Alterations of metabolic profile of Holstein dairy calves following the intramuscular administration of dexamethasone and isoflupredone

Glucocorticoids have been used in large animal medicine for treating several disorders. But besides their therapeutic advantages, they have different side effects. Metabolic disturbances may be considered important following the administration of glucocorticoids because of their disadvantage in large animal medicine. Ten clinically healthy Holstein calves (6-8 months old) were assigned into 2 equal groups. Dexamethasone and isoflupredone were administered in each group separately at 1 mg/kg, on two consecutive days. Blood samples were taken at days 0 (1st drug administration), 1 (2nd drug administration), 2, 3, 5 and 7, from all studied animals. Glucose, β-hydroxybutyric acid, non-esterified fatty acid, cholesterol, triglyceride and high, low and very low density lipoprotein concentrations were detected in separated sera. All studied metabolic biomarkers significantly increased after both drugs administrations (P