Carbohydrate, Enzyme, and Hematology Dynamics in Newborn Calves

¹ Department of Dairy Science, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster 44691

The dynamics of 25 blood constituents in newborn calves were monitored. Eight calves were immediately removed from dams following birth. Jugular blood samples for carbohydrate determinations were taken at birth (within 2 min), 1, 3, 6, 8, 12, 18, and 24 h and every 12 h until 144 h of age. Samples for blood chemistries were taken at birth, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 120, and 144 h. Colostrum was first fed at either 1 h (group 1) or 12 h (group 2) of age. At birth, plasma glucose concentrations were lower than the plasma fructose in both groups. Plasma glucose increased substantially from birth to 24 h, whereas fructose decreased to nondetectable concentrations by 18 h. Increases in insulin were associated with time of first feeding. Serum cortisol decreased rapidly from birth to 3 h for group 1 and at 15 h for group 2. Colostrum intake resulted in increased activities of serum alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and glutamic oxaloacetic trans-aminase at 6 h for group 1 and at 15 h for group 2. Activities of these enzymes decreased to "normal" values after 24-h samplings for group 1. Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase increased gradually in activity over the first 24 h in both groups and decreased after 24 h for group 1. Triglycerides and cholesterol increased from birth to 24 h in both groups and continued to increase in group 1 until 144 h. Creatinine decreased and bilirubin increased from birth to 24 h in both groups. These changes indicated that the newborn calves were undergoing many adaptive changes in relation to either maintenance of homeostasis or nutrient intake.

Key Words: blood chemistry • carbohydrates • bovine neonate

Submitted on October 1, 1990
Accepted on January 18, 1991

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