Comparative evaluation of fatty infiltration of the liver in dairy cattle by using blood and serum analysis, ultrasonography, and digital analysis

Summary

Blood samples were collected from 158 Holstein‐Friesian cows and analysed for aspartate aminotransferasc, alanine aminotransferasc, alkaline phosphatase, gamma‐glutamyl transferase and ornithine carabamoyltrans‐fcrase activities and glucose, total bilirubin, triglyceride, cholesterol‐ester and non‐esterifled fatty acids concentrations. Ultrasonography of the liver was performed, and hepatic ultrasonograms were evaluated subjectively or analysed digitally, and liver samples were examined histopathologically. The diagnostic rates for the different tests were compared. Of the 158 animals, 117 had a normal liver and 41 had fatty infiltration of the liver. For diagnosis of fatty infiltration, digital analysis had the highest sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values, followed by ultrasonography.

Notes

Department of Veterinary Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine. Inada‐cho, Obihiro City. Hokkaido 080, Japan.