Artur Stopyra

Selected Arterial Blood Gasometry Parameters as Indicators of Blood Transfusion Effectiveness in Foals with Haemolytic Disease

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the suitability of basic haematological, biochemical, and gasometric tests in checking the effectiveness of transfusion therapy in foals during isoerythrolysis. The number of red blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and partial pressure of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and blood pH was determined immediately before and several times after blood transfusion. The concentration of serum free bilirubin was also measured to confirm haemolysis. Fluids (0.9% NaCl, multielectrolytic fluid, 5% glucose) and antibiotics (penicillin, amikacin) were provided to the foals. The lowest values of haematological parameters were observed before transfusion. This was accompanied by decreased partial pressure of oxygen, low pH, and increased arterial carbon dioxide tension. Transfusion of whole blood led to a gradual normalisation of the haematological parameters, also accompanied by the normalisation of gasometric indicators (decrease in pCO2 and pO2 and pH increase). Monitoring of selected haematological and gasometric parameters allows to evaluate the efficacy of blood transfusion during treatment of haemolytic disease of foals.

The effect of micronutrient deficiencies on the health status of transition cows

Minerals, in particular micronutrients such as copper, manganese, zinc, selenium and chromium, deliver health benefits for high-yielding dairy cows. The availability of nutrients is particularly important during the transition period (between 3 weeks prepartum to 3-4 weeks postpartum), which is a highly vulnerable time in the production cycle that determines the health status of lactating cows, their milk yield and reproductive performance. In cows, prolonged mineral deficiency can produce subclinical symptoms of nutrient deficiency and, if untreated, can lead to a clinical presentation of the disorder. Less severe deficiencies, in particular micronutrient deficiencies, are more difficult to identify because they induce only minor functional and structural changes in the body, but together with energy metabolism disorders, they can lead to oxidative stress and immunosuppression, in particular in the transition period. Micronutrient supplements reduce the harmful effects of free radicals because the majority of micronutrients form the active centers of antioxidant enzymes. Dietary supplementation promotes reproductive performance, healthy fetal development and immunity. Micronutrients alleviate bacterial infections associated with mastitis, lower somatic cell counts in milk and minimize the risk of metabolic diseases caused by a negative energy balance. This study discusses the role of the major micronutrients in cattle nutrition and their effect on the health status of transition cows.