On-farm analysis of exhaled breath compounds as indicators for a postpartum health score in dairy cattle: a case study.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this case study was to investigate if respiratory ratios derived from non-invasive exhaled breath measurements could be used as a tool to detect dairy cows at risk for impaired postpartum health. Measurements of exhaled breath from individual cows took place during visits to a concentrate feeder from 2 wk prepartum until 6 wk postpartum (Veterinary Metabolism System, Relitech). Per measurement, concentrations of oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) (vol%) were measured. Subsequently, daily average respiratory exchange ratio (RER; CO2/O2), CH4 exchange ratio (MER; CH4/O2) and CH4-to-CO2 ratio (MCR; CH4/CO2) were calculated per cow. Cows were scored clinically twice weekly from 2 wk prepartum until 6 wk postpartum on 19 clinical signs. Blood β-hydroxybutyric

SUBMITTER: de Bruijn BGC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12342983 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature