Alterations in Biological Markers Monitored by Advanced Technologies in Dairy Cattle with Subacute Ruminal Acidosis

Objectives: Advanced technologies were used to identify alterations in biological markers including reticulorumen pH and temperature, cattle activity, water consumption, and milk fatprotein ratio among dairy cows with subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) versus healthy cow group. Methods: A total of 59 dairy cows were chosen based on the criteria of two or more lactations and 31 (±5) days in milk. These cattle were divided into two groups according to the clinical examination findings: Sub­ acute acidosis group and healthy control group. Subacute acidosis group (SCA, n=23) exhibited signs of this disease (rumen motility rates of 5 to 6 times every 3 minutes, diarrhea, presence of undigested feed in feces). The control group (HC, n=36) showed no signal of SARA. „Brolis Sensor Technology“ (Vilnius, Lietuva) system was used to document every day milk production (kg/day), milk fat ( %), milk protein ( %) and their ratio. Meanwhile, „Smaxtec technology“ (Graz, Austria) was used to track reticulorumen parameters involving rumination time (minutes a day), pH, temperature (°C), water consumption (hours per day) and cattle activity. Results: The findings indicated that the biological markers captured by innovative technologies we used could help identify subclinical acidosis of cattle. Animals with SARA had reticulorumen pH that’s lower by 18.8 % (p < 0.0001), they also had a 10.49 % decreased production of milk (p < 0.001) and milk fat/protein ratio by 11.88 % (p < 0.01), a 6.59 % lower rumination time (p < 0.01). Additionally, the activity of SCA group cows was higher by 57.19 % (p < 0.001) compared to HC. Conclusions: Significant differences between the groups in reticulorumen pH, milk yield, milk fat- to­ protein ratio, rumination time, and animal activity have been found. Therefore tracking these parameters for the identification of subclinical acidosis is a practical and reliable method for farmers and veterinarians.