cows with Sole Ulcer, Heel Erosion and Foot Rot

Abstract

Serum concentrations of total and free biotin and biotinidase activity were investigated in diary cows with, such hoof disorders as sole ulcer, heel erosion and foot rot (interdigital necrobacillosis). The agar-plate method of biotin bioassay using Lactobacillus plantarumATCC 8014 and the colorimetric biotinidase-assay method were employed. Total-biotin serum concentrations were significantly lower in cows with sole ulcer (P< 0.05) and heel erosion (P< 0.01) than in normal cows. Free-biotin serum concentrations in cows with hoof disorders were similar to those in normal cows. No significant difference was observed in serum biotinidase activity between cows with hoof disorders and normal cows. Positive correlations were observed, however, between biotinidase activity and concentrations of total and of free biotin. It may be that biotin ingestion from feed and biotin synthesis by rumen bacteria may decrease below levels in normal cows in dairy cows with, such hoof disorders as sole ulcer and heel erosion.