Fatty Liver Syndrome

In the ruminant, approximately 90 percent of fatsynthesis occurs in the adipose tissue with very littleoccurring in the liver. Any condition that places thecow in negative energy balance and results inexcessive fat mobilization leads to increased amountsof free fatty acids in the blood. When fatty acidsincrease in the blood, the liver increases its uptake offree fatty acids. Since a ruminants liver has only alimited ability to handle fat synthesis, lipid depositionand accumulation occurs in the liver, hencefatty liver syndrome.

The symptoms of Fatty liver syndrome are similar to ketosis - depressedappetite, Dullness, and general weakness.Fatty liver syndrome often is associated with otherproblems at calving, including off-feed cases, ketosis,mastitis, retained placenta, and displaced abomasum. The animals with Fatty liver syndrome sometimes die due to liver damageand other complications.