STATISTICAL-ANALYSIS OF METABOLIC PROFILE S OF BLOOD AND SALIVA SAMPLES USED AS A TOOL FOR HERD DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

Statistical analysis of 3441 samples for determination of metabolic pr ofiles of 413 herds has been performed. The influences of major factor s like average annual production per cow herd size, season, predominan t type of soil and stage of lactation on metabolic parameters are eval uated. Furthermore, the relationship between the occurrence of certain herd health disorders and changes in the metabolic parameters as well as the comparison of metabolic profiles of herds with and without her d fertility disorders are established. The most significant results ar e: 1. The predominant type of soil of the dairy farms, the season, the average annual milk production per cow, the herd size and the stage o f lactation influenced the results of determination of phosphorus, ure a nitrogen, glucose, bilirubin, aspartat-amino-transferase (AST), glut amat-dehydrogenase (GLDH) in serum and sodium and potassium in saliva. 2. The predominant type of soil, the season, the average annual milk production per cow and the herd size effected the occurrence of single herd health disorders. 3. The multiple occurrence of some herd health disorders is related to deviating single serum parameters, even under considering several influencing factors. 4. The serum levels of gluco se, AST and GLDH are significantly higher in daily herds with fertilit y disorders than in herds without those problems. Considering the infl uences of the day of lactation, the type of soil, the herd size and th e season there are differences between the two groups for glucose only . Metabolic profile tests can be used as a tool for herd diagnostic pr ocedures, especially for those concerning the liver health. The evalua tion should consider management data, feeding conditions, records of m ilk production and results of physical examinations. Using metabolic p rofile tests as a regular surveillance tool within the economic limits of production medicine seems questionable. According to the results o f this examination it seems inadequate to get information for early re cognition of metabolic deficiencies in a cost-effective way by using t hese tests.