Volume 53 (2003) Issue: 2003 No#5-6

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE HEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS BETWEEN CLINICALLY HEALTHY COWS AND COWS WITH DISPLACEMENT OF THE ABOMASUM

Author(s): Zadnik T

Keywords:dairy cows, hemato-biochemical parameters, abomasal displacement, periparturient period

The objective of this study was to evaluate hemato-biochemical parameters in cows with left- and right- sided displacement of the abomasum. Comparison of a group of cows with displacement of the abomasum (n=73) and a control group of cows (n=43) of the same breed, age, physiological period and management showed statistically significant (p<0.05) deviations of the following hematological and biochemical parameters: increased hematocrit (Ht), white blood cell count (WBCC), neutrophils, total bilirubin (Bil-T), glucose,
-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), serum enzymatic activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), -glutamyl transferase (GGT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), together with decreased calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), potassium (K) and chloride (Cl) concentration. Blood analyses in cows with displacement of the abomasum clearly indicated association of the disease with postpartum disease syndromes such as hypocalcaemia, hepatic lipidosis and endotoxemia. Thus, hemoconcentration, leukocytosis with neutrophilia, hypocalcaemia, lipemia, ketonemia, hyperglycemia, slight hypernatremia, hypokalemia, hypochloremia and increased activity of liver enzymes (AST, GGT, GLDH) in blood serum were observed in these cows in comparison to the control group. All established irregularities cause complicated pathophysiological metabolic reactions, which are often clinically manifested as displacement of the abomasum during the periparturient period.