Haematological indicators affected by the subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy cows

Abstract

In the period covering between March 2010 and March 2011 a study was launched to examine closely the impact that the Subacute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA) upon the haematological indicators of dairy cows notable for high yields. In a total of 60 cows split into 3 groups (2 experimental groups and 1 control group) researchers followed closely the progress of ruminal pH for 3 months ensuing the calving period. The study was supposed to keep account of the haematological indicators as well. Based on the blood samples collected we succeeded in determining through the standard methods the haematological profile indicators for total White Blood Cells (WBC), Red Blood Cells (RBC), Haemoglobin (HB), Haematocrit (HCT), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), CorpuscularHaemoglobin(MCH), ratio of Red blood cells to white blood cells (RDV) and Total Blood Platelets (BPLT). By virtue of the blood testing we managed to establish the neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils indicators. The data obtained upon statistical processing revealed that the presence of SARA in cows produces deviations from the norm of several haematological indicators. The biggest impact of all appears to be in the case of total amount of White Cells (WBC) in Haematocrite (HCT), the number of leukocytes, lymphocytes and basophils (p<0.05). Based on the results obtained researchers are inclined to believe that these changes in the haematologic indicators can be exploited to control the rumen function in cattle. © Medwell Journals, 2012.