Ketone bodies – causes and effects of their increased presence in cows' body fluids: A review

, metritis, and displaced abomasum), and poor reproductive performance. One of the ketosis characteristic effects is an increase in the level of fat in milk (>5%), while protein levels decrease (<2.9%). In the case of subclinical ketosis (SCK), the fat-protein ratio in milk is increased to above 1.4:1. The current consensus for SCK is to consider a cutoff point of βHBA to be at least 1.2 mmol/L in blood plasma. Ketosis prevention is based on keeping perinatal cows in good condition, that is, with around 3.5 points in the five-point body condition scoring, carefully balancing food doses during the first 2 months of lactation with the correct energy-protein ratio. Glucose precursor products should be administered orally, in particular to at-risk herds. Ketosis occurs in 7-14% on average of the total number of cows in a herd. In general, data on the prevalence of SCK vary considerably, depending on their source. Moreover, the problem is mostly observed in poorly-fed animals with high milk production potential. The objectives of this review are to reveal the current situation of ketosis prevalence, the possibility of diagnosis, consequences in dairy cows and to provide some recommendations for ketosis treatment and prevention.