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There are limited published data in the bovine species on blood biological variables in response to intense work or after significant physical exertion. Lidia cattle, in addition to their exercise components, have some behavioral agonistic features that make them more susceptible to stress. The bullfight involves stress and exercise so intense that it causes significant changes in some metabolic variables. The study objective was to evaluate changes in blood biological variables in response to intense exercise and stress. After the fight in the arena, and once the bulls were dead (n = 438), blood samples were taken, and some biochemical and hormonal variables were determined in venous blood. A descriptive analysis was performed using the Statistica 8.0. computer program. The mean (±s.d.) results obtained were: total protein (85.8 ± 10.8 g/dL), albumin (3.74 ± 4.3 g/dL), triglycerides (39.65 ± 0.16 mg/dL), cholesterol (2.44 ± 0.03 mmol/L), glucose (22.2 ± 9.6 mmol/L), uric acid (340 ± 80 µmol/L), creatinine (236.9 ± 0.4 µmol/L), urea (5.93 ± 1.27 mmol/L), LDH (2828 ± 1975 IU/L), CK (6729 ± 10,931 IU/L), AST (495 ± 462 IU/L), ALP (90 ± 33 IU/L), GGT (50 ± 34 IU/L), ALT (59 ± 35 IU/L), cortisol (117.5 ± 46.6 nmol/L), and testosterone (20.2 ± 23.8 nmol/L). Most of the measured variables clearly increased; thus, we found severe hyperglycemia and increases in LDH, AST, GGT, and ALT enzymes, particularly in CK. The increases in all these variables are justified by the mobilization of energy sources, tissue/muscle damage, and dehydration due to continued stress and intense exercise.

The aim of the present study was to obtain reference values in bulls after an intense exercise situation quantifying some biological variables in venous blood. The descriptive analysis was carried out using Statistica 8.0 program and the values obtained were pH (6.81), PCO2 (67.81 mmHg), PO2 (22.58 mmHg), HCO3(-) (10.82 mEq/l), BE (-23.48 mEq/l), TCO2 (12.83 mEq/l), sO2 (17.50%) for blood gas, and for mineral Na, iCa and K were 146.96; 1.14 and 7.49 mmol/l respectively. Finally, the mean value of Htc was 43.522%, Hb 14.80. Following exercise, and compared with values considered as physiological in cattle, some blood variables in our study were decreased (blood pH, HCO3(-), BE, PO2 and sO2), some remained in the normal limit (Na, K, iCa, Htc) and the rest are increased (PCO2, Hb, lactate) comparing with when compared to normal reference values for the bovine species., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)