Hematology reference intervals for neonatal Holstein calves
Abstract
Data regarding hematologic reference intervals (RI) for neonatal calves have not been published yet. The aims of this study were: a) to establish hematology RIs for neonatal Holstein calves, b) to compare them with the RIs for lactating cows, and c) to investigate the relationship of age and gender with the hematologic profile of calves. Two-hundred and fifty-four clinically healthy Holstein calves (1-9days old, from 30 farms) and 82 healthy Holstein cows (between 30 and 150days in milk, from 10 farms) were blood sampled once for a complete blood count evaluation, using the ADVIA 120 hematology analyzer. An additional blood sample was collected from each calf for serum total protein concentration measurement. RIs and age-related RIs were calculated with the Reference Value Advisor freeware. Comparisons between calves and cows and between male and female calves were performed with t-test or Mann-Whitney test. Red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet counts in calves were higher, while mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were lower than in cows. Lymphocyte and platelets showed a notable increase through age. Finally, female calves had higher RBC, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration than males. Age-specific RIs should be used for the interpretation of the complete blood count in Holstein calves.
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Published reference ranges were observed in healthy male and female dairy or dairy cross calves between birth and 4 weeks of age or between 1 and 12 months of age for L-lactate.
“Published reference ranges were observed in healthy male and female dairy or dairy cross calves between birth and 4 weeks of age (21–24, 26) or between 1 and 12 months of age [L-lactate; (25)].”
From Effect of source and journey on physiological variables in calves transported by road and ferry between Ireland and the Netherlands (2023) · cites this paper as [24]
Overall, mean values for 11 out of 18 variables (for which reference ranges were available) exceeded the reference ranges published by previous studies after long fasting periods.
“Overall, mean values for 11 out of 18 variables (for which reference ranges were available) exceeded the reference ranges published by previous studies after long fasting periods (21–26).”
From Effect of source and journey on physiological variables in calves transported by road and ferry between Ireland and the Netherlands (2023) · cites this paper as [24]
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Influential
- Authors
- Panousis, N., Siachos, N., Kitkas, G., Kalaitzakis, E., Kritsepi-Konstantinou, M., & Valergakis, G. E.
- Affiliations
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (GR)
- Corresponding author
- Panousis, Nikolaos
- Venue
- Research in Veterinary Science
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2018-06
- Volume
- 118
- Pages
- 1-10
- ISSN
- 0034-5288 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2784112349
- Cited by
- 81
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 11.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- erratum (2019-04-01)
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Research in Veterinary Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal health and immunology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Clinical Laboratory Practices and Quality Control
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
- Keywords
- neonatal calves, Holstein cows, complete blood count, age-related reference values, sex differences, lactating dairy cows, serum total protein, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, platelet count, hematocrit, hemoglobin levels, mean corpuscular volume
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Animals, Newborn, Blood Cell Count, Cattle, Erythrocyte Count, Female, Hematologic Tests, Hematology, Lactation, Male, Reference Values
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