Hematological Changes and Reference Intervals in Hanwoo Calves during the First 28 Weeks of Life

Abstract

Hematological reference intervals must consider several parameters, including genotype, age, sex, management, and analytic process. Work is needed to evaluate hematological changes specifically in Hanwoo calves and according to calf sex. Therefore, in this study, we sought to confirm the complete blood cell count (CBC) reference intervals in Hanwoo calves, to monitor changes in hematologic values in Hanwoo calves from birth until 28 weeks of life, and to compare the hematologic values of male and female calves. A total of 35 male calves and 35 female calves was studied. Calf blood was sampled at multiple intervals from the time of birth until 28 weeks of age (including within 6 h of birth and at 2 days, 7 days, and 4 weeks and then at 4-week intervals through 28 weeks). In addition, blood samples were collected from 210 clinically healthy pregnant Hanwoo cows to establish CBC reference intervals for adult cattle. There were significant differences in the results of the cows and calves in all 14 parameters considered. The CBC reference intervals of the calves were wider than those of the cows in all parameters except mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and mean platelet volume. We also identified differences from birth through 28 weeks between male and female calves at only some ages and some parameters. These results suggest that CBC reference intervals specific to Hanwoo calves are necessary for accurate diagnosis of calf diseases.

Monthly Dynamics of Plasma Elements, Hematology, Oxidative Stress Markers, and Hormonal Concentrations in Growing Male Shiba Goats (Capra hircus) Reared in Tokyo-Japan

“…In our study, the decline in HCT at M4 was associated with the lowest RBC count. Kim et al [ 23 ] attributed the reduction in HCT in calves from 16 weeks of age to the inability of animals to produce RBC at a rate equal to the rate of removal from circulation.…”

“…Along with the study intervals, the lymphocytic percentage was higher than the neutrophils, in contrast to the previous study in calves. Changes in leukocytes are connected with suitable protection systems, due to immune variations in animals [ 23 ].…”

“…Dynamics in hematobiochemical parameters greatly contribute to the performance and health status of small ruminants during the early postnatal and the rapidly growing periods of life [ 19 ]. Copious reports have investigated the hematological and biochemical variables of calves [ 15 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], lambs [ 24 ], and goat’s kids [ 25 ] in comparison with adult animals in the same species or even between species; however, monitoring the longitudinal changes throughout age during the growing period in goats is still limited [ 26 ], and more investigations are required. In addition, reference intervals for laboratory variables are commonly established for adult animals that may be misleading if used to evaluate values from young individuals.…”

Hematological Normality, Serum Biochemistry, and Acute Phase Proteins in Healthy Beef Calves in the Brazilian Savannah

“…Laboratory diagnosis consists of comparing the patient's serum hematological and biochemical values with reference ranges obtained from clinically healthy animals [7,8], there being inherent differences in age, sex, and utility for scientific evaluation, well-being [9], and nutritional assessment [10]. Therefore, such determination should be based on narrow age intervals considering their correlation with the prevalence of determining diseases, such as gastroenteritis in calves [11] and adults [12].…”

Hematology Reference Intervals for Holstein Cows in Southern China: A Study of 786 Subjects

“…According to our knowledge, however, there is currently no published information about hematology RIs for Holstein cows in China. It has been well documented that hematology RIs vary a lot with genotypes, ages, genders, climates and animal management [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. So far, most studies about hematology RIs for Holstein cows have been from European and American regions, with obvious differences in animal genotypes, animal management and climates from China [ 10 , 12 , 13 ].…”