Reference values of the lipid profile of Holstein cattle bred in state of São Paulo

Abstract

In order to establish the reference values for the lipid profile of Holstein cattle, bred in the state of São Paulo we analyzed samples of blood serum and plasma of 413 healthy animals. We suggest, based on the confidence interval, the use of the following reference values: cholesterol - between 86.5 and 120.8 mg/dL for calves up to 3 months old; between 46.3 and 79.7 mg/dL for calves between 3 and 12 months; between 86.4 and 105.0 mg/dL for heifers between 12 and 24 months; between 116.0 and 147.9 mg/dL for cows older than 24 months; triglycerides - between 16.3 and 34.8 mg/dL for animals up to 48 months; between 14.9 and 24.0 mg/dL for animals older than 48 months; NEFA - between 91.3 and 294.0 µM/L regardless of the age; ß-HBO - between 1.1 and 2.1 mg/dL for calves up to 3 months old; between 3.37 and 6.2 mg/dL for animals older than 3 months; glucose - between 75.1 and 88.3 mg/dL for calves up to 3 months old; between 64.0 and 76.1 mg/dL for animals between 3 and 24 months; between 60.6 and 67.2 mg/dL for cows older than 24 months. For adult males, older than 24 months, we suggest different reference values for the following constituents: cholesterol - between 73.9 and 90.2 mg/dL; ß-HBO - between 3.1 and 3.6 mg/dL and glucose - between 71.9 and 76.5 mg/dL. The reference values that were previously presented should not be used for cows in the last month of gestation and in the first 45 days of lactation. In this case, the reference values should be specific for animals around parturition.