Energy balance

• Glucose: Direct indicator of energy availability.

• NEFA (non-esterified fatty acids) and β-Hydroxybutyrate: Indicate fat mobilization, useful for detecting ketosis.

• Cholesterol: Linked to nutritional status and liver function.

Protein balance

• Total proteins and Albumin: Reflect nutritional and liver status.

• Urea: Associated with protein metabolism and nitrogen-rich diets.

Liver function

• AST, ALT, and GGT: Enzymes that help identify liver damage or metabolic stress.

Mineral balance

• Calcium, Phosphorus, and Magnesium: Essential for neuromuscular, bone, and reproductive functions.

Immune system

• While not always measured directly, immune status can be inferred from some of the above parameters and the clinical context.

Conclusion

Measuring the metabolic profile not only helps detect issues before clinical signs appear but also enables more effective nutritional and management adjustments. It is an invaluable tool for improving animal welfare and farm profitability.

Would you like to learn more about how to implement this analysis on your farm or in your lab?

At BioSystems, we develop efficient analytical solutions for veterinary diagnostics. We're here to help!