Hemogram and serum biochemistry (aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamiltransferase, total protein, urea, creatinine, calcium and phosphorus) were performed weekly in five crossbreed bovine after consumption of a diet containing citrus pulp pellets (40%), for 43 days. Percutaneous hepatic biopsy and histologic evaluation were performed in each animal before and after consumption of the citrus pulp diet. Hemogram, the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamiltransferase, urea and creatinine had normal levels at the end of the experiment. No histologic lesions were observed in liver samples before or after citrus pulp consumption. However, there was an increase of serum phosphorus and reduction of serum calcium (p<0.05), without hypercalcemia, after consumption of citrus pulp diet. There was also an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase (p<0.05), probably induced by bone isoenzyme.
cattle; citrus pulp; hemogram; serum biochemistry; hepatic histology
