Evaluation of kidney functions in calves with neonatal diarrhea

Calf diarrhea is an important problem in terms of the livestock economy both in our country and in the world. Researchhas continued on function changes that may occur in various organs and systems due to diarrhea. This thesis study, it was aimed to evaluate the changes in kidney functions in calves with diarrhea. The animal material of the study consisted of 50 calves, including 30 calves with diarrhea (study group) and 20 healthy calves without any disease (control group). The causative agent was detected with the rapid test kit of the calves with clinical diarrhea, blood and urine samples were taken, and Renal Resistive Index (RRI) measurements were made by abdominal ultrasonography. After routine clinical examinations were made of healthy calves, blood and urine samples were taken and RRI measurements were made by abdominal ultrasonography. Complete blood count and blood gas analyses were performed from blood samples taken from both groups. Urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, albumin, Gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT), Ca, Mg, and P values of blood-serum and urine samples were measured by spectrophotometer. Urine samples were also evaluated with the commercial dipstick. Beta Hydroxy Butyric Acid (BHBA), Cystatin c (Cys-c), Interleukin - 8 (IL-8), Interleukin - 6 (IL-6), Interleukin - 18 (IL-18), Kidney damage molecule (KIM-1), Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and Retinol-binding protein (RBP) measurements were made by commercial ELISA kits from blood-serum samples.The results were evaluated by statistical analysis. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in RRI value (p<0.001), KIM-1, BUN, Ure, creatinine, Ca, Mg, P, and GGT (p<0.05) values. As a result, it has been revealed that renal resistive index measurement, which has a high correlation with biomarkers, is a fast and non-invasive method in the evaluation of kidney functions in calves, and kidney damage may develop in calves with enteritis.