For years, blood parameters have been used as a tool for evaluating animal welfare on farms, appearing to be closely connected to physiological status in dairy cows, calves and piglets. The aim of this work was to evaluate blood parameters in 54 Fresian dairy cows, highlighting their welfare conditions. Samples were collected four times (summer 2001, autumn 2001, winter 2001/2002 and spring 2002). Results were discussed regarding the main physiological phases (dry period, transition, fresh lactating, mid-lactating and late lactating periods). These periods significantly influenced AST (p<0.05), urea (p<0.001), glucose (p<0.05), total protein (p<0.05), creatinine (p<0.001), cholesterol (p<0.001), triglycerides (p<0.001) and white blood cells (p<0.05) concentrations. AST (64.2% of samples), cholesterol (84.7%), triglycerides (80.6%), NEFA (44.9%), albumin (69.4%) and packed cell volume (78.6%) were the most altered blood parameters. In this context, many values were not included in the physiological range, even if no drop in production was noticed. Our results could give primary indications for the state of dairy cows welfare, indicating targeted parameters (AST, cholesterol, triglycerides, NEFA, albumin, packed cell volume and neutrophil/lymphocytes ratio) and critical phases (transition and early lactation periods) to simplify animal control and implement appropriate corrective measures aimed at improving living conditions on farms.
PARAMETRI EMATICI COME POSSIBILI INDICATORI DI BENESSERE IN BOVINE DA LATTE
GIULIOTTI, LORELLA;BENVENUTI, MARIA NOVELLA;
2004-01-01
Abstract
For years, blood parameters have been used as a tool for evaluating animal welfare on farms, appearing to be closely connected to physiological status in dairy cows, calves and piglets. The aim of this work was to evaluate blood parameters in 54 Fresian dairy cows, highlighting their welfare conditions. Samples were collected four times (summer 2001, autumn 2001, winter 2001/2002 and spring 2002). Results were discussed regarding the main physiological phases (dry period, transition, fresh lactating, mid-lactating and late lactating periods). These periods significantly influenced AST (p<0.05), urea (p<0.001), glucose (p<0.05), total protein (p<0.05), creatinine (p<0.001), cholesterol (p<0.001), triglycerides (p<0.001) and white blood cells (p<0.05) concentrations. AST (64.2% of samples), cholesterol (84.7%), triglycerides (80.6%), NEFA (44.9%), albumin (69.4%) and packed cell volume (78.6%) were the most altered blood parameters. In this context, many values were not included in the physiological range, even if no drop in production was noticed. Our results could give primary indications for the state of dairy cows welfare, indicating targeted parameters (AST, cholesterol, triglycerides, NEFA, albumin, packed cell volume and neutrophil/lymphocytes ratio) and critical phases (transition and early lactation periods) to simplify animal control and implement appropriate corrective measures aimed at improving living conditions on farms.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
