Dynamics of red and white blood picture in dairy cows during the periparturient period

Abstract

In veterinary medicine, haematological examinations present an effective tool in monitoring the health and nutritional status of animals. We investigated the haemogram during the periparturient period in Black and White dairy cows. Blood samples were taken from 60 cows 10 days before parturition, at parturition and on days 1, 2, 3 and 4 after parturition. Statistical results revealed that the values of the haemogram taken at the time of parturition were the most pronounced. The most significant erythrocyte parameter values were obtained from samples taken on the day of parturition. Mean erythrocyte (RBC) count was 6.70±0.65× 1012/l, which was significantly higher (p=0.014) compared to the mean RBC counts in the samples taken 4 days after parturition (6.30±0.64×1012/l) and 10 days before parturition (6.46±0.60×1012/l). Significantly (p<0.0001) the highest mean haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were found in the samples taken on the day of parturition (121.77±9.03 g/l), they then gradually decreased and 4 days after parturition reached the lowest mean Hb concentration of 113.68±8.62 g/l. The highest mean packed cell volume (PCV) value (0.38±0.04 l/l) was also recorded in cows at parturition. It was significantly (p=0.0007) higher compared to the mean values obtained at sampling 3 and 4 days after parturition (0.36±0.03 l/l). The highest total leucocyte (WBC) count was recorded at parturition (9.25±3.53×109/l) which was significantly (p<0.001) higher than mean values obtained from day 3 after parturition. At parturition the highest mean absolute value of segmented neutrophils (5020±1304) was also recorded; it was significantly higher (p<0.001) than the values obtained from four samplings performed after parturition. At parturition the lowest mean absolute value of eosinophils (409±379) was recorded; it was significantly lower (p<0.001) in comparison to mean values obtained 10 days before parturition (704±336) and 1 day (611±458) and 2 days (585±386) postparturition. At parturition a statistically significant (p<0.001) lowest mean absolute value of lymphocytes (3409±1116) was found. However, the periparturient period did not significantly affect the basophil counts (p=0.5113), band neutrophils (p=0.7639), monocytes (p=0.0986) and the erythrocyte indices; mean cell volume (MCV) (p=0.5271), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) (p=0.8910) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (p=0.6317).