Blood Serum Transferrin Concentration in Cattle in Various Physiological States, in Veal Calves Fed Different Amounts of Iron, and in Cattle Affected by Infectious and Non‐Infectious Diseases

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Abstract
Summary: Transferrin (Tf) concentrations were determined in cattle in various physiological states, in energy‐deficient (ketotic) cows, in situations of several acute and chronic infections, after endotoxin administration and in animals with bovine leucocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD). Tf concentrations varied between 1.5 and 8.5 g/l and in healthy animals were in the range of 2.0 and 6.6 g/l. Tf concentrations in adult animals were smaller than in young animals and increased in veal calves with iron deficiency above 8 g/l, resulting in a negative correlation between Hb and Tf. In veal calves total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and Tf concentration were rather closely correlated (r = 0.63). Chronic infectious diseases (such as paratuberculosis) were characterized by relatively low Tf levels (below 2 g/l), while during acute infections, after endotoxin‐administration and during ketosis Tf concentrations were not changed.