Clinicopathological, endocrine, and oxidative stress alterations in dairy cattle naturally affected by bovine ephemeral fever

Abstract Background Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is an acute viral disease of cattle and water buffaloes characterized by marked inflammatory responses, cellular stress, and increased generation of reactive oxygen species, which can exacerbate clinical manifestations and may contribute to delayed recovery. Aim To comprehensively characterize the clinical and biological responses associated with BEF in naturally affected cattle through an integrated analysis of muscle injury markers, mineral–electrolyte homeostasis, glucose metabolism, hormonal responses, and oxidative–antioxidant status, in order to provide a framework that may aid in understanding the underlying disease mechanisms and guiding clinical management. Methods A commercial Holstein–Friesian dairy herd ( n = 647) in Beni-Suef, Egypt, experiencing BEF outbreak in summer 2025 was selected for this study, with 293 cattle showing typical clinical signs. From these, 57 lactating cattle were enrolled, while 21 clinically healthy cattle were included as controls based on clinical examination and RT-PCR confirmation. Clinical picture and associated disturbances in muscle enzymes activities, minerals, electrolytes, endocrine, and oxidative- antioxidant balances were demonstrated. Results The findings confirmed that BEF in cattle was characterized by a distinct clinical presentation, featuring abrupt onset of high fever, stiffness, marked lameness, recumbency, bloat, and a sharp decline in milk yield. These clinical manifestations were closely associated hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia, hypernatremia, hypokalemia, hypoferremia, and hypozincemia, hypoglycemia, decreased level of reduced glutathione (GSH) alongside elevation in serum creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA), circulating insulin (INS) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations. Collectively, these findings highlight the systemic nature of BEF and underscore the importance of integrated biochemical, metabolic and hormonal assessment in understanding disease pathogenesis and guiding clinical management.