To determine the haematological profile during the transition period of Murrah buffaloes in eastern Rajasthan

Introduction

The world's largest buffalo population is in India, at over 56%. About 109.85 million (20.47% of Indian livestock) are estimated. Buffalo numbers rose 1.06% since the 2012 livestock census. Female buffalo numbers rose 8.61% since 2012. As per 20th livestock census, Uttar Pradesh (33.0 million), Rajasthan (13.7 million), Gujarat (10.5 million) and Madhya Pradesh (10.3 million) have the most buffaloes. Rajasthan has 13.7 million buffaloes, second in the nation (20 th Livestock Census, BAHS, 2019). Dairy cows transition from 3 weeks pre-calving to 3 weeks post-calving (Kočila et al., 2013, Folnožić et al., 2015, Đuričić et al., 2020) [12,15,30] . The word "transition" emphasises the major physiological, metabolic and dietary changes occurring during this time. Transition failure causes decreased milk production, immunological suppression and reproductive failure. Periparturient stress caused by hormonal and metabolic fluctuations, especially a negative energy balance, shortage of proteins, minerals and vitamins and lactation is the main cause of immune system impairment in high-yielding cows (Goff, 2006) [17] . The cow may develop metabolic disorders like ketosis, acidosis and displaced abomasum (Drackley, 1999, Vernon, 2005), infectious disorders like metritis and mastitis (Sheldon et al., 2002b, Mulligan, 2006), or calving-related disorders like dystocia, retained placenta and decreased fertility. Nearly 75% of dairy cow diseases occur in the first month after calving (LeBlanc et al., 2006). Critical health issues during peripartum cause significant financial losses. Improved reproductive and productive efficiency in dairy animals requires a smooth pregnancy-tolactation transition (Goncu et al., 2017). Blood cell parameters change significantly as animals undergo massive metabolic adaptations from late pregnancy to early lactation. Hormonal changes are well-coordinated to support lactation (Bell, 1995, Dobranić et al., 2008, Folnožić et al., 2019). Transition dairy cows' metabolic adaptation depends on feeding management (Loor et al., 2007, Graugnard, 2013, Roche, 2013) [6,10,15,18,19,33,34,36,41,43,48,51] . Haematology is a valuable diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine, especially when combined with clinical examination (Ronald et al., 2014). Prepartum hemogram and biochemical profiling can predict cow susceptibility to production diseases (Kevin and Ellen, 2012). The postpartum haematological parameters show dairy animals' adaptability to physiological change, from non-lactation to lactation. RBC, Hb and immunoglobulin levels decrease prepartum and rise immediately after calving, which is linked to foetal growth by Elitok et al. (2006) and Djokovic (2015) [13] . This critical period involves significant haematological, cellular and immunomodulatory changes in the mammary gland to accommodate involution, prepare for parturition, withstand parturition stress, transform colostrum into milk and reach peak milk production. These periods also impair lymphocyte and neutrophil function (Kehrli et al., 1989). Ruminants get Lymphocytosis from chronic infections like pneumonia, peritonitis, pericarditis and liver abscesses. Chronic infections may cause primiparous cows' high WBC counts in early to mid-lactation. In the mammary gland, neutrophils flood colostrums and milk around calving and for the first week afterward (Guidry et al., 1976), affecting erythrocyte parameters and total and differential leucocyte counts (DLC) (Klinkon, 1992) [20,25,26,29,44] .

Materials and Methods

The present study was conducted on Murrah buffaloes (N=15) from local farms of eastern Rajasthan (Bharatpur district). The selected Murrah buffaloes in advanced pregnancy were apparently healthy and free from any parasitic infection or disease condition.

Collection, processing and preservation of blood samples

The blood samples during the transition period from Murrah buffaloes (n = 15) were collected in different phases according to the following protocol: Statistical analysis: Conventional standard statistical procedure was used to analyze the data for mean, standard error and ANOVA using SPSS 24 th version and comparison of mean was tested using Duncan ' s multiple range test (Duncan ' s, 1995) [11] .

Results and Discussion

Total leucocytes count

The normal range for total leukocyte count in buffaloes is 5.80-15.5 (10 (2015) [3] found lesser TLC at parturition in cows and buffaloes. In response to metabolic requirements in the final stage of pregnancy and the start of lactation, haematological biomarkers changed significantly, ensuring nutritional energy and oxygen transport through the blood. WBC count is a crucial part of the total blood count since it indicates animal health. White blood cell dysfunction during calving decreases immunity (Klinkon and Zadnik, 1999) [4,9,28,31,38,39,40,49,52] .

Total erythrocyte count

The buffaloes' mean total erythrocyte count (TEC) was within normal ranges, with values of 5.12-9.30 (10 6 /μl/ or 10 12 /l) as reported by Wills (2010) and Dhillon et al. (2020). The mean ± SE values of total erythrocyte count (×10 12 /l) were 6.54 ± 0.23, 7.51 ± 0.12, 8.53 ± 0.10 and 7.15 ± 0.11 during the 3rd week pre-partum, one week before parturition, 24 hours postpartum and 3rd week post-part. The transition phase had a substantial (p < 0.05) effect on total erythrocyte count (TEC) in Murrah buffaloes, with the highest levels occurring 24 hours post-partum and the lowest during the 3rd week prepartum. Our findings were consistent with A.E. Mohamed et al. (2015) [3] [9,24,45,52] .

Lymphocyte percent

The normal lymphocyte percent in buffaloes is 26 [14,23,24,27,37,39,42,49,52] . [3] found a nonsignificant higher monocyte percent in early lactation than late pregnancy. Buffalo blood monocytosis was caused by cortisol surge at calving. This increase may be to reduce calving-related general and uterine infections (Pande et al., 2016). Monocytes may migrate from circulation to tissues and become macrophages to provide immunity during parturition stress (Klinkon and Zadnik, 1999) [3] in dairy cows, Oliveira (2019) [3] in buffaloes, Elshahawy and Abullaziz (2017) in dairy cows, Abdelrazek et al. (2018) [1] in buffaloes, Reddy and Sivajothi (2020) [4,14,24,42,49,52] .

Monocyte percent

Basophil percent:

The observed mean percentage of Basophils was within the established normal reference range for buffaloes, i.e., 0-3.5%, as documented by Wills (2010). The mean ± SE values of basophil (%) were recorded as 1.25 ± 0.05, 1.01 ± 0.01, 1.00 ± 0.04 and 1.01 ± 0.03 during the third week pre-partum, one week before parturition, 24 hours after parturition and the third week post-partum, respectively. A comparable pattern was observed by A.E. Mohamed et al.

(2015) [3] in buffaloes, Elshahawy and Abullaziz (2017) in dairy cows, Abdelrazek et al. (2018) [1] in buffaloes, Reddy and Sivajothi (2020) [4,14,24,37,42,49,52] .

Haemoglobin:

The mean haemoglobin (Hb) in buffaloes was 8.90-15.9 (g/dl) as shown by Wills (2010) (2018) [1] in buffaloes, Joshi et al. (2018) in Karan Fries (KF) cows and Kumar et al. (2018) in Murrah buffaloes found the same pattern but no significant effect. Contrary to Kumar and Pachuri (2000) in crossbred cattle, Găvan et al. (2010) in HF cows, A.E. Mohamed (2015) [3] in buffaloes, Elshahawy and Abullaziz (2017) in dairy cows, Sharma et al. (2017) in Murrah buffaloes, Oliveira (2019) in Nellore cows and Reddy and Sivajothi (2020) in buffaloes. On the day of calving or immediately after calving, the body tissues need more energy to complete all the physiological processes related to calving, but Hb levels decreased in the early lactation period due to the lower rate of erythropoiesis in these animals (Kumar and Pachuri, 2000) or anaemia or the mammary tissues' higher haemoglobin requirement for milk syntheses [4,14,16,24,31,32,37,39,42,47] .

Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH)

According to Wills (2010) [7,14,24,45,47,58] . [4,14,24,39,52] .

Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)

Packed cell volume (PCV)

According to Wills (2010) [2] in buffaloes, Patel et al. (2017) in cows, Abdelrazek (2018) [1] in buffaloes, Oliveira (2019) [3] in buffalo heifers, Elshahawy and Abullaziz (2017) [4,6,9,14,16,21,24,32,37,39,42,47,52] . (Rani and Rao, 2021). MCV may decrease slightly due to calving-induced erythrocytes [4,9,14,24,39,41,47,52] .

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)

Conclusion

The present investigation clearly demonstrates that the transition period exerts a marked influence on the haematological profile of Murrah buffaloes, reflecting the intense physiological, metabolic and immunological adjustments associated with late pregnancy, parturition and early lactation. Although most haematological parameters remained within established reference ranges, statistically and biologically meaningful variations were observed across different phases of the transition period, highlighting its critical nature. An overall increase in total leucocyte count and neutrophil percentage around calving, accompanied by a decline in lymphocyte percentage, indicates a typical stress leukogram largely driven by cortisol-mediated responses and heightened innate immune activity. These changes underline the transient immunosuppression and redistribution of leukocyte populations that predispose animals to periparturient diseases. The rise in neutrophils immediately after parturition further emphasizes their protective role against mammary and uterine infections during this vulnerable phase. Total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume peaked shortly after calving, suggesting increased oxygen demand, hemoconcentration and endocrine adaptations during uterine involution and the onset of lactation. The relative stability of platelet counts across the transition period indicates effective haemostatic regulation despite calving-associated blood loss. Variations in erythrocyte indices (MCV, MCH and MCHC), though largely non-significant, provide valuable insights into erythropoietic dynamics and potential subclinical anaemic tendencies during late gestation and early lactation. The present study clearly demonstrates that the transition period exerts a marked influence on the haematological profile of Murrah buffaloes, reflecting the intense physiological, metabolic and immunological adjustments associated with late pregnancy, parturition and early lactation. Most haematological parameters, including total leukocyte count, erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, platelet count and erythrocytic indices, remained within established reference ranges, indicating effective adaptive mechanisms and overall physiological stability during this critical phase. However, distinct temporal variations were evident around calving, particularly increases in TLC, TEC, neutrophil percentage, haemoglobin, PCV and MCHC at or shortly after parturition, suggesting heightened oxygen demand, stress response and immune activation. The observed lymphocytopenia and neutrophilia at calving further confirm the role of cortisol-mediated stress and transient immunomodulation during the periparturient period. Monocyte and eosinophil percentages showed minor fluctuations, likely reflecting protective immune functions against infection and inflammatory challenges associated with calving. Variations in RBC indices (MCV, MCH and MCHC) highlight their diagnostic value in assessing erythropoietic status and potential anaemic conditions during late gestation and early lactation. Overall, the findings emphasize that haematological profiling is a valuable tool for monitoring health, stress and immune competence in buffaloes during the transition period, aiding in timely management interventions to ensure optimal productivity and welfare.

Phase

References

1. Abdelrazek H, Ismail TA, El-Azzazi FE, Elsayed DH. Hematological and metabolic alterations in Egyptian buffaloes during transition period. Egypt Acad J Biol Sci Physiol Mol Biol. 2018;10(1):69-78.
2. Abdulkareem. Some hematological and blood biochemical attributes of Iraqi riverine buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) around calving and postpartum periods. Al-Anbar J Vet Sci. 2013;6(1):143-150.
3. Mohamed GHA, Abd-El-Naser EMA, Elsayed HAN. Preliminary study on lipid profile with relation to total antioxidant capacity and some hematological and biochemical changes of pre-post-partum buffalo heifers at Assiut city. Assiut Vet Med J. 2015;61(144):159-165.
4. Aswal M, Prasad S, Kumar N, Rajpoot V, Mondal M. Hemato-metabolic profile of high producing dairy cows during the transition period. Vet Arhiv. 2021;91(3):249260.
5. Ate IU, Rekwot PI, Nok AJ, Tekdek LB. Haematological values of during third trimester of pregnancy and early lactation in settled cattle herds in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Afr J Biomed Res. 2009;12(3):225-231.
6. Bell AW. Regulation of organic nutrient metabolism during transition from late pregnancy. J Anim Sci. 1995;73(9):2804-2819.
7. Detilleux JC, Koehler KJ, Freeman AE, Kehrli ME, Kelly DH. Immunological parameters of peri-parturient Holstein cattle: genetic variation. J Dairy Sci. 2004;77(9):2640-2650.
8. Dhillon KS, Randhawa CS, Gupta K, Singh RS, Chhabra S. Reference values for haematological and biochemical profile in adult Indian buffaloes. Buffalo Bull. 2020;39(2):145-154.
9. Djoković R, Cincović M, Belić B, Toholj B, Davidov I, Hristovska T. Relationship between blood metabolic hormones, metabolites and energy balance in Simmental dairy cows during peripartum period and lactation. Pak Vet J. 2015;35:163-167.
10. Drackley JK. Biology of dairy cows during the transition period: the final frontier. J Dairy Sci. 1999;82:22592273.
11. Duncan DB. Multiple range and multiple F tests. Biometrics. 1995;11:1-41.
12. Đuričić D, Ljubić BB, Vince S, Turk R, Valpotić H, Zura Zaja I, et al. Effects of clinoptilolite supplementation on β-hydroxybutyrate serum level and milk fat to protein ratio during early lactation in Holstein-Friesian cows. Microporous Mesoporous Mater. 2020;292:109766.
13. Elitok B, Kabu M, Elitok OM. Evaluation of liver function tests in cows during periparturient period. FU Sag Bil Derg. 2006;20(3):205-209.
14. Elshahawy II, Abdullaziz IA. Hemato-biochemical profiling in relation to metabolic disorders in transition dairy cows. Alex J Vet Sci. 2017;55:25-33.
15. Folnožić I, Turk R, Đuričić D, Vince S, Pleadin J, FlegarMeštrić Z, et al. Influence of body condition on serum metabolic indicators of lipid mobilization and oxidative stress in dairy cows during the transition period. Reprod Domest Anim. 2015;50:910-917.
16. Găvan C, Retea C, Motorga V. Changes in the hematological profile of Holstein primiparous cows in the periparturient period and early to mid-lactation. Sci Pap Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2010;43(2):244-246.
17. Goff JP. Major advances in our understanding of nutritional influences on bovine health. J Dairy Sci. 2006;89(4):1292-1301.
18. Goncu S, Anitas O, Gungor C, Gokhan G. New technology usage for sustainable dairy cow reproductive performances. J Environ Sci Eng B. 2017;6(10):5263.
19. Graugnard DE, Moyes KM, Trevisi E, Khan MJ, Keisler D, Drackley JK, et al. Liver lipid content and inflammometabolic indices in peripartal dairy cows altered by energy intake and inflammatory challenge. J Dairy Sci. 2013;96(2):918-935.
20. Guidry AJ, Paape MJ, Pearson RE. Effects of parturition and lactation on blood and milk cell concentrations, corticosteroids and neutrophil phagocytosis in the cow. Am J Vet Res. 1976;37(10):1195-1200.
21. Hagawane SD, Shinde SB, Rajguru DN. Hematological and blood biochemical profile in lactating buffaloes in and around Parbhani city. Vet World. 2009;2(12):467469.
22. Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Livestock population statistics. Available from: pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1988609. Accessed 2026 Feb 7.
23. Jacob SK, Philomina PT, Ramnath V. Serum profile of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in crossbred heifers during gestation and early lactation. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2002;46(2):245-248.
24. Joshi KR, Pathan MM, Madhira SP, Pande AM, Dhusa DD. Study of haematological parameters of crossbred cows during peripartum period. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci. 2018;7(12):461-467.
25. Kehrli ME Jr, Nonnecke BJ, Roth JA. Alterations in bovine neutrophil function during the periparturient period. Am J Vet Res. 1989;50(2):207-214.
26. Kevin L, Ellen J. The metabolic profile for the modern transition dairy cow. Proc Mid-South Ruminant Nutrition Conference, Grapevine, Texas; 2012.
27. Khadjeh GH, Papahn AA. Some haematological parameters in Iranian (Khuzestan native) buffaloes. Indian J Anim Sci. 2002;72(8):671-673.
28. Klinkon M, Zadnik T. Dynamics of red and white blood picture in dairy cows during the periparturient period. Comp Haematol Int. 1999;9:156-161.
29. Klinkon M. Red blood picture of cattle in Slovenia with regard to breed, sex, age, physiological state and rearing conditions [dissertation]. Ljubljana: Veterinary Faculty; 1992.
30. Kočila P, Janžek A, Gračner D, Dobranić T, Đuričić D, Prvanović N, et al. Progesterone concentration and International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research https://www.biochemjournal.com energy balance influence on dairy cows with different milk yield during puerperium. Vet Umsch. 2013;68:266274.
31. Kornmatitsuk B, Onigsson KK, Kindahl H, Gustafsson H, Forsberg M, Madej A. Clinical signs and hormonal changes in dairy heifers after induction of parturition with prostaglandin F2α. J Vet Med. 2001;47:395-409.
32. Kumar B, Pachauri SP. Haematological profile of crossbred dairy cattle to monitor herd health status at medium elevation in Central Himalayas. Res Vet Sci. 2000;69:141-145.
33. LeBlanc SJ, Lissemore DD, Kelton DF, Duffield TF, Leslie KE. Major advances in disease prevention in dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci. 2006;89:1267-1279.
34. Loor JJ, Everts RE, Bionaz M, Dann HM, Morin DE, Oliveira R, et al. Nutrition-induced ketosis alters metabolic and signaling gene networks in liver of periparturient dairy cows. Physiol Genomics. 2007;32(1):105-116.
35. Meglia GE, Johannisson A, Petersson L, Waller KP. Changes in blood micronutrients, leukocytes and neutrophil adhesion molecules in periparturient dairy cows. Acta Vet Scand. 2001;42:139-150.
36. Mulligan FJ, O'Grady L, Rice DA, Doherty ML. A herd health approach to dairy cow nutrition and production diseases of the transition cow. Anim Reprod Sci. 2006;96(3-4):331-353.
37. Oliveira WDCD, Araújo MJD, Edvan RL, Oliveira RL, Bezerra LR. Changes in hematological biomarkers of Nellore cows at different reproductive stages. Acta Sci Anim Sci. 2019;41:1.
38. Pande N, Agrawal R, Shrivastava OP, Swamy M. Alterations in haemato-metabolic status and body condition score of buffaloes during the transition period. J Livest Sci. 2016;7:122-125.
39. Patel B, Kumar N, Jain V, Kumar F, Naik MA, Lathwal SS. Haematological status of Karan Fries cows during transition period in hot humid condition. Int J Environ Sci Technol. 2017;6:793-797.
40. Pathan MM, Kaur M, Mohanty AK, Kapila S, Dang AK. Evaluation of neutrophil competence and activity of cows and buffaloes around peripartum. J Appl Anim Res. 2015;43:61-68.
41. Rani KS, Rao KP. Hematobiochemical profile of a cow during transition period: a review. [Journal details not specified]. 2021.
42. Reddy BS, Sivajothi S. Assessment of haematobiochemical and stress parameters during the transition period in buffaloes. Buffalo Bull. 2020;39(2):161-165.
43. Roche JR, Bell AW, Overton TR, Loor JJ. Nutritional management of the transition cow in the 21st century a paradigm shift in thinking. Anim Prod Sci. 2013;53(9):1000-1023.
44. Ronald L, Drillich M, Iwersen M. Hematology as a diagnostic tool in bovine medicine. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2014;26(5):592-598.
45. Sateesh AG, Vivek KR, Patil NA, Bhoyar RG, Vivek MP, Shivaprakash BV. Study on metabolic profile of Deoni cows in transition period. Pharma Innov J. 2018;7(1):299-302.
46. Seifi HA, Mirshokraie P, Farzaneh N. Metabolic profile test in Iran: variations of metabolites around parturition in dairy cattle. Acta Vet Scand Suppl. 2003;98:1.
47. Sharma S, Singh M, Roy AK, Kumar HM. Plasma lipid and haematological profile during transition period in Murrah buffaloes supplemented with prilled fat. Indian J Anim Res. 2017;51(1):85-88.
48. Sheldon IM, Noakes DE, Dobson H. Effect of the regressing corpus luteum of pregnancy on ovarian folliculogenesis after parturition in cattle. Biol Reprod. 2002;66(2):266-271.
49. Todorović MJ, Davidović V. Changes in white blood picture and biochemical parameters of dairy cows in peripartum period and early lactation. Mljekarstvo. 2012;62(2):[pages not specified].
50. Van Soest PJ, Blosser TH. Detailed study of levels of certain blood constituents in normally calving dairy cows and cows with parturient paresis. J Dairy Sci. 1954;37:185-194.
51. Vernon RG. Lipid metabolism during lactation: adipose tissue-liver interactions and development of fatty liver. J Dairy Res. 2005;72:460-469.
52. Wills OW, Jain NC, Carroll EJ. Veterinary haematology. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 2010.