The following blood samples were collected from all cattle: 5 ml of EDTA blood for haematological analysis, 10 ml of whole blood for serum biochemistry, 2 ml of whole blood mixed with 0.2 ml heparin for venous blood gas analysis and 5 ml of EDTA blood for the glutaraldehyde test. Haematological analysis included the determination of PCV, total leukocyte count and the concentrations of fibrinogen and total protein using an automated blood analyzer (CELL-Dyn 3500, Abbott Diagnostics Division, Baar). A differential leukocyte count was done in cattle with leukopenia (< 5000 leukocytes/μl blood) or leukocytosis (> 10,000 leukocytes/μl blood). The concentrations of serum urea nitrogen and bilirubin and the activities of the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) were determined at 37 °C using an automated analyser (Cobas-Integra-800-Analyser, Roche Diagnostics, Basel) and the manufacturer’s reagents (Roche-Reagents) according to the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC). Venous blood gas analysis was done using an automated analyser (RapidLab 248, (Siemens Schweiz AG, Zurich). A glutaraldehyde test (Glutaltest®, Graeub AG, Bern) was performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results were compared to reference intervals recently reported [18 (link)].
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