BLOOD-SERUM TRANSFERRIN CONCENTRATION IN CATTLE IN VARIOUS PHYSIOLOGICAL STATES, IN VEAL CALVES FED DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF IRON, AND IN CATTLE AFFECTED BY INFECTIOUS AND NONINFECTIOUS DISEASES

Transferrin (Tf) concentrations were determined in cattle in various p hysiological states, in energy-deficient (ketotic) cows, in situations of several acute and chronic infections, after endotoxin administrati on and in animals with bovine leucocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD). Tf concentrations varied between 1.5 and 8.5 g/l and in healthy animals were in the range of 2.0 and 6.6 g/l. Tf concentrations in adult anima ls were smaller than in young animals and increased in veal calves wit h iron deficiency above 8 g/l, resulting in a negative correlation bet ween Hb and Tf. In veal calves total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and Tf concentration were rather closely correlated (r = 0.63). Chronic in fectious diseases (such as paratuberculosis) were characterized by rel atively low Tf levels (below 2 g/l), while during acute infections, af ter endotoxin-administration and during ketosis Tf concentrations were not changed.