The effect of season on the composition of the blood of lactating and non-lactating cows as revealed from repeated metabolic profile tests on 24 dairy herds

Abstract

SUMMARYBlood samples were taken from groups of lactating and non-lactating cows on three occasions from each of 24 commercial dairy herds sampled eight herds at a time at 6-weekly intervals throughout 1972. The blood samples were analysed for packed cell volume, blood glucose and haemoglobin, and for the serum concentrations of albumin, total protein, urea nitrogen, Ca, inorganic phosphate, Mg, K, Na, Cu, and Fe.Clear seasonal patterns were evident for packed cell volume and the mean concentrations of urea nitrogen and haemoglobin each of which were highest during the summer months. The effect of season on the concentrations of the other constituents was smaller. Mean values of packed cell volume, haemoglobin and Fe were consistently higher in the non-lactating cows than in the lactating cows. Mean concentrations of Mg were lower in the blood of non-lactating cows throughout the year; Cu concentrations followed a similar trend in the autumn and winter.There was evidence of overall herd differences regardless of season, in particular for Cu, globulin, Fe and urea nitrogen concentrations.

Insulated, uninsulated and outdoor housing for replacement beef heifers on restricted grass silage-based diet in a cold environment

“…The reason for this is difficult to explain. Some previous studies of the seasonal effects on Hb in cattle are somewhat contradictory (Rowlands et al, 1974;Fisher et al, 1980).…”

Blood Levels of Leukocytes, Glucose, Urea, Creatinine, Calcium, Inorganic Phosphorus and Magnesium in Dairy Heifers from Three Months of Age to Calving

“…The variations in the concentrations of the other constituents were small and may reflect carefully controlled conditions of feeding, housing, blood sampling and analytical procedures throughout. I n earlier investigations significant differences have been found in the levels of various blood constituents between years and seasons (e. g. ROWLANDS et al, 1974;SHAFFER et al, 1981) but these have compared animals grazing during the summer and fed indoors during the winter. Such seasonal differences have been found not to be consistent from year to year (HEWETT, 1974).…”

Changes in albumin, globulin, glucose and cholesterol concentrations in the blood of dairy cows in late pregnancy and early lactation and relationships with subsequent fertility

“…during the period 17 November 1975-12 April 1976. They were analysed for packed cell volume, blood glucose, serum albumin and total protein as described by Rowlands et al (1974), cholesterol by the automated enzymatic CHOD-PAP method (Boehringer Mannheim GmbH catalogue no. 148393), and glutamate-dehydrogenase (GDH), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and ornithine-carbamyl-transferase (OCT) as described by Treacher & Collis (1977).…”

“…148393), and glutamate-dehydrogenase (GDH), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and ornithine-carbamyl-transferase (OCT) as described by Treacher & Collis (1977). In addition to the HABA (hydroxyazobenzene benzoic acid) dye-binding method (Rowlands et al 1974), the samples were also analysed for albumin concentration using a single radial diffusion assay (Mancini, Carbonara & Heremans, 1965). Globulin concentrations were determined as the difference between total protein and albumin (HABA) concentrations, and glucose concentrations were corrected for variations in packed cell volume (Rowlands et al 1974).…”