The aim of this study was to determine the levels of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, globulin, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) during pregnancy and postpartum periods. As material, 12 cows from 3-8 years of age were used. Biochemical parameters were analysed by using commercial kits at the atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Olympus AU 600 model).

Although total protein, albumin, globulin and LDL-C levels decreased at parturation than the prepartum stage, no statistical difference (P>0.05) was observed. Cholesterol level exhibited decrease trends after the 6^th month of pregnancy reaching the lowest level at parturation. The values of 6 and 7 months were higher than postpartum (P<0.05). Levels of triglyceride in postpartum were lower than prepartum (P<0.001). Serum HDL-C levels increased towards the end of pregnancy and decreased again after parturation (P<0.05). Levels of VLDL-C at prepartum and pospartum stages did not change (P>0.05). Insignificant increases were found for serum ALT, AST and LDH levels during pregnancy, compared with postpartum period (P>0.05). Serum CK level increased significantly after parturition (P<0.05).

In conclusion, it was seen that HDL-C and CK levels increased while cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased at parturition than pregnancy. Total protein, albumin, globulin, LDL-C, VLDL-C, ALT, AST and LDH levels didnot show significant difference before and after parturition.