Hormonal, biochemical and hematological changes in neonatal calves with sepsis induced by enteritis.

Abstract

Background: Diarrhea is one of the most important problems seen in calves during the neonatal period. Sepsis caused by diarrhea is the main cause of death. In the case of sepsis, many hormonal, hematological and biochemical changes occur in calves. It is extremely important to evaluate these parameters together.

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate hormonal, biochemical, and hematological changes in neonatal calves affected by septic enteritis to obtain more information about the pathogenesis of sepsis.

Methods: The study included a sepsis group consisting of 40 calves aged 0-15 days with enteritis, and a control group composed of 20 clinically and hematologically healthy calves of similar age. Calves presenting with enteritis, anorexia, severe dehydration, and general condition deterioration were examined, and those meeting the sepsis criteria were included in the study. Hematological, hormonal, and biochemical measurements were performed on blood samples obtained from the calves. Additionally, pathogenic agents causing enteritis were identified using immunochromatographic methods on fecal samples.

Results: In the sepsis group, creatinine, total protein, and urea levels, as well as the enzymatic activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and creatine kinase (CK) were significantly higher compared with the healthy group (P<0.05), while cholesterol levels were significantly lower (P<0.001). The total leukocyte count (WBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and granulocyte count were also found to be higher in the sepsis group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, calves in the sepsis group were determined to be hypothermic, tachycardic and tachypneic compared with the control group (P<0.05). In the sepsis group, notable reductions in free T3, free T4 and erythropoietin (EPO) levels were observed (P<0.05). However, cortisol, insulin, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels were significantly higher than those in the healthy group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Sepsis causes significant hematological, biochemical and hormonal changes in neonatal calves.