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Thyroid hormones and their correlations with serum glucose, beta hydroxybutyrate, nonesterified fatty acids, cholesterol, and lipoproteins of high-yielding dairy cows at different stages of lactation cycle

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Abstract

The relationships between circulating thyroid hormones and serum glucose, beta hydroxybutyrate (BHB), nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), cholesterol and lipoproteins of high-yielding dairy cows were studied in 125 adult Holsteins at various stages of lactation cycle: early (far-off) dry period (n = 24), late (close-up) dry period (n = 10), fresh cows (n = 22), early lactation (n = 13), mid-lactation (n = 27) and late lactation (n = 29). Decreased levels of thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were noted in peripartum cows which were extended to mid- and late-lactation cows, respectively. In fresh cows, glucose showed correlations with T4 (r = 0.619, P < 0.01) and T3 (r = 0.627, P < 0.01). In the same cows there were correlations between T4 and BHB (r = 0.590, P < 0.01) and NEFA (r = 0.470, P < 0.01). In late dry cows, free thyroxin (fT4) showed correlations with triglyceride (TG) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL; r = −0.638, P < 0.05). Pooled data of the various stages of lactation cycle revealed correlations between glucose and T4 (r = 0.20, P < 0.05), glucose and T3 (r = 0.395, P < 0.01), cholesterol and T3 (r = −0.201, P < 0.05), and free triiodothyronine (fT3) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL; r = 0.178, P < 0.05). It appears that the time and the pattern of changes and/or correlations of serum thyroid hormones and lipid fractions may vary among dairy cows and other animals.

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Abbreviations

NEB:

negative energy balance

BHB:

beta hydroxybutyrate

NEFA:

nonesterified fatty acid

T4 :

thyroxine

T3 :

triiodothyronine

fT4 :

free thyroxine

fT3 :

free triiodothyronine

TG:

triglyceride

VLDL:

very-low-density lipoprotein

HDL:

high-density lipoprotein

LDL:

low-density lipoprotein

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Health Management, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

    M. Mohebbi-Fani

  2. Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, P.O. Box 1731, Shiraz, 71345, Iran

    S. Nazifi

  3. Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

    E. Rowghani

  4. School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

    S. Bahrami & O. Jamshidi

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  1. M. Mohebbi-Fani
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  2. S. Nazifi
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  3. E. Rowghani
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  4. S. Bahrami
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  5. O. Jamshidi
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Correspondence to S. Nazifi.

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Mohebbi-Fani, M., Nazifi, S., Rowghani, E. et al. Thyroid hormones and their correlations with serum glucose, beta hydroxybutyrate, nonesterified fatty acids, cholesterol, and lipoproteins of high-yielding dairy cows at different stages of lactation cycle. Comp Clin Pathol 18, 211–216 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-008-0782-7

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