Physiological changes in the concentrations of biotin in the serum and milk and in the physical properties of the claw horn in Holstein cows.

Physiological changes in the concentrations of biotin in the serum and milk and in the physical properties of the claw horn were examined in Holstein cows. A lower concentration of biotin in the serum and a higher concentration of biotin in milk were found during early and late lactation and during the dry period, and a significant (p<0.05) inverse correlation was found between serum and milk biotin concentrations. A high moisture content and a low level of hardness of the claw horn were found during mid-lactation. Our results indicate that change in the serum biotin concentration probably results from the loss of biotin in the milk of cows during each stage of lactation and also confirm that the moisture content and hardness of the claw horn undergo physiological changes.