2011 Volume 73 Issue 11 Pages 1497-1499
The purposes of this study were 1) to examine changes in the indocyanine green (ICG) clearance by feeding and 4-day fasting in dry cows, and (2) to investigate the relationship between ICG clearance and blood chemistry profile in postpartum cows. In 3 dry cows, post-feeding ICG half-life (T1/2) was shorter than the pre-feeding value, and post-fasting T1/2 was longer than pre-feeding and post-feeding values. In 16 lactating cows, T1/2 value at 2 weeks postpartum showed positive correlations with AST, T-Bil and γ-GTP. These results suggested that ICG clearance correlated with T-Bil and liver enzymes can be sensitive and accurate diagnostic marker for impaired liver function in dairy cows. In addition, ICG clearance is greatly affected by feeding and fasting.