PLASMA-PROTEIN SYNTHESIS AND SERUM AMINO-ACIDS IN DRY AND LACTATING DAIRY-COWS

Blood serum concentrations of protein, albumin, prealbumin, transferri n, amino acids and urea were measured in 31 healthy cows 0 to 6 weeks before and 3 to 8 weeks after parturition. In comparison to the precal ving values the concentrations of albumin, prealbumin and transferrin were all lower after parturition. Alanine, glutamine, leucine, methion ine, serine, and urea concentrations were also lower after calving. Mu ltiple correlation analysis between plasma protein and amino acid conc entrations reveals that the synthesis of ''port proteins in liver may be reduced due to limitation in amino acid availability.