Blood and urinary metabolites in cattle differing in susceptibility
to bloat.
V.R. Carruthers, C.A. Morris
Dairying Research Corporation, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton, New
Zealand.
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 1994,
54: 289-292
Blood samples from 159 animals of known susceptibility to bloat were
analysed for a range of proteins, minerals, acid base status, hormones and
enzymes. Urine samples from the cows and heifers were analysed for minerals
and osmolality. Each animal was sampled once only in a fed state. An
increase in bloat breeding value of one unit (increasing susceptibility) was
significantly associated (P<0.05) with a decrease in liveweight of 28 (±6) kg
and increases in blood of 0.26 (±0.07) U/1 pepsinogen, 0.33 (±0.14) mmol/l
urea, 29.5 (±11.3) nmol/1 Se, 4.9 (±1.2) mmol/l red blood cell K, 0.5 (±0.2) g/l
beta globulin, and 13.9 (±6.1) pmol/l gastrin. The data suggest there may be
some physiological or metabolic differences between high and low susceptible
animals either arising during the selection and breeding programme or which
contribute to the susceptibility mechanism.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
bloat susceptibility; genetics; metabolites; cattle; blood profile.
Download abstract in text format
Last Updated 25-01-1997
