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This study examined metabolic profiles of 1349 Holstein cows from 91 commercial herds. Thirteen parameters which are consisted of twelve blood components and body condition score were examined and their mean values. standard deviations and standard limits, which are 80% confidential limits, in each lactational stage were reported. The variations of each parameter affected by season, individual milk yield, adjusted corrected milk yield of herd. and lactation number were also reported. A model of metabolic profile test applicable to this country where the average number of cows in a herd is small as to be fifteen is designed. Metabolic profiles as reflected in each parameter were discussed in relation to adequacy of dietary intake for production, milk production, reproductive performance, and diseases, and the possible measure to improve productivity of dairy cows were proposed. Much of the variation in parameters was due to differences between herds, and less to differences between seasons, differences between individual milk yield, and differences between lactational stages. As the average herd size in this country is small, it is believed that all the cows in a herd must be sampled, and the individual result of each parameter was compared with the standard limit for each lactational stage, and the percentage of cows which are outside the standard limits in a herd was calculated to use as a criteria for evaluation of the herd. Data outside the 99% confidential limits were to be deleted at first, but when the trends of the data outside the 99% confidential limits are same as the trends of the data within 99% confidential limits, the deleted data must be reviewed again, otherwise some important informations would be missed. The mean concentration of blood urea nitrogen in this study was much higher than that was reported in England, U.S.A. and Japan, and it was similar to the upper limits reported in England, U.S.A. and Japan. So it was thought that the concentration of blood urea nitrogen is improper as a criteria for protein intake. The increase of serum total protein cocentration beyond standard limits was due to increase of serum globulin concentration in most of the cows. The correlation coefficient between serum and protein and serum globulin concentration was 0.83. Serum globulin concentration was negatively related to adjusted corrected milk of herd. Serum albumin, calcium and magnessium concentrations were negatively related to adjusted corrected milk of herd, which indicate that high-producing individual or high-producing herd have not taken sufficient protein/amino acids, calcium and magnessium. Packed cell volume was negatively related to adjusted corrected milk of the herd, and the trend was same In each lactational stage. The correlation coefficient between serum and packed cell volume was 0.16 and the correlation was very weak. Blood glucose concentration was lowest in early lactational stage, which indicates negative energy balance in early lactational stage. Blood glucose concentration was negatively related to adjusted corrected milk of herd from peak to late lactational stage, which indicates negative energy balance during the period in high-producing individuals or high-producing herds. Correlation coefficient between serum aspartate aminotransferase activity and serum γ-glutamyltransferase activity was 0.41, and this indicates that serum γ-glutamyltransferase should be included as a parameter of metabolic profile test to evaluate liver function. Body condition score of dairy cows in this country was lower than that of Japan in every lactational stages, and the magnitude of increase in body condition score during middle and late lactational stages was small. Metabolic profile can not be evaluated with solely nutritional intake. When an individual or large percentage of cows in a herd have adnormal values In parameters of metabolic profile test, veterinary clinician and nutritionist should cooperate so as to diagnose diseases and to calculate the e of no ents simultaneously.
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