Serum biochemical and hematological reference values for lactating buffaloes

Serum biochemical and hematological reference values are used to establish normality and to diagnose disease and physiological alterations. Up till now, there are no reference values for different blood biochemical and hematological variables in buffaloes, consequently the current study aimed to establish those reference values in non-pregnant lactating buffaloes. In total, 202 lactating buffaloes (5–10 years old) were examined at buffalo farms that belong to Assiut Governorate, Egypt. Seventy buffaloes did not meet the selection criteria and were excluded from study. The remaining buffaloes (N = 132) were included in the study. A total of 55 hematological and serum biochemical constituents were measured in blood of lactating buffaloes. Mean reference values, reference intervals (2.5 and 97.5 percentiles) and their 90 % confidence intervals, for the measured hematological and serum biochemical constituents were statistically calculated. It could be concluded that reference values for hematological and serum biochemical constituents in lactating buffaloes were estimated in this study, these values will be helpful in interpreting laboratory results, diagnosis of diseases, and checking the health status of non-pregnant lactating buffaloes.