The influence of retained fetal membranes on the hemogram of Holstein cows

Hematological profiles of 177 blood samples from Holstein cows were determined during the first 90 days after parturition. Blood samples were collected from cows that were non-reactive to the bovine leukosis virus (GP 51) antigen. The animals were divided into two groups (group I: physiological puerperium and group II: puerperim with retained fetal membranes), and subdivided into four groups, based on the time that the samples were collected. During the first 10 days after parturition, retained fetal membranes did not influence the erythrogram. However, with the evolution of the puerperium period, a mild anemia was observed from the 10th to the 30th day postpartum in cows with retained fetal membranes. The leukocyte profile was predominantly lymphocytic, characterized by leucopenia induced by neutropenia with a left degenerative shift and eosinopenia. From the 10th day postpartum, the retained fetal membranes did not influence the leukogram.

dairy cow; postpartum; retained fetal membranes; hematology