Open Access
Research (Published online: 09-01-2021)
8. Changes in hematological, biochemical, and blood gases parameters in response to progressive inclusion of nitrate in the diet of Holstein calves
Abimael Ortiz-Chura, Gisela Marcoppido, José Gere, Gustavo Depetris, Francisco Stefañuk, Marcos D. Trangoni, Silvio L. Cravero, Claudia Faverín, Angel Cataldi and María E. Cerón-Cucchi
Veterinary World, 14(1): 61-69

Abimael Ortiz-Chura: Institute of Pathobiology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Hurlingham (C1686), Argentina.
Gisela Marcoppido: Institute of Pathobiology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Hurlingham (C1686), Argentina.
José Gere: Engineering Research and Development Division, National Technological University, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C1179), Argentina.
Gustavo Depetris: Agricultural Experimental Station of Balcarce, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Balcarce (B7620), Argentina.
Francisco Stefañuk: Agricultural Experimental Station of Balcarce, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Balcarce (B7620), Argentina.
Marcos D. Trangoni: Institute of Agrobiotechnology and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Hurlingham (C1686), Argentina.
Silvio L. Cravero: Institute of Agrobiotechnology and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Hurlingham (C1686), Argentina.
Claudia Faverín: Agricultural Experimental Station of Balcarce, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Balcarce (B7620), Argentina.
Angel Cataldi: Institute of Agrobiotechnology and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Hurlingham (C1686), Argentina.
María E. Cerón-Cucchi: Institute of Pathobiology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Hurlingham (C1686), Argentina.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.61-69

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Article history: Received: 20-08-2020, Accepted: 26-11-2020, Published online: 09-01-2021

Corresponding author: María E. Cerón-Cucchi

E-mail: ceroncucchi.maria@inta.gob.ar

Citation: Ortiz-Chura A, Marcoppido G, Gere J, Depetris G, Stefañuk F, Trangoni MD, Cravero SL, Faverín C, Cataldi A, Cerón-Cucchi ME (2021) Changes in hematological, biochemical, and blood gases parameters in response to progressive inclusion of nitrate in the diet of Holstein calves, Veterinary World, 14(1): 61-69.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Nitrate (NO3–) reduces enteric methane emissions and could be a source of non-protein nitrogen in ruminant feeds. Nonetheless, it has a potential toxic effect that could compromise animal health and production. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of progressive inclusion of NO3– in the diet on the hematological, biochemical, and blood gases parameters, in turn, the effects on feed intake and live weight gain (LWG) in Holstein calves.

Materials and Methods: Eighteen Holstein heifers and steers (nine animals/treatment) were maintained in individual pens for 45 days. Animals were randomly allocated to either a control or nitrate diet (ND) (containing 15 g of NO3–/kg of dry matter [DM]). The biochemical parameters and blood gases were analyzed only in the NO3– group on days: -1, 1, 7, 13, 19, and 25 corresponding to 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of the total inclusion of NO3– in the diet, respectively. In addition, DM intake (DMI) and LWG were evaluated among dietary treatments.

Results: Feeding the ND did not influence DMI or LWG (p>0.05). Methemoglobin (MetHb) and deoxyhemoglobin increased according to the NO3– concentrations in the diet (p<0.05), while an opposite effect was observed for oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin (p<0.05). Hematocrit levels decreased (p<0.05), while albumin, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase concentrations were not modified (p>0.05). However, glucose, urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and retinol concentrations increased (p<0.05) according to the NO3– concentrations in the diet.

Conclusion: This study confirmed that the progressive inclusion of 123 g of NO3–/animal/day in the diet could be safe without affecting DMI and LWG of Holstein calves. In turn, a dose-response effect of the MetHb, glucose, urea, AST, and retinol was observed, but these values did not exceed reference values. These results highlighted the importance of using a scheme of progressive inclusion of NO3– in the diet of calves to reduce the risks of NO3– toxicity.

Keywords: dry matter intake, liver function, methemoglobin, nitrate toxicity.