Comparative blood profile of high and low yielding karan fries cows during early lactation

Hematological parameters associated with immunity and general health were estimated in high (EPA >5000kg/305d, n=8) and low yielding (EPA <3500kg/30Sd, n=8) Karan Fries (KF) (Holstein Friesian x Tharparkar) cows during their early lactation. Blood samples were collected once in a week during early lactation period i.e. from 1^st to 14^th week postparhnn. Hematological parameters included under study are Hemoglobin, Packed cell volume (PCV), Total erythrocyte count (TEC), Total leukocyte count (TLC), Diffetentialleukocyte count (DLC), blood indices and phagocytic activity (PA) of blood neutrophils. Hemoglobin concentration, Eosinophil count, TEC and PA of blood neutrophils were significantly (P <0.01) higher in low yielding cows when compared to high yielding cows. These values also differed significantly(P<0.01) during different weeks postparhnn. Whereas, Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values were significantly (P <0.01) higher for high yielding cows as compared with low yielding cows. No significant difference were found for other parameters under study i.e. pev, TLC, blood DLC (except eosinophils), Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Comparatively lower PA in high yielding cows could be one of the possible explanation for increased occurrence of udder infections i.e. mastitis in high yielder cows.