Hemato-biochemical indices of Hanwoo cattle raised at different altitudes

The health status of three groups of Hanwoo steers (n = 157) aged 2-3 years, raised at three different altitudes (600 m, n = 50; 200-400 m, n = 58; plane land, n = 49) and environment with more or less similar management have been evaluated through hematological, biochemical and globulin examinations in order to determine the optimum environment suitable for raising cattle while at the same time minimizing the risk of disease. Five mL of blood samples from each animal were collected by jugular veinipuncture and 2 mL was transferred to a tube containing EDTA for complete blood count (CBC) and 3mL in lithium heparin for chemistry screening (CS) and immunoassay. Among the CBC parameters a significantly higher white blood cell count (tWBC), total red blood cell count (tRBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) were noticed in the high altitude groups, whereas those were lower in the plane land group. In the CS parameters higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and total bilirubin (TBL) were found in the plane land group, whereas those were lower in the high altitude groups. The total protein (significantly) and globulins were higher in the 600 m group. The results of this study revealed that the overall health status of the Hanwoo cattle based on the hemato-biochemical indices was superior in the highest altitude and inferior in the plane land group but all the parameters were within the reference range in all the groups. Therefore, for recommendation of a suitable environment at an appropriate altitude for raising cattle there need to be further studied along with the hemato-biochemical parameters; considering, breeding, feeding, management, marketing, waste disposal and other factors.