Changes in hematological, biochemical, and blood gases prameters in response to progressive inclusion of nitrate in the diet of Holstein calves

Background and Aim: Nitrate (NO3-) reduces enteric methane emissions and could be a source of non-protein nitrogen in ruminant feeds. Nonetheless, it has a potential toxic effect that could compromise animal health and production. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of progressive inclusion of NO3- in the diet on the hematological, biochemical, and blood gases parameters, in turn, the effects on feed intake and live weight gain (LWG) in Holstein calves. Materials and Methods: Eighteen Holstein heifers and steers (nine animals/treatment) were maintained in individual pens for 45 days. Animals were randomly allocated to either a control or nitrate diet (ND) (containing 15 g of NO3-/kg of dry matter [DM]). The biochemical parameters and blood gases were analyzed only in the NO3- group on days: -1, 1, 7, 13, 19, and 25 corresponding to 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of the total inclusion of NO3- in the diet, respectively. In addition, DM intake (DMI) and LWG were evaluated among dietary treatments. Results: Feeding the ND did not influence DMI or LWG (p>0.05). Methemoglobin (MetHb) and deoxyhemoglobin increased according to the NO3- concentrations in the diet (p<0.05), while an opposite effect was observed for oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin (p<0.05). Hematocrit levels decreased (p<0.05), while albumin, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase concentrations were not modified (p>0.05). However, glucose, urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and retinol concentrations increased (p<0.05) according to the NO3- concentrations in the diet.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Ortiz Chura, Abimael, Marcoppido, Gisela Ariana, Gere, José, Depetris, Gustavo, Stefañuk Bahamonde, Francisco José, Trangoni, Marcos David, Cravero, Silvio Lorenzo Pedro, Faverin, Claudia, Cataldi, Angel Adrian, Ceron Cucchi, Maria Esperanza
Format:	info:ar-repo/semantics/artículo biblioteca
Language:	eng
Published:	Veterinary World Publisher 2021-01
Subjects:	Liver Function Tests, Nitrates, Diet, Calves, Toxicity, Pruebas de Función Hepática, Nitratos, Dieta, Ternero, Toxicidad, Raza Holstein,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/9104 http://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.14/January-2021/8.html https://www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.61-69
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!