Ferritin in Blood Serum of Dairy Cows

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Abstract
Concentration of ferritin in blood serum of dairy cows was measured by a 2-site immunoradiometric assay to assess changes in the Fe nutritional status during gestation, parturition and lactation. Although anemia did not occur in pregnancy of dairy cows, there were slight decreases of red cell counts, Hb and hematocrit in the early stage of lactation. Feritin concentration remained relatively constant in late gestation (35 ng/ml), but deviations were considerable. Ferritin rose gradually from 3 days prepartum with a sharp elevation after parturition. At 1-2 wk postpartum it had increased to about twice amounts in late gestation. During the subsequent 8 wk postpartum, it fell gradually and thereafter maintained almost unchanged (40 ng/ml). Both Fe in blood serum and total Fe-binding capacity declined from 2 wk prepartum to the end of gestation but showed a rise beginning approximately 2 wk after parturition. Because changes in Fe-related proteins just before and after delivery may be results of inflammatory reactions accompanying delivery, ferritin concentration is not a good index for diagnosis of Fe deficiency in lactating cows just after parturition.