Nutzung der Haptoglobinkonzentration in Milch als Indikator für das Tiergesundheitsmonitoring bei Milchkühen

Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, die Zusammenhänge zwischen erhöhten Haptoglobin-Konzentrationen in Milch und klinischen sowie labordiagnostischen Parametern bei Kühen in der Frühlaktation zu untersuchen und Grenzwerte für die Unterscheidung zwischen gesunden und kranken Tieren zu ermitteln.

Material und Methoden Es wurden 1462 Milchkühe zwischen dem 5. und dem 65. Laktationstag auf 68 bayerischen Betrieben untersucht. Einmal wöchentlich wurden in einem Zeitraum von 7 Wochen je Betrieb Milch- und Blutproben gezogen und neben einer Körperkonditionsbeurteilung auch eine Messung der Rückenfettdicke via Ultraschall und eine vaginale Metricheck-Untersuchung zur Beurteilung der Uterusgesundheit durchgeführt. Die Milchproben wurden auf die Parameter Milchfett, Milcheiweiß, Laktose, Harnstoff, ß-Hydroxybutyrat und freie Fettsäuren (indirekte Messung, basierend auf IR-Spektren), Zellzahl und Milch-Haptoglobin untersucht. Die Blutproben wurden auf die Parameter Kreatinin, Aspartat-Aminotransferase, Gamma-Glutamyl-Transferase, Glutamat-Dehydrogenase, Gesamtprotein, Albumin, Kreatinkinase, ß-Hydroxybutyrat, freie Fettsäuren und Blut-Haptoglobin untersucht.

Für die Bestimmung von Grenzwerten für Haptoglobin wurden Clusteranalysen durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse Außer Milch-Haptoglobin (µg/ml) und Blut-Haptoglobin (µg/ml) gingen Zellzahl (Zellen/ml Milch), Milchfett (%), Milcheiweiß (%), freie Fettsäuren im Blut (mmol/l), Laktationsnummer, Laktationstage, Rasse, Jahreszeit und Tagesmilchmenge (kg) als signifikante Eingangsvariablen (p<0,005) in die Clusteranalysen ein. Unter Verwendung der Algorithmen k-means bzw. k-prototypes ergaben sich 5 (Cluster 1–5 M¹) bzw. 4 verschiedene Cluster (Cluster 0–3 M² und 0–3 B).

Für die Unterscheidung von gesunden und kranken Tieren wurde der Grenzwert 0,5 µg/ml Haptoglobin in Milch ermittelt.

Schlussfolgerungen und klinische Relevanz Da Milch ein leicht verfügbares Substrat darstellt, bietet sich die routinemäßige Haptoglobinbestimmung in der Milch als Parameter für das Tiergesundheitsmonitoring an. Mithilfe des ermittelten Grenzwertes können augenscheinlich gesunde Tiere mit subklinisch ablaufenden entzündlichen Prozessen schneller aufgefunden werden.

Abstract

Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate relationships between elevated haptoglobin concentrations in milk and clinical as well as laboratory parameters in early lactating dairy cows. Furthermore, cut-off values should be identified for the differentiation of healthy and affected animals.

Material and methods 1462 dairy cows between 5.–65. days in milk were examined on 68 Bavarian farms. Milk and blood samples were taken once a week for a 7-week period per farm and body-condition-scoring, backfat thickness measurement and Metricheck examination, to evaluate uterine health, were performed. Milk samples were analysed for milk fat, milk protein, lactose, urea, ß-hydroxybutyrate and non-esterified fatty acids (indirect measurement, based on IR spectra), cell count, and milk haptoglobin. Blood samples were analysed for creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, total protein, albumin, creatine kinase, ß-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, and blood haptoglobin.

Cluster analyses were performed to determine cut-off values for haptoglobin.

Results Besides milk haptoglobin (µg/ml) and blood haptoglobin (µg/ml), cell count (cells/ml milk), milk fat (%), milk protein (%), non-esterified fatty acids in blood (mmol/l), lactation number, days in milk, breed, season, and milk yield (kg) were included as significant input variables (p<0.005) in the cluster analyses. Cluster analysis, using k-means resp. k-prototypes algorithms, resulted in 5 (clusters 1–5 M¹) resp. 4 different clusters (clusters 0–3 M² and 0–3 B).

A cut-off value of 0.5 µg/ml haptoglobin in milk was determined for the differentiation of healthy and affected animals.

Conclusion and clinical relevance As milk is an easily available substrate, routine determination of haptoglobin in milk might be a suitable parameter for animal health monitoring. Using the detected cut-off value, apparently healthy animals with subclinical inflammatory diseases can be identified more quickly.

Schlüsselwörter

Haptoglobin - Zellzahl - Akute-Phase-Protein - Frühlaktation - Herdengesundheit

Key words

Haptoglobin - somatic cell count - acute-phase-reaction - early lactation - herd health

Publication History

Received: 21 February 2023

Accepted: 10 April 2023

Article published online:
06 December 2023

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