In order to establish the influence of gestation and puerperium on the lipid profile of Holstein cattle, the concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxibutyrate (β-HBO), and glucose were determined in samples of serum and plasma from 80 animals distributed into five experimental groups (G): G1 - 16 non pregnant females; G2 - 18 females in the initial phase of gestation, up to three months; G3 -15 pregnant females, with gestation from three to six months; G4 - 15 females in the last stage of gestation, from six to nine months; G5 - 16 females soon after delivering, up to 30 days in puerperium. The lipid profile of healthy Holstein cows was influenced by gestation. The concentration of NEFA was higher in the last trimester of gestation while the serum concentration of β-HBO was higher in the first trimester of gestation. In the first 30 days after delivering, the concentrations of NEFA and β-HBO were higher, while those of triglycerides were lower when compared to those of cows during gestation.
bovine; lipid profile; gestation; Holstein
