Comparison between some blood serum biochemical parameters of Holstein-Friesian and Galloway calves

The purpose of the study was to investigate the differences in the biochemical blood serum profiles of beef and dairy cows from two breeds: Galloway and Holstein-Friesian, to compare the bio-chemical parameters between the two coat colour variations of the Holstein-Friesian breed (black and white, red and white), and differences of the blood biochemical parameters between male and female Galloway calves. Thirty-six Galloway calves  13 male and 23 female, 37 red and white female Holstein-Friesian calves, and 41 female black and white Holstein-Friesian calves were sampled for this research. The results of the present study showed that some blood biochemistry parameters displayed a significant difference between the two breeds, between male and female Galloway calves and between Holstein-Friesian colour patterns. In terms of breed, blood calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), glucose, urea, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine kinase (CK), and potassium (K) were significantly greater in Holstein-Friesian animals whereas magnesium (Mg), total protein (TP), creatinine, chlorides (Cl), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALP, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), cholesterol, and sodium (Na) were higher in the Galloway breed. The mean cholesterol levels in Holstein-Friesian breed (2.01 mmol/L) exceeded significantly the mean serum concentrations in Galloway calves (3.61 mmol/L). The mean values of Ca, Cl, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), ALP, GGT, CK, cholesterol, triglycerides and K were higher in the blood of the red and white calves. In contrast, the total levels of bilirubin, albumin, urea, P, Mg, TP and Na were higher in the black and white coloured animals. The blood serum of female Galloway calves had higher levels of P, glucose, total bilirubin, ALT, ALP, CK, cholesterol, triglycerides and K compared to male Galloway calves. The results indicate that genetic and metabolic differences play a significant role in shaping the physiological characteristics of these cattle breeds. The determination of these blood variations is an important factor for better management and health monitoring strategies that could improve productivity and overall health of the animals. The results may also be useful for future studies and comparative analysis of biochemistry in cattle.