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; María E Cerón-Cucchi

doi:10.14202/vetworld.2021.61-69

Changes in hematological, biochemical, and blood gases parameters in response to progressive inclusion of nitrate in the diet of Holstein calves

Vet World. 2021 Jan;14(1):61-69. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.61-69. Epub 2021 Jan 9.

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Pathobiology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Hurlingham (C1686), Argentina.
² Engineering Research and Development Division, National Technological University, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C1179), Argentina.
³ Agricultural Experimental Station of Balcarce, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Balcarce (B7620), Argentina.
⁴ Institute of Agrobiotechnology and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Hurlingham (C1686), Argentina.

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.