Factors affecting acetone concentration in blood of dairy cows at the first stage of lactation.

The aim of this paper was to determine effects of selected genetic and environmental factors on the concentration of acetone in blood of cows in the first trimester of lactation. The study included 124 Polish Holstein-Friesian primiparous cows born, reared and managed on the same farm. The samples of blood were collected on day 2, 5, 30, 60 and 90 after calving. The highest serum acetone concentration in the animals examined was observed on day 5 after calving. The level of this compound was inversely related to the contribution of the original Holstein-Friesian breed in gene pool. Significantly higher serum acetone level was observed in cows calved in January-March period when compared to other months of the year. Besides, the level of acetone determined on day 5 after calving was associated positively with body weight determined at the same day and negatively with body weight changes between days 5 and 60 after calving.