Analysis of Blood Chemistry in Grazing Cattle and Heifers Supplemented With Energy and Minerals

Abstract

Comparisons were made on the level of blood parameters in grazing cattle and heifers supplemented with energy and minerals to reduce the nutritional cause of anaemia. The purpose was to determine if supplementary feeding reduces anaemia observed in cattle in tropical humid zones and influences plasma minerals. Three diets composed of (A) hay and molasses, (B) hay, molasses, energy concentrates and (C) hay, molasses, energy concentrates with mineral mix were fed to three groups of five Frisian heifers each. Plasma glucose, calcium, sodium and potassium, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, red and white blood cell counts were measured at two-week intervals for 14 weeks in the three groups of heifers and were determined in 78 apparently healthy grazing cattle. Heifers supplemented with energy concentrates and minerals showed increased feed intake, daily weight gains, haemoglobin, plasma glucose, calcium and sodium concentrations, red blood cell counts and packed cell volume. In grazing cattle receiving no supplementation values for white and red blood cell counts, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, plasma glucose, calcium, sodium, potassium and total serum proteins concentrations were statistically similar to those of heifers receiving no energy and concentrate supplementation. It is concluded that mineral and energy supplementation increases the level of most blood parameters. The most salient increases were in body weight, serum proteins, glucose, calcium, haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume.