EN
Examinations were caried out on eight cows. The animals were divided into two equal groups. In the first group of cows alimentary ketosis was induced by the administration of buteric acid to the rumen. The animals were given buteric acid since the 8th month of pregnancy and for two weeks after delivery. The second group served as control cows. Blood samples were taken from cows and calves to evaluate the level of ketose bodies, total lipids and cholesterol. The presence of a partial placental barrier for Acoc and beta-HM was found. An increased ketosis caused a significant lowering of total serum lipids in cows and their calves. The calves born were weak and of lower body weights. In this group of calves two animals died with signs of diarrhoea. Histopathological examinations revealed parenchymal degeneration of hepatocytes and some changes in the kidney cells.