STUDY OF MINERAL AND METABOLIC PROFILES IN CATTLE AFFECTED BY POST-PARTURIENT HEMOGLOBINURIA

Abstract

One of the key metabolic disorders in dairy cows, particularly within the first weeks after calving, is post-parturient hemoglobinuria (PPH). It causes severe implications on both the animal welfare and farm economics.  They compared the hematological, mineral, metabolic, hepatic, and oxidative parameters of cows with PPH (n=30) to healthy controls (n=30).  Hematological analysis showed that the anemia was severe in PPH cows, with lower red blood cell count (5.34 +/- 0.57 x 10 6 /mL), hemoglobin (7.2 +/- 1.1 g/dl), and hematocrit (21.5 +/- 3.4%) compared with controls (p < 0.001).  Serum mineral analysis revealed very low phosphorus concentrations (3.1 +/ - 0.5 mg/dL) and reduced concentrations of copper, selenium, iron, and zinc (p < 0.001).  Metabolic assessments showed a positive state of non-esterified fatty acids (0.74 +/- 0.09 mmol/L) and B-hydroxybutyrate (1.8 +/- 0.3 mmol/L), which indicated a negative energy balance, and a significant decrease in the level of glucose.  Liver function tests indicated that the levels of AST, ALT, and GGT increased significantly (p < 0.001), and this fact indicates that the liver worked under significant stress.  The analysis of oxidative stress revealed that there was high malondialdehyde (3.9 +/- 0.6 nmoI/mL) and low total antioxidant capacity (0.8 +/- 0.2 mmol/L). This is an indication that oxidative damage was extensive.  There was a correlation study conducted that revealed a high negative correlation between phosphorus and oxidative stress indicators (r = -0.72, p < 0.001).  Phosphorus, copper, selenium, and malondialdehyde were identified as important predictors of the risk of PPH by logistic regression.  The above findings highlight the multifaceted nature of PPH pathophysiology, emphasizing the role of mineral deficiencies, metabolic disturbance, and oxidative stress.  Positive nutrition intervention to correct such imbalances at the early stages and monitor their progress could serve as preventive and curative mechanisms of PPH in dairy cattle.