Seasonal changes of clinical biochemistry of graded Nelore cows on continuous grazing of Brachiaria decumbens

A split plot design was carried out in order to study the clinical biochemistry of 20 graded Nelore cows on continuous grazing of Brachiaria decumbens on sandy (treatment A) or on clay soil (treatment B). The mean values for the blood components were glucose, 98.0 and 110.2 mg/dl; hemoglobin, 13.27 and 13.38 g/l; bilirubin, 0.718 and 0.661 mg/dl; and creatinine, 1.89 and 1.73 mg/dl, on treatments A and B, respectively. Albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and creatine kinase were also evaluated. The cows showed a metabolic profile similar to healthy-like animals, i.e., without anemia, jaudice, and renal disorder. It was not possible to detect abnormal liver function because of the need of inclusion of one specific liver enzyme in the clinical analysis. Muscular lesions were occasionally observed even though the cows seemed clinically healthy. Glucose, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels were higher during spring and summer (rainy season) than during fall and winter (dry season).