Influence of peripartum on the erythrogram of Holstein dairy cows

Authors

  • Renan B Paiano University of São Paulo
  • Daniela B Birgel University of São Paulo
  • Eduardo H Birgel Junior University of São Paulo

Abstract

Background: Peripartum is a challenging phase for the health of cows. Objectives: This study analysed the haematological profile of Holstein cows during peripartum. Method: Blood samples were collected on days 18, 12, 8, 5 and 2 before calving, at parturition, and on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 postpartum. Analyses of red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and RBC distribution width were performed; body condition score (BCS) and milk yield were evaluated. Results: Red blood cell (the highest value was 6.10 × 1012/L at parturition and the lowest recorded value was 5.03 × 1012/L 21 days after parturition), haemoglobin and haematocrit (the highest values were 10.48 g/dL and 33.47% at parturition, respectively and the lowest values were 8.28 g/dL and 26.13% on day 30 after parturition, respectively); BCS (the highest and the lowest values were 3.50 points and 2.73 points on days 18 before parturition and 45 after parturition, respectively) and milk production (the lowest and the highest values were 21.48 L
and 27.02 L on days 7 and 45 after parturition, respectively) were significantly different (p < 0.05) during the peripartum period. Of the total cows (n = 48), 41.7% had RBC, haemoglobin and haematocrit below the reference intervals during at least one collection point during the postpartum period. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that dairy cows included in this investigation suffered
alterations in select haematological variables during the postpartum period. Keywords: haematology; body condition score; milk production; lactating Holstein dairy cows; veterinary.

Author Biographies

  • Renan B Paiano, University of São Paulo

    Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University
    of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

  • Daniela B Birgel, University of São Paulo

    Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

  • Eduardo H Birgel Junior, University of São Paulo

    Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

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Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Section

Original Research