The influence of hoof diseases on the concentrations of some acute phase proteins and other variables of the protein profile in heifers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible influence of hoof diseases in heifers on the concentrations of selected acute phase proteins and some other variables related to protein metabolism in the blood. In the evaluation we included 35 heifers of a low-land black spotted breed and its crossbreeds, with pathological clinical findings on the hoofs. Blood samples were collected once, when the clinical signs of the disease were obvious. Blood samples were analyzed for haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), fibrinogen (Fbg), total proteins, albumin, creatinine, urea, and total immunoglobulins. The results obtained for sick animals were compared with those in 23 clinically healthy animals. In affected animals, the concentrations of Hp, SAA, and Fbg were significantly higher than in healthy animals (p<0.05, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). Moreover, in heifers with hoof diseases we found significantly higher total protein concentrations (p<0.05). On the other hand, serum concentrations of creatinine and urea showed a trend of significantly lower values in heifers affected by lameness (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). Concentrations of serum albumin and total immunoglobulins were not significantly different between healthy and sick animals. The presented data indicate an elevated production of acute phase proteins in heifers affected by hoof diseases and lameness, and suggest the usefulness of their measurement in the laboratory diagnosis of hoof diseases in cattle