CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID CONSTITUENTS COLLECTED AT THE ATLANTOOCCIPITAL SITE OF XYLAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE SEDATED, HEALTHY 8-WEEK-OLD HOLSTEIN CALVES

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected at the atlanto-occipital site and serum were obtained from 10 male, 8-week-old, Holstein calves after se dation with xylazine hydrochloride. Glucose, creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase, urea nitrogen, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, and albumin were determined in ser um and CSF. Optical characteristics, specific gravity, total red blood fell and nucleated cell counts and differentials were also evaluated in the CSF. Additionally, CSF protein electrophoresis and immunoglobul in concentrations were determined. Then, albumin quotients (AQ) were d erived. Erythrocytes were observed in 9 of 10 CSF samples. Total nucle ated cell counts ranged from 0-10 cells x 10(6)/L with a mean of 3 cel ls x 10(6)/L. Differential nucleated cell count in the CSF consisted p rimarily of lymphocytes/small mononuclear cells (57%), fewer monocytes /large mononuclear cells (35%), and scant neutrophils (4%) and eosinop hils (8.05%). The concentration of sodium (134 to 139 mEq/L) was simil ar to that of serum, but the concentration of potassium (2.8 to 3 mEq/ L) was lower than that of serum. Creatine kinase activity (0 to 4 U/L) of CSF was markedly lower than serum activity, The CSF glucose concen tration was approximately 80% of the serum value. Cerebrospinal fluid total protein concentration determined by electrophoresis ranged from 110 to 330 mg/L with a mean of 159 mg/L. Cerebrospinal fluid albumin r anged from 38 to 209 mg/L with a mean of 56 mg/L, In all CSF samples, radial immunodiffusion of unaltered CSF and concentrated CSF (four-fol d concentration) revealed quantities undetectable try the present tech niques in which the lowest standard values for IgG1, IgG, and IgM dete rminations was 70 mg/L and IgG2 was 30 mg/L. The albumin quotient rang ed from 0.15 to 0.65 with a mean of 0.25. Based on the results of this study, CSF may be collected at the atlanto-occipital site safely and efficiently in calves, and reported values for CSF from adult cattle m ay not be suitable for evaluation of CSF collected from immature cattl e.