Friesian Holstein imported cows: Physiological character and blood composition base on altitude difference

Abstract

This experiment was to study the effect of altitude on physiological character and blood composition of Imported Friesian Holstein cows. Experiment was conducted in a highland area (Cangkringan) Sleman at 900 m above sea level and a low land area (Karangnongko) Klaten at 255 m above sea level. Twenty heads of first lactating Imported Friesian Holstein cows were used in this experiment, (ten heads in Cangkringan and ten heads in Karangnongko). Parameters observed were microclimatic which included: environment temperature and relative humidity; physiological character included: rectal temperature, pulse and respiration rate; blood composition included: RBC, Hb, WBC, TPP, PCV, neutrophyles, eosinophyles, lymphocytes and monocytes. Obtained data were analyzed in analysis variance with completely randomized design. The result showed that air temperatute were different (P< 0.05), and so were pulse and respiration rate of cows which higher in Karangnongko than in Cangkringan. The relative humidity and Hb in Karangnongko and Cangkringan were different (P< 0. 05) which higher in Cangkringan than Karangnongko. Rectal temperature , RBC, WBC, TPP, PCV, neutrophyles, eosinophyles, lymphocytes were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Rectal temperature and neutrophyles higher in Karangnongko than Cangkringan but : RBC, WBC, TPP, PCV, eosinophyles, lymphocytes higher in Cangkringan than Karangnongko. Different altitude were significantly difference in environment temperature, relative humidity, pulse rate, respiration rate, Hb and monocytes, but it not significantly difference in rectal temperature, RBC, WBC, TPP, PCV, neutrophyles, eosinophyles, lymphocytes. Imported dairy cows made good adaptation both in Cangkringan and Karangnongko, however in Cangkringan (high land) they made better it.