RESUMO
AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the alterations in the lipid profile, plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, total and direct bilirubin levels of neonatal calves with diarrhea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 calves with diarrhea as experimental group and 10 healthy calves as control group, 1-30 days old, were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein in tubes with anticoagulant agent to evaluate the concentration of triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), ALP, total and direct bilirubin. Very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were calculated according to the Friedewald formula. RESULTS: Significant increases in the plasma levels of ALP (p<0.05), total and direct bilirubin, triglycerides, and VLDL-C (p<0.01) were determined, whereas significant decreases in the levels of total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C (p<0.01) were observed in neonatal calves with diarrhea. CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, liver functions impaired and, therefore, lipid profile is affected negatively in neonatal calves with diarrhea.