Abstract

JORDAN, David et al. Blood chemistry in bullfighting cattle maintained under grazing conditions in Andes Mountains from Colombia.. Rev Colom Cienc Pecua [online]. 2006, vol.19, n.1, pp.18-26. ISSN 0120-0690.

To obtain blood chemistry values in bullfighting cattle and to describe the metabolism during peripartum period in bullfighting cows, two herds from Colombian Andes Mountains (4-6°LN y 75-76°LO) were selected. Cattle was feeding using grazing systems, and males older than two years were supplemented with concentrates. Thirty-nine animals were selected at random (Group 1) and grouped according age and gender (young and adult males, and young and adult females), blood serum samples were taken from each one. In addition, blood serum samples (10 mL) were taken every two weeks from five cows (Group 2), the first samples were taken four weeks before calving, and 10 weeks after calving the last ones. The concentration of glucose, fructosamine (Group 2), cholesterol, β-hydroxybutyrate, triacylglycerols, proteins, albumin, globulins, and urea was analyzed. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistic and ANOVA. The mean values in Group 1 for glucose, cholesterol, β-OHB, triacylglycerols, proteins, albumin, globulins, and urea were 6.4±2.1 mmol/L; 2.9±0.5 mmol/L; 0.2±0.1 mmol/L; 0.3±0.1 mmol/L; 89±14 g/L; 31±4 g/L; 55±13 g/L; and 6.9±1.5 mmol/L, respectively. There were differences for urea according to age and gender (p<0.05). The blood serum levels in Group 2 for β-OHB, albumin, and urea were higher after calving than before calving (p<0.05). The observed values for the different serum metabolites in both groups were similar to those described for other cattle breeds, except for serum glucose. Bullfighting cows have a metabolism similar to other tame cows during the periparturient period, and reach earlier an equilibrium in their metabolism because of their lower nutritional requirements. The differences among categories and according to the week related to calving date may be associated with the feeding system, but this requires further studies.

Keywords : bullfighting cattle; energy; nutrition; peripartum; blood chemistry.

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