Hematological and iron-related parameters in a dual-purpose local cattle breed compared to the specialized Italian Friesian breed during transition and lactation periods

Abstract

Cattle genetic selection has resulted in cows more predisposed to physiological diseases and immunological disorders. The aim of this study was to compare hematological and iron-related parameters during transition and lactation between the dual-purpose local cattle breed Modenese (MO) and the Italian Friesian (IF), housed together under identical conditions of feeding and management. Blood samples from 25 pluriparous lactating cows, 11 MO and 14 IF, were collected at different physiological status: ante-partum (a.p.), early post-partum (p.p.), and lactation. Significant differences were observed during all three periods between MO and IF cows for mean corpuscular volume (MCV), platelets (PLT), and mean platelet volume (MPV). In the a.p. period, a breed effect was observed for neutrophil (NEU) count, monocyte (MON) percent, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC); on the contrary, a trend (p < 0.10) was observed for white blood cell (WBC) count, NEU to lymphocyte (LYM) ratio, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). During the early p.p., count and percent of both NEU and MON, so as MCHC, were significantly different between breeds. During lactation, differences were observed only for basophil (BAS) count and percent, hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), and platelet distribution width (PDW). Overall, MO cows showed lower impairment of the immune and innate host resistance mechanisms than IF cows during transition, confirming the importance of genetic background (breed) for hematological parameters. These results could be considered to improve the interest in the conservation of animal genetic resources and for the valorization of local cattle breeds.