Validation of Electrochemical Biosensor based Hand-held Device for the Measurement of Blood Glucose in Lactating Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Background: Bovine ketosis is a major metabolic disorder emerging as a result of negative energy balance in the post calving period and subsequent lactation of lactating dairy animals. The measurement of the concentration of blood glucose was reported to be helpful for the early diagnosis of subclinical ketosis in buffaloes. Also, blood glucose will provide the overall energy status of the buffalo. Methods: The experiment was conducted on 56 healthy lactating Murrah buffaloes. Blood samples were collected in two slots for two consecutive days in the morning hour in an anticoagulant-added sodium fluoride bulb and in clot activator plain tubes by jugular venipuncture. Also, glucose concentration was measured by a handheld device (“Gluco One”, Model BG-03) by puncturing the small branches of the ear vein and the results were recorded. The estimation of blood glucose plasma and serum was done by standard laboratory enzymatic method i.e. Glucose Oxidase- Peroxidase (GOD-POD) on an automated chemistry analyzer. Result: There was no significant difference between the mean values of plasma glucose measured by the GOD-POD method and by the biosensor. But the regression analysis showed the blood glucose in plasma do not have a significant correlation with that measured by biosensor. The glucose measured in serum is significantly less than in plasma and measured by the biosensor. It is advisable to use fluoride-added preservative anticoagulant tubes and not to use a serum for the estimation of blood glucose.