The Open Veterinary Science Journal

2013, 7 : 1-5
Published online 2013 February 22. DOI: 10.2174/1874318801307010001
Publisher ID: TOVSJ-7-1

Effectiveness of Isoprothiolane in Preventing Fatty Liver in Dairy Cows

Jun A. Minaguchi , Michisaburo Miura , Shin Oikawa , Fumi Handa , Takuya Haraguchi , Kazuyoshi Miyamoto-Ohno , Yuta Ito , Yoshinao Z. Hosaka , Hiromi Ueda and Kazushige Takehana
Laboratory of Microanatomy, Department of Bioscience, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu 069-8501, Japan.

ABSTRACT

In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of isoprothiolane in preventing fatty liver in dairy cows. Eight pregnant Holstein cows with high body condition scores were studied. Four cows were administered isoprothiolane via feed at 10 g/day/head from 21 days before delivery (treated group), while the remaining four cows received no treatment (non-treated group). Liver samples from both groups were obtained 21 days before delivery and 2 days following delivery. No accumulation of lipid droplets in hepatocytes was observed in any cows prior to delivery. Following delivery, the accumulation of lipid droplets in hepatocytes was significantly reduced in the treated group compared to the non-treated group. The number of mitochondria per unit area was also significantly smaller in the treated group than in the non-treated group. Blood and biochemical test results from cows in the treated group showed an increase in mGOT levels and stable intrahepatic ATP production. These results suggest that isoprothiolane treatment intensified beta-oxidation in liver mitochondria, thereby activating the TCA cycle and maintaining intrahepatic ATP production.

Keywords:

Fatty liver, isoprothiolane, beta-oxidation.