[Subacute butyric acid exposure in cattle. 4. Clinical influence and effect on the carbohydrate-fat metabolism and liver function of cows].

Eleven cows in late lactation were exposed to butyric acid for three weeks and were compared to five controls. Two intraruminal doses were daily applied, that is 1.0 g/kg B.W. of butyric acid to six animals and 1.0 g/kg B.W. of sodium butyrate to another five. Decline in milk yield was clinically recorded in response to butyric acid, while muscle tremor and diarrhoea resulted additionally from sodium butyrate. Behaviours of the clinico-chemical parameters of beta-OH-butyrate, glucose, free fatty acids, bilirubin, ASAT, gamma-GT, AP, and cholesterol were comparable to those in fattening bulls. Liver damage was not safely established. Some of the clinico-chemical alterations were more strongly pronounced after administration of sodium butyrate. One cow fell ill with ketosis under butyric acid load.