Ataei Kachouei Matin, Parkulo Jacob, Gerrard Samuel D, Fernandes Tatiane, Osorio Johan S, Ali Md Azahar
School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
Nat Commun. 2025 Jan 2;16(1):265. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-55535-w.
The diagnosis of milk fever or hypocalcemia in lactating cows has a significant economic impact on the dairy industry. It is challenging to identify asymptomatic subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH) in transition dairy cows. Monitoring subclinical hypocalcemia in milk samples can expedite treatment and improve the health, productivity, and welfare of dairy cows. In this study, an attomolar-sensitive sensor is developed using extrusion-based 3D-printed sensing structures to detect the ratio of ionized calcium to phosphate levels in milk samples. The unique geometries of the lateral structure of 3D-printed sensors, along with the wrinkled surfaces, provide a limit of detection down to the attomole (138 aM) concentration of the target analyte. The calcium-to-phosphate ratio in milk samples not only provides early disease indications but also enables on-site testing. This highly selective test is validated using real milk and blood samples, and the results are compared with those of commercial meters. This fast response (~10 s) low-cost sensor opens a promising tool for the farm-side diagnostic of dairy cows that can promote best practice management of dairy cows.
泌乳奶牛的乳热或低钙血症诊断对乳制品行业有着重大经济影响。识别围产期奶牛的无症状亚临床低钙血症（SCH）具有挑战性。监测牛奶样本中的亚临床低钙血症可以加快治疗，并改善奶牛的健康、生产力和福利。在本研究中，使用基于挤压的3D打印传感结构开发了一种阿托摩尔敏感传感器，以检测牛奶样本中离子钙与磷酸盐水平的比率。3D打印传感器横向结构的独特几何形状以及表面的褶皱，使目标分析物的检测限低至阿托摩尔（138 aM）浓度。牛奶样本中的钙磷比不仅能提供疾病早期迹象，还能进行现场检测。该高选择性测试使用真实牛奶和血液样本进行了验证，并将结果与商用血糖仪的结果进行了比较。这种快速响应（约10秒）的低成本传感器为奶牛的农场侧诊断开辟了一种有前景的工具，可促进奶牛的最佳实践管理。
