Comparative blood haemato-biochemical variations in Indian Zebu cattle breeds during early summer

Abstract

Haematological and blood chemistry profile plays an important role in breed-specific performance of the animals and it varies significantly between different cattle breeds. The present study was undertaken to compare haematological and blood chemistry profile of apparently healthy cattle breeds of India namely Gir, Kangayam, Ongole, Tharparkar, Rathi, Deoni and Sahiwal during early summer. There was significant variation in all the haematological indices except total leukocyte count (TLC) and basophils. Among the blood chemistry parameters, total protein, globulin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and calcium varied significantly between breeds whereas variation in albumin and phosphorus concentrations was non-significant. Globulin content was very high in Rathi breed and it correlated positively with TLC. Creatinine concentration was high in milch breeds (Gir and Sahiwal) with the exception of Deoni, followed by draught breeds (Kangayam) and dual-purpose breeds (Ongole, Rathi and Tharparkar).