Fig. 2

Levels of ANGPTL4, FGF21, NEFA and BHBA were analyzed in the serum of healthy control cows (n = 30) and those affected by clinical ketosis (n = 29) and fatty liver (n = 25). In the serum, concentrations of NEFA (a), ANGPTL4 (b), FGF21 (c) and BHBA (d) were higher in the cows with fatty liver and clinical ketosis than in the healthy control cows. Results are presented as means ± SE and were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 when compared to the healthy control cows. The comparisons between cows with clinical ketosis and fatty liver were analyzed by unpaired t-test. No significant differences in the serum concentrations of NEFA, ANGPTL4 and FGF21 were measured between cows with clinical ketosis and fatty liver (P > 0.05). As the basis of ketosis diagnosis, the serum BHBA levels were higher (P < 0.05) in the cows with clinical ketosis (2.45 ± 0.71) than in the cows with fatty liver (1.01 ± 0.15)