Biochemical Blood Parameters and Mineral Metabolism in the Adaptive Period in the Bovine Cattle in the Conditions of the Voronezh Region

The study of the process of adaptation of the Belgian breed bovine cattle to the conditions of the Voronezh Region was based on the biochemical blood parameters and mineral metabolism. The experiment included 20 animals divided into four groups (five heads in each group): Group I – covering age heifers, Group II – heifers, Group III – first-calf cows a month after calving, Group IV – one-month-old heifers. In some groups, adaptation processes resulted in deviations from the reference values. In Group II, the level of BUN was 4.7% higher than the norm. In Groups I and IV, the levels of glucose were higher by 7.6% and 38.5%, respectively. In Groups II and III, ALT levels were higher than the norm by 9.1%; in Group I – by 15.7%. In Group II, the level of AST was higher by 5.8% in comparison with the norm. The analysis of mineral metabolism showed that the content of iron was lower than the reference values in first-calf cows in Group III and in heifers in Group IV by 14.4 and 10.8%, respectively. In Group II, the content of copper met the upper border of the reference values. In Group IV, it was elevated by 18.2% in comparison with the norm. The specified deviations indicated the intensification of the metabolic processes during the adaptation of animals to new conditions. The study results showed that the animals of the Belgian breed were capable of adaptation, which provided successful adaptation to new conditions of the Voronezh Region (Russia).