VALUES OF THE SERUM COMPONENTS IN JAPANESE BLACK BEEF STEERS AT FARMSWITH HIGH PRODUCTIVITY AND LOW-FREQUENCIES OF DISEASE AND DEATH IN MIYAZAKI PREFECTURE

Few reference values for use in metabolic profile tests for the mainte nance of high productivity and the prevention of production diseases h ave been reported in Japanese Black beef cattle. To obtain basic data, 101 healthy steers at farms with high productivity and low frequencie s of disease and death in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, were examined fo r the values of their serum components in this preliminary study. At t he later fattening stage (5 to 20 months after introduction), statisti cally significant increases were observed in the mean serum activities of lactic dehydrogenase, glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, gamma-glut amyl transpeptidase, and creatine phosphokinase, the mean serum conten ts of triglyceride, total cholesterol, albumin (Alb), total protein, b lood urea nitrogen, magnesium, and vitamin E, and the mean serum calci um (Ca)/inorganic phosphorus (IF) ratio, and statistically significant decreases were seen in the mean serum alkaline phosphatase activity a nd the mean serum contents of glucose, IF, and vitamin A. The mean ser um Alb/globulin ratio and the mean serum Ca and nonesterified fatty ac ids contents demonstrated no statistically significant changes.