Haematological, biochemical and endocrinological profiles in crossbred postpartum anestrus cows under tropical island ecosystem

Abstract

A study was carried out to assess the effect of postpartum anestrus (PPA) on haematological, antioxidant and endocrinological profiles in crossbred cows under tropical island ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Based on the records, the cows that had shown anestrous for more than 120 days were selected in PPA group while cows coming in estrous before 65 days of postpartum for more than three successive lactations involving present lactation were selected in normal cyclic group (control group). Blood samples were collected, analysed for haematological profile, antioxidant profile such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and free radical such as malondialdehyde (MDA), and hormone profiles such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol 17β (E2), progesterone (P4), cortisol (CORT) and thyroxin (T4). Crossbred cows of ANI with PPA had suffered severe anaemia. PPA affected cows showed significantly low level of antioxidant profiles and higher MDA level than the unaffected animals. Similarly, endocrinological profiles revealed the PPA affected cows had significantly higher level of CORT and lower level of E2, P4, FSH, LH and T4 than the unaffected crossbred cows. PPA was due to anaemia, lack of antioxidants, over production of free radicals and disturbances of endocrinological profiles. A balanced, limited ration with good quality and quantity of antioxidants, sufficient daily exercise and sufficiently large, clean drinking water can minimize the PPA in crossbred cows.