Research Article

HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND ACID-BASE BALANCE IN BLOOD OF CALVES DEPENDING ON AN IRON LEVEL IN THE FIRST WEEK OF THEIR LIFE

Robert Kupczyński, Maciej Adamski, Adam Roman

Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy we Wrocławiu

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 7(3-4), 2008, 61‒70

Abstract. The aim of the study was an assessment of hematological parameters and acid-base balance in blood of calves depending on an iron level in the first week of their life. Parameters of iron balance, hematological parameters and acid-base balance were determined in 20 calves in 7th, 14th and 21st day of life. Calves were divided into 2 groups depending on the level of iron in blood at 7th day of life: group I (<15 µmol.l-1), group II (>15 µmol.l-1). Observed in the present study content of Fe in calves from group I was on a level of 10.39 µmol.l-1. The increase in iron level and transferin saturation with an iron, and a decrease in TIBC and UIBC were observed with the age of calves. Without an additional supplementation (milk replacer, concentrate, hay) level of iron on blood of calves of both groups significantly (p ≤ 0.01) increased in a period of 2 weeks. Differences in level of hematological parameters were not confirmed statistically. A significant (p ≤ 0.01) correlation was observed between pH of blood and a percentage value of transferin saturation with iron, and HCO3−/pCO2 ratio.

Keywords: acid-base balance, calves, hematological parameters of blood, iron