Hematological and biochemical blood parameters in dairy cows depending on the management system
Journal Title: Animal Science Papers and Reports - Year 2014, Vol 32, Issue 4
Abstract
Monitoring the health of dairy herds is central to the assessment of animal health and welfare. The aim of this study was to analyse hematological and biochemical parameters in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows depending on the management system. Thirty cows from the foundation stock with an average annual yield of 6500-7000 l of milk were selected for the experiment. The cows were characterized by similar yields and were in a similar lactation period (second and third lactation). The cows were divided into three groups of 10 cows each: confined to a barn (control group C), housed in a barn with free access to an outdoor run (O) and maintained on a pasture (P). Blood samples to determine hematological and biochemical parameters were collected from animals on an empty stomach before the onset of the experiment and towards the end of the pasture period. The present study showed a positive effect of pasturing dairy cows on their hematological parameters. In the group of pasture-fed cows, there were also significant (P≤0.05) differences between the results before and at the end of the trial. There was a significant (P≤0.05) increase in total white blood cell count and in basophil and neutrophil percentages. There were also significant (P≤0.05) increases in the concentration of hemoglobin (by 8%) and hematocrit (by 7%). Biochemical analysis showed slightly higher urea concentrations in the group of pastured cows when compared to the other groups. The high content of nitrogen compounds in the pasture forage could have a certain effect on hepatic nitrogen metabolism, which could increase serum concentrations of AST and ALT enzymes in cows from group P.
Authors and Affiliations
Iwona Radkowska, Eugeniusz Herbut
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP70564
- DOI -
- Views 158
- Downloads 0
The impact of heat treatment methods on the physical properties and cooking yield of selected muscles from Limousine breed cattle
The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of heat treatment methods (frying – FR, grilling – GR, roasting – RO 180°C, roasting – RO ΔT) on certain physical properties and the cooking yield of selected muscles of ca...
Metabolism of fatty acids in tissues and organs of the ruminants - a review
Fatty acid metabolism in the rumen is a meaningful, but not the only variation factor of fatty acid profile in milk and meat of the ruminants. Lipids absorbed in the small intestine are transported by lipoproteins to dif...
Polymorphism in troponin T gene (TNNT3) and its effect on gene expression level and production traits in pigs of selected breeds
The aim of the study was to investigate the T2 fragment of TNNT3 gene, identify its polymorphism and evaluate the elation between that polymorphism and TNNT3 expression level and production traits in most common pig bre...
Mitochondrial DNA haplotypes are associated with performance traits in Raccoon dogs
Given the important function fulfilled by mitochondria in cells, the relationship between mitochondrial DNA polymorphism and economically important traits has been investigated for many farm animal species. However, no s...
Changes in proteins and tenderness of meat from young bulls of four breeds at three ages over 10 days of cold storage
The study aimed at analysing the changes taking place in the muscle tissue of cattle during meat cold storage in relation to animal genotype (breed) and age. Investigations were conducted on the thoracic and lumbar par...