Hepatic Lipidosis in Ruminants

Abstract

Hepatic lipidosis (ie, fatty liver) occurs primarily during the first weeks of lactation in dairy cows because of excessive lipolysis overwhelming the concomitant capacity for beta-oxidation and hepatic export of triglycerides. Besides economic losses due to reduced lactational and reproductive performance, close associations with concomitantly occurring infectious and metabolic health disorders, in particular ketosis, exist. Hepatic lipidosis is not only a consequence from the postpartal negative energy balance but also acts as a disease component for further health disorders.

Keywords: Dairy cow; Fat cow syndrome; Fatty liver; Hepatic lipidosis; Liver; Pathophysiology.