Physiological status of cow breeds Blonde d Aquitaine, Chianina, and Marchigiana, which undergo a transition from summer to winter feeding

Vasil Nikolov, Radka Malinova, Svetoslav Karamfilov

Abstract: The biochemical parameters of the blood of 23 cows of the Blonde d'Aquitaine (n-13), Chianina (n-5), and Marchigiana (n-5) cattle breeds at the same age, and in the same physiological and bodily condition were examined at the end of the grazing period. The animals were reared on the same farm, on natural pastures, and were not given additional concentrated feed. The breed had a significant influence on the levels of glucose (P<0,01), Alkaline Phosphatase (p<0,01), Carbon Dioxide (P<0,05), and Urea Nitrogen (P<0,001)/ Creatinine (P<0,001) ratio. The Chianina cows exhibited the best physiological parameters and the highest adaptability to the conditions. The Marchigiana cows exhibited alimentary discomfort associated with lower glucose levels (2,992±0.225), higher creatinine levels (146.4±14.67), and lower BUN (2,026±0.090) and BUN/Crea ratio levels (14.75±1.688). The worst physiological markers, demonstrating poor digestion of the pasture grass at the end of the grazing period and starvation, were exhibited by the Blonde d'Aquitaine breed- glucose (2,255±0,143), BUN (1,152±0,055), BUN/Crea (8,764±0,821). Higher total blood protein (85,15- 88,50 g/L) against high globulin (57,03- 57,42) and tCO₂ (27,23-29,81), and negligibly lowered Na levels were reported for the cows of the three breeds. The remaining parameters tested, including ALB, TB, Crea, ALT, AMY, ALP, Ca, P, Mg, K, and Cl-, were within physiological norms.

Keywords: Beef cattle; biochemical analysis; feeding; grazing

Citation: Nikolov, V., Malinova, R. & Karamfilov, S. (2025). Physiological status of cow breeds Blonde d’Aquitaine, Chianina, and Marchigiana, which undergo a transition from summer to winter feeding. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 31(5), 1019–1024

Date published: 2025-10-28