Eight lactating buffaloes of the Murrah breed were used from 60 days before up to 60 days after calving, in order to evaluate alterations in the concentration of blood glucose, total plasmatic protein, haematocrit and the presence of ketonic bodies in the urine. The 5 to 10- year old buffaloes were clinically healthy and had had at least two lactations. During the experimental period the animals were maintained on Brachiaria brizantha pasture and supplemented with a mineral mixture and water.The media concentrations of blood glucose and the media values of the haematocrit diminished significantly after calving (p<0,05). The concentrations of total plasmatic protein did not show significant variation during the pre and post-calving period. The ketonic bodies in the pre-calving period were only detected in the urine of one buffaloe, but after the 32nd day of lactation ketonic bodies were detected in all animals. There was a direct relationship between the color of the urine positive by the Rothera test and blood glucose concentrations. It can be concluded that at the beginning of lactation the buffaloes had an energetic deficit, characterized by a decline of blood glucose concentrations and the presence of ketonic bodies in the urine, and that lactation caused a progressive decline of the hematocrit, but that the concentration of total plasmatic protein did not vary during the pre and post-calving period.
Buffaloes; ketonic bodies; lactation; metabolic perfil; urine
