The relationship between ketosis and transitional nutritional diseases

Ketosis is a highly prevalent nutritional condition that affects fresh dairy cows during the transition period. Ketosis occurs when there is a negative energy balance. Clinical findings of ketosis include excessive loss of body condition, decreased feed consumption (especially of concentrated feed), reduced milk yield, and nervous signs. Subclinical ketosis is a serious nutritional disease that may result in displaced abomasum, decreased milk yield, poor reproductive performances, early culling of herds, and economic losses, among other adverse effects. Ketosis is linked to nutritional disorders that are commonly observed after calving including, metritis, mastitis, milk fever, lameness, retained placenta, and displaced abomasum. The two most crucial strategies for preventing ketosis are reducing negative energy balance and increasing dry matter consumption. The density of triacyl-glycerides and non-esterified fatty acids in plasma is higher after calving. Non-esterified fatty acids are oxidized to ketone bodies. A cow starts to mobilize its body fat for energy when it reaches a negative energy balance. Live weight and body condition score fall under such circumstances.