Packed cell volumes of cattle exposed to controlled cold environmental temperatures
Olsen, J.D.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 34(4): 485-491
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 4693804 Document Number: 69415
Packed cell volume (PCV) was determined for 15 nonlactating, nonpregnant Holstein-Friesian cows (aged 2 to 7 years) exposed to different degrees (1 to minus 32 deg C) and duration (1 to 23 days) of controlled environmental temperatures after acclimation to 23, 4, and 1 deg C. Individual cows did not always respond in the same way to a given cold exposure. Except in one experiment, the PCV increased by 2 to 5% at some time during the cold exposure. A definite relationship between degree of cold exposure and relative increase in PCV could not be established. Other factors, such as excitement, especially at the start of the blood samples collecting period, may cause relative changes in PCV equal to, or greater than, that of cold exposure in most cattle.