Assessing total erythrocyte count as a potential attribute for estimating hemoglobin in Cholistani cattle

Abstract

Abstract The present study was devised with an aim of assessing an interrelationship between Total Erythrocyte Count (TEC) and Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and assessing the potential of TEC for estimating Hb level in Cholistani cattle (n = 264). The TEC and Hb (HbD) estimation was carried out through veterinary hematology analyzer. The Hb was also calculated as TEC × 3 and was termed as HbC. Scatter-plots were drawn and linear regression was carried out between TEC, HbD, HbC and CHB. The regression prediction equation hence attained was used to deduce corrected hemoglobin (CHb). A significant (P ≤ 0.05) difference was noticed between HbD and HbC. A non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) difference was noticed, however, between HbD and CHb. Tests of level of agreement indicated a higher Cronbach Alpha and Interclass Correlation Coefficient (0.682 for average measures) for HbD and CHb as compared to that for HbD and HbC (0.559 for average measures). A convention of Hb concentration as three times of TEC (×3) is not valid for Cholistani cattle. A different pen-side hematological formula i.e. Hb (g/dL) = 0.66(TEC) + 6.1, however, may provide reliable results for Hb estimation from the TEC in cattle. Using hemocytometry for TEC in the field, all the stakeholders associated with veterinary research, academics and practice may benefit from this formula in resource-poor countries.