Comparative evaluation of fatty infiltration of the liver in dairy cattle by using blood and serum analysis, ultrasonography, and digital analysis.

Blood samples were collected from 158 Holstein-Friesian cows and analysed for aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and ornithine carabamoyltransferase activities and glucose, total bilirubin, triglyceride, cholesterol-ester and non-esterified fatty acids concentrations. Ultrasonography of the liver was performed, and hepatic ultrasonograms were evaluated subjectively or analysed digitally, and liver samples were examined histopathologically. The diagnostic rates for the different tests were compared. Of the 158 animals, 117 had a normal liver and 41 had fatty infiltration of the liver. For diagnosis of fatty infiltration, digital analysis had the highest sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values, followed by ultrasonography.