Morphology of erythrocytes and ketosis in dairy cows with different body condition

The aim of this study was to examine the difference in the values of erythrocyte parameters in healthy cows and cows suffering from subsclinical ketosis in the function of body condition. Proved a statistically significant difference in the concentration of hemoglobin in healthy and diseased cows, and hemoglobin concentration was lower in cows with high body condition score. It was found a higher hematocrit value in cows with ketosis, but not significantly. MCV, MCH and MCHC have been modified in the function of the previously mentioned changes, but not statistically significant. Clinical analysis showed that over 75% cows with ketosis show decrease of the concentration of hemiglobin, while the 15% value of hemoglobin remained similar and in 10% of the cows is slightly higher than the average of healthy controls. Microscopic examination of blood smear determined an increase in the number of morphologically altered red blood cells in cows with ketosis, as well as increase in red blood cells whose diameter was outside of physiological values. Poikilocytosis is significant frequent in obese cows. Anizocytosis and poikilocytosis are negatively and linearly dependent on the concentration of hemoglobin. These results may be related to the state of oxidative stress and altered liver function of dairy cows during ketosis.