The effect of sex of the calf on haematological and biochemical variables and blood mineral concentrations in pregnant cows nursing or not nursing calves at pasture

摘要

The study involved measurements of blood components on 46 pregnant COWS when the animals were group housed and thereafter when they were at Pasture. Blood samples (V jugularis) were analysed for haemoglobin content (Hb), haematocrite (Hk), blood serum for total protein and albumin and plasma for creatinine, urea, Ca, Mg, Pa and iron concentration. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was calculated from Hb and Hk. The results were analysed using breed and herd (herd 1: cows not nursing and herd 2: cows nursing a calf) and se v of calf as factors and pregnancy clays as covariate. Accumulated body weight was significantly influenced by pregnancy clays and was significantly greater in non lactating cows comparing lactating cows especially in those of DSB breed. A significant effect of herd was found for blood urea, total protein, minerals, Hb and Hk, and a significant effect of breed for creatinine, blood urea, total protein, albumin, Mg, Pa, the quotient Ca/Pa, plasma iron, Hb, Hk, MCHC. Sex of calf significantly affected total protein, albumin, Mg, plasma iron, Hb, Hk and MCHC. Pregnancy days were found to influence the variables significantly except Pa, the quotient Ca/Pa and Hb.