Research Article

Evaluation of the Relationships Between Homocysteine, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Acid-Base Parameters in Neonatal Calves with Diarrhea

Volume: 19 Number: 3 September 15, 2026
EN TR

Evaluation of the Relationships Between Homocysteine, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Acid-Base Parameters in Neonatal Calves with Diarrhea

Abstract

This study aimed to comparatively evaluate alterations in homocysteine, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), blood gas, electrolyte, and acid-base parameters in diarrheic calves during the neonatal period relative to healthy calves, and to investigate the relationships among these parameters. Within the scope of the study, blood samples obtained from a total of 40 calves, comprising 20 diarrheic and 20 healthy animals, were analyzed using hematological, blood gas, and ELISA methodologies. Upon examining the findings, bicarbonate (〖"HCO" 〗_3^-) and base excess (BE) values were observed to be significantly lower, whereas the anion gap (AG) value was higher in the diarrheic group compared to the control group. It was determined that 〖"pCO" 〗_2 levels, reflecting acid-base compensation, decreased in the diarrheic group, and blood pH values were detected to be statistically significantly lower in the diarrheic group than in the control group (p=0.020). Regarding electrolyte levels, no significant difference was identified between the groups. Furthermore, the NLR, a systemic inflammation indicator, increased prominently in diarrheic calves; conversely, homocysteine levels were lower compared to healthy calves, and a positive correlation was identified between homocysteine and BE. In conclusion, it is indicated that metabolic acidosis and systemic inflammation develop at the cellular level in diarrheic calves; however, despite the compensatory respiratory response provided by the decreased 〖"pCO" 〗_2, the blood pH value could not be stabilized, leading to a clinical acidemia profile. Accompanied by an electrolyte profile suggesting that renal perfusion was preserved, the lower homocysteine levels are evaluated to potentially stem from the suppression of this molecule's synthesis by the tissue-level acidosis profile.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted with the approval of the Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments at Afyon Kocatepe University (Ref. No: 49533702/51).

References

  1. Akyüz, E., Sezer, M., Kuru, M., & Naseri, A. (2022). *Changes in hematology, some clinical biochemical parameters and mineral levels in neonatal calves with sepsis due to diarrhea.* Van Veterinary Journal, 33(1), 26-30. https://doi.org/10.36483/vanvetj.1066050
  2. Arnadotir, M., Hultberg, B., Nilsson-Ehle, P., Thysell, H. (1996). *The effect reduced glomerular filtration rate on plasma total homocysteine concentration.* Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, 56(1), 41-46. https://doi.org/10.3109/00365519609088586
  3. Aydoğdu, U., Baydar, E., & Kaan Ünal, B. (2024). *Evaluation of fecal calprotectin levels in neonatal calves with diarrhea.* Veterinarski arhiv, 94(6), 441-448. https://doi.org/10.24099/vet.arhiv.2439
  4. Boccardo, A., Sala, G., Ferrulli, V., & Pravettoni, D. (2021). *Cut-off values for predictors associated with outcome in dairy calves suffering from neonatal calf diarrhea. A retrospective study of 605 cases.* Livestock Science, 245(3), 104407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104407
  5. César Betancur, H., Martínez A, Y., & Cruz M, L. (2015). *Physiology of acid-base balance in bovines with diarrhea backgrounds from Monteria, Colombia.* Revista MVZ Córdoba, 20(2), 4591-4601. https://doi.org/10.21897/rmvz.62
  6. Chauveau, P., Chadefaux, B., Coude, M., Aupetit, J., Hannedouche, T., Kamoun, P., Jungers, P. (1993). *Hyperhomocysteinemia, a risk factor for atherosclerosis in chronic uremic patients.* Kidney International Supplement, 41, 72-77.
  7. Constable, P. D., Hinchcliff, K. W., Done, S. H., & Grünberg, W. (2017). *Veterinary Medicine: A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs, and Goats* (11th ed.). Elsevier.
  8. Çayır, C., & Kozat, S. (2016). *Investigation of homocysteine levels in healthy dogs.* Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, 4(3), 305-310. https://doi.org/10.15744/2348-9790.4.305

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Internal Medicine

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 15, 2026

Submission Date

July 1, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 19 Number: 3

APA
Tunç, A. C., & Bayendur, S. H. (2026). Evaluation of the Relationships Between Homocysteine, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Acid-Base Parameters in Neonatal Calves with Diarrhea. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal, 19(3), 305-315. https://doi.org/10.30607/kvj.1983465
AMA
1.Tunç AC, Bayendur SH. Evaluation of the Relationships Between Homocysteine, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Acid-Base Parameters in Neonatal Calves with Diarrhea. kvj. 2026;19(3):305-315. doi:10.30607/kvj.1983465
Chicago
Tunç, Ahmet Cihat, and Sercan Hüseyin Bayendur. 2026. “Evaluation of the Relationships Between Homocysteine, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Acid-Base Parameters in Neonatal Calves With Diarrhea”. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal 19 (3): 305-15. https://doi.org/10.30607/kvj.1983465.
EndNote
Tunç AC, Bayendur SH (September 1, 2026) Evaluation of the Relationships Between Homocysteine, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Acid-Base Parameters in Neonatal Calves with Diarrhea. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal 19 3 305–315.
IEEE
[1]A. C. Tunç and S. H. Bayendur, “Evaluation of the Relationships Between Homocysteine, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Acid-Base Parameters in Neonatal Calves with Diarrhea”, kvj, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 305–315, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.30607/kvj.1983465.
ISNAD
Tunç, Ahmet Cihat - Bayendur, Sercan Hüseyin. “Evaluation of the Relationships Between Homocysteine, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Acid-Base Parameters in Neonatal Calves With Diarrhea”. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal 19/3 (September 1, 2026): 305-315. https://doi.org/10.30607/kvj.1983465.
JAMA
1.Tunç AC, Bayendur SH. Evaluation of the Relationships Between Homocysteine, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Acid-Base Parameters in Neonatal Calves with Diarrhea. kvj. 2026;19:305–315.
MLA
Tunç, Ahmet Cihat, and Sercan Hüseyin Bayendur. “Evaluation of the Relationships Between Homocysteine, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Acid-Base Parameters in Neonatal Calves With Diarrhea”. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal, vol. 19, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 305-1, doi:10.30607/kvj.1983465.
Vancouver
1.Ahmet Cihat Tunç, Sercan Hüseyin Bayendur. Evaluation of the Relationships Between Homocysteine, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Acid-Base Parameters in Neonatal Calves with Diarrhea. kvj. 2026 Sep. 1;19(3):305-1. doi:10.30607/kvj.1983465