Effect of Lactation on Haematological and Metabolic Profile in Zobawng Cattle

Abstract

Background: Zobawng is a local non-descript cattle of Mizoram, a hilly state of North-east India.Current study was carried out to investigate the haemato-biochemical profile of Zobawng cattle with the purpose of analyzing the physiological variations under the influence of different lactation stages in terms of determining possible biomarkers to monitor the energy balance and the metabolic adequacy during lactation. Methods: Eighteen clinically healthy lactating Zobawng cattle were categorized into three groups based on the length of their lactation: group-I (early stage), group-II (mid stage) and group-III (late stage). Haematological analysis was carried by automated blood analyzer (Melet Schlosing4e, France); whereas, metabolic parameters were evaluated by using automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Fuji Dry Chem 4000i, Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan) Result: Haematological parameters varied non-significantly amongst the three groups of animals. The value of packed cell volume (PCV), RBC count and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration were found to be lowest during early stage of lactation. Other parameters viz. total leucocyte count (TLC), differential leucocyte count (DLC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and platelet count were within the normal limits. Similarly, metabolic parameters also differed apparently, but the differences were statistically non significant amongst the groups. The glucose level was recorded to be the lowest in the early stage of lactation; whereas, protein and creatinine concentrations were slightly higher in this stage. No significant alteration in the concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was noticed amongst the three groups of cattle. Data generated during the study may be useful as reference values for the scientific community as this is the first study of its kind in Zobawng cattle.