Blood metabolites near calving in twin-pregnant and single- pregnant cows

C.A. Morris, A.M. Day, K.R. Jones

AgResearch, Ruakura Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton, New Zealand

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1992, 52: 21-24

Nineteen cows, diagnosed 30 to 50 days after insemination as conceiving to a double ovulation and ranging in age from 2 to 8 years, were compared for possible signs of pregnancy toxaemia with a sample group of 18 single-ovulating single-pregnant controls, balanced for age. Blood samples were obtained on four occasions, between 2 and 10 weeks before the date when the first cow was due to calve. Blood samples were analysed for ferroxidase, albumin (A), globulin, total protein, the ratio of albumin to globulin, magnesium, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOH), gamma-glutamyltransferase and serum or whole blood selenium (Se). There were significant differences between single-pregnant and twin-pregnant cows in the concentrations of A, BOH and whole blood Se. Least-squares means were as follows: A, 33.7 and 32.3 g/l; BOH, 0.46 and 1.62 mmol/l; and whole blood Se 887 and 737 nmol/l. The BOH data in particular were useful in identifying cows possible requiring extra veterinary supervision.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Cattle; double ovulation; twin calving; blood metabolites; beta- hydroxybutyrate; repeatability; pregnancy toxaemia

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Last Updated 25-01-1997