This research aimed to evaluate the changes in the white blood cell count and some serum proteins of confined cattle (CC) and grass cattle (GC). From the 120 blood samples collected, 60 were obtained from confined Nelore male bovines and 60 from animals with the same characteristics but managed extensively. Samples were obtained at the moment of slaughter. Parameters studied were the white blood cell count, serum albumin/globulin ratio and concentration of plasma fibrinogen. Descriptive statistics was used in the analysis of the data, and the averages, standard deviation and coefficient of variation calculated for all parameters evaluated. The comparisons between averages were made by non-parametric test. The grazing cattle showed higher levels of globulin and fibrinogen when compared to the confined ones (globulin: GC=3.29g dL-1±0.76; CC=2.99g dL-1±0.60 and Fibrinogen: GC=872mg dL-1±610; CC=633mg dL-1±319). The total number of white blood cells mL-1 was 7.64±2.15 in confined cattle and 7.72±1.84 in grazing cattle. There was no significant difference between this variable and differential white blood cell count as well as the total serum protein (g dL-1) from grazing cattle (6.10±0.53) and confined cattle (5.96±0.49). The level of albumin from confined cattle (3.01g dL-1± 0.43) and the A/G ratio (1.07±8.91) were greater when compared to the grazing bovines (2.82g dL-1±0.45) and (0.95±0.38) respectively. The higher serum levels of albumin found in confined herd suggest that they were subjected to a more adequate nutritional diet. The constant immunological challenge suffered by the GC could be responsible for the elevated serum levels of globulin and fibrinogen. These results showed that although feedlots present a stressful environment they did not show any blood alterations correlated to this fact.
bovine; feedlot; leukocytes; plasma proteins
