Reference limits for biochemical and hematological analytes of dairy cows one week before and one week after parturition.
Since dairy cows during the transition period have multiple endocrine and metabolic changes, it is necessary to determine the reference limits of laboratory analytes in normal transition cows. Reference limits for the weeks before and after calving were determined in dairy cows. Animals that had adverse clinical outcomes after calving and cows that were culled or had mastitis within the first 7 days after calving were excluded. All biochemical analytes (beta-hydroxybutyrate, fatty acids, glucose, cholesterol, urea, calcium, and phosphorus) were statistically different between precalving and postcalving groups. The hematological analytes were not significantly different except for eosinophils. The data from precalving and postcalving cows were significantly different from reference limits in a university-associated laboratory derived from early- and mid-lactation cows. Different reference limits for precalving and postcalving dairy cows should be determined for biochemical analytes to ensure appropriate interpretation of results.
Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada. gfquiroz@servidor.unam.mx
Gerardo F
GF
Quiroz-Rocha
Stephen J
SJ
LeBlanc
Todd F
TF
Duffield
Darren
D
Wood
Ken E
KE
Leslie
Robert M
RM
Jacobs
D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary*; D007774:Lactation / Q000097:blood*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D010758:Phosphorus; D014508:Urea; D002784:Cholesterol; D002118:Calcium; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid