Research Information System
Bulletin of the Veterinary Institute in Pulawy, vol.52, no.2, pp.281-284, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
Concentrations of serum sialic acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), retinol, zinc, and copper were measured in 52 lactating Holstein cows. Out of them, 15 were controls, 21 mildly lame, 7 moderate lame, and 9 severely lame. The animals were housed in free-stall barns with a slurry surface and were not released for pasture feeding. Compared to control animals, the mean serum total sialic acid concentrations in animals with severe lameness, but not in those with mild and moderate lameness, were increased significantly (P<0.01). The levels of MDA were higher in severely lame animals than in controls as well as in mildly and moderately lame animals and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). Contrary to the elevated serum concentrations of sialic acid and MDA in severely lame cows, the mean serum retinol value of these animals showed a remarkable decline (P<0.05). As for serum zinc and copper concentrations, there were statistically no significant alterations between the groups. In conclusion, results of the present study indicate that the concentrations of serum total sialic acid, MDA and retinol are associated with a degree of the lameness.