title: Metabolic blood profile of beef heifers during oestrous and non-oestrous states.
abstract: Haematological metabolic profiles in heifers could contribute to the development of proxies for oestrous detection and provide clues to further characterize biological changes during oestrus. One hundred and seven beef heifers were observed for oestrous behaviour twice daily for 124 days. Feed intake and productive performance (body weight and composition) traits were measured, and feed efficiency was determined using residual feed intake (kg DM/day). Blood plasma samples were collected when signs of oestrus were observed and every 30 ± 2 days. Heifers were considered in oestrus (n = 71) when plasma progesterone concentrations were <0.6 ng/ml. Least square means of blood metabolic parameters were compared between oestrous and non-oestrous states and within oestrous groups according to performance traits and age. Heifers in oestrus exhibited higher concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), beta-hydroxybutyric acid, creatine kinase (CK) and triiodothyronine (T3) than heifers in non-oestrus. Heifers in oestrus revealed lower osmolality and concentrations of calcium, sodium and total protein than during non-oestrus. Younger (and smaller) heifers had greater concentrations of CK, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glucose and sodium than the older heifers. Heifers with lower fatness had increased osmolality and concentrations of cholesterol, CK, phosphorus, sodium and reduced T3 levels. Feed efficient heifers had greater levels of AST, cholesterol and GGT than inefficient heifers. Blood plasma parameters may be complementary to oestrous detection upon further validation; effects of age, feed efficiency, body size and body composition should be considered to optimize this haematological assessment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada. ellencrane26@gmail.com.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Munro
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Bourgon
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, Charlottetown, PE, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diel de Amorim
authors.affiliation: Beef Improvement Opportunities, Elora, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Fredeen
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada. yuri.r.montanholi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Y R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Montanholi
mesh_terms: D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / Q000097:blood; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000375:Aging; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D004971:Estrus / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014284:Triiodothyronine; D011374:Progesterone; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid