Changes in the level of selected haematological and biochemical parameters in the blood of dairy cows in central-eastern Poland

The study included 4 herds of dairy cows (C, D, E, F) from Central- Eastern Poland. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare selected haematological and biochemical indicators in the blood of dry and lactating cows from the studied region. Blood was sampled twice from the external jugular vein at two dates: 10-14 days prior to calving and after the first month of lactation. Determination of the RBC (red blood cell) count, as well as haemoglobin concentration (HGB) was made in the samples of whole blood by means of haematological MS 4-5 VET analyser. Glucose and total protein levels, as well as enzyme activities (AST, ALT, ALP and GGT) in the sera were determined with Cormay diagnostic set. Measurements of selected haematological and biochemical indicators indicated a reduced glucose level and increased activity of alkaline phosphatase in lactating cows. A particularly high activity of AST was found in the examined animals.