Assessment of changes in complete blood count and serum chemistry in fed Holstein steers with or without liver abscesses

Abstract

Objective: This research compared whole blood and serum analyses from cattle with and without liver abscesses to quantify differences associated with the presence and severity of liver abscesses in fed beef steers. Materials and Methods: Blood samples for complete blood count and sera were collected from fed Holsteins (n = 153; 51 samples from cattle with no, minor, and major abscesses) approximately 30 s after exsanguination; liver abscesses were visually assessed after evisceration. Data were analyzed using mixed model ANOVA and logistic regression procedures; carcass was the experimental unit. Results and Discussion: Of the complete-blood-count variables analyzed, platelet counts were increased (P = 0.02) and hemoglobin and hematocrit values (P < 0.01) were decreased in carcasses with major abscesses (214 × 103/μL, 12.9 g/dL, 41.0%, respectively) compared with carcasses without abscesses (137 × 103/μL, 13.8 g/dL, 43.4%, respectively). Serum analysis indicated that carcasses with major abscesses had increased (P < 0.01) globulin (5.8 vs. 5.2 g/dL) concomitant with decreased (P ≤ 0.03) sodium (141 vs. 142 mmol/L), albumin (2.8 vs. 3.0 g/dL), alanine aminotransferase (19 vs. 21 U/L), and aspartate aminotransferase (89 vs. 97 U/L) when compared with carcasses with no liver abscess. Implications and Applications: These results indicate that cattle with major liver abscesses undergo physiologic differentiation, which can be detected in whole blood and serum. This baseline research improves our understanding of the systemic influences of liver abscesses. Identifying blood parameter outcomes associated with liver abscesses antemortem may allow future useful implications for cattle welfare and feedlot management.