Comparative Evaluation of Hormonal Status Between bTB Affected and Non-affected Dairy Cattle in Chattogram, Bangladesh

— Background: A cross-sectional study was done on dairy cattle in Chattogram, Bangladesh to compare the hormonal status between bTB (Bovine Tuberculosis) affected and apparently healthy cattle. Methods: The bTB was diagnosed by Caudal Fold Tuberculin Test (CFTT) followed by Comparative Intradermal Tuberculin Test (CITT). Results: By OIE recommended (≥4 mm) cut off value, 49 cattle were found positive from 846 cattle and 44 good quality serum samples were used for hormonal analysis. Same numbers of serum samples from apparently healthy cattle were used to compare the values. The study revealed that, thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) level was found moderately higher (T4, p=0.165; T3, p=0.082 and FT3, p=0.139) but insignificant in bTB positive cattle. Serum cortisol levels were slightly higher (p=0.349) in tuberculin positive cattle than the tuberculin negative cattle. Conclusion: All of these are preliminary findings and need further analyses to correlate with novel biochemical features and associated risk factors.