Biomarkörer för detection av våmacidos hos mjölkkor (SARA) och utveckling av nya diagnosmetoder

The Swedish dairy industry has made significant improvements in welfare, feeding, disease control and management. However, diagnosis and prevention of a very common metabolic disorder, subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), remains a challenge. Even in well-managed dairy herds 11 to 26% of SARA cases are suspected in cows in the early to mid-lactation period, resulting in significant economic losses and poor welfare. Being subclinical, SARA lacks clear symptoms, and is therefore difficult to diagnose with existing methods and markers. We propose to fill this gap by identifying metabolites in bio-fluids associated with the onset and progression of SARA using state-of-the-art metabolomics techniques and developing a novel paper-based test for early detection. The development of tests for early detection of SARA could facilitate timely intervention and prevent clinical welfare implications.

The Swedish dairy industry has made significant improvements in animal welfare, feeding, disease control and herd management. However, diagnosis and prevention of a very common metabolic disorder, subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), remains a challenge. Even in well-managed dairy herds, 11 to 26% of SARA cases are suspected in cows in early to mid-lactation period, resulting in significant direct and indirect economic losses, and leading to suffering in domesticated cows. SARA lacks clear symptoms, and is difficult to diagnose with existing methods. We propose to fill this gap by identifying metabolites in bio-fluids associated with the onset and progression of SARA using state-of-the-art metabolomics techniques and developing a novel paper-based test for early detection. Our goal is to provide a novel detection method for SARA, support cattle welfare, make the dairy production more sustainable and efficient and promote climate-friendly production through optimal feed conversion.