Conclusions
It is well known that BA concentrations increase during cholestasis due to damage to bile ducts and leakage of the bile. This is the first study to investigate metabolomic changes in serum following a sporidesmin challenge. Further work to establish the significance of the elevation of individual BAs concentrations in the serum of early-stage sporidesmin-poisoned cows is necessary.
Objective
The objective of this study was to identify individual metabolites or metabolic profiles that could be used as serum markers for early stage FE in lactating cows.
Results
Statistical analysis, both with and without the temporal component, could distinguish the profiles of animals with clinical signs from the others, but not those affected subclinically. An increase in the concentrations of a combination of taurine- and glycine-conjugated secondary bile acids (BAs) was the most likely cause of the separation. This is the first time that MS methods have been applied to FE and that bile acids changes have been detected in cattle exposed to sporidesmin. Conclusions: It is well known that BA concentrations increase during cholestasis due to damage to bile ducts and leakage of the bile. This is the first study to investigate metabolomic changes in serum following a sporidesmin challenge. Further work to establish the significance of the elevation of individual BAs concentrations in the serum of early-stage sporidesmin-poisoned cows is necessary.