The influence of resource and saving technologies on the clinical parameters and morphological status of the blood of first-calf heifers of Holstein breed

Abstract

The data on the clinical and morphological parameters of the blood of first-calf heifers of Holstein breed in the winter and summer periods of the year, which were housed by tie-up housing and free-stall housing (using resource and saving technology) methods have been presented in the article. It has been found that the clinical parameters in the studied groups of animals were within the physiological norm. In the winter period the body temperature and pulse rate of the first-calf heifers with free-stall housing (group 2) was higher than that of their herdmates with tie-up housing (group 1) by 0,2 °C or 0,5 %, and by 0,4 times/min or 0,6 %, respectively. In the summer period there was an increase in the pulse rate and respiration rate in the 2nd group of first-calf heifers by 0,6 times/ min or 0,9 % and 0,7 breaths/min or 2,9 %, respectively. Thus, in the experimental animals the clinical parameters were within the physiological norm, and the first-calf heifers contained in the free-stall housing were superior to the first-calf heifers contained in the tie-up housing method. The first-calf heifers of group 2 had a higher pulse rate and respiratory rate, which indicates higher metabolic processes in their body. The morphological parameters of the blood in the animals were within the physiological norm. However, in winter the content of red blood cells and white blood cells in animals of group 2 was higher than in group 1 herdmates by 0,2×10¹²/, or 3,8 % (P < 0,01) and by 0,4×10⁹/l or 6,1 % (P < 0,001), respectively. In the summer, the content of red blood cells increased in the first-calf heifers of the 1st group by 0,3×10¹²/l or 5,9 %, in the 2nd group by 0,9×10¹²/l or 17,0 % compared with the winter period. The increased content of white blood cells, red blood cells and hemoglobin, both in winter and in summer, indicates a higher metabolism of first-calf heifers housed in the free-stall housing method.