Evaluation of selected biochemical parameters of a group of calves after colostrum intake

Abstract

Objective

The aim of the presented study was to evaluate some selected biochemical values of a group of newborn Holstein calves after colostrum intake.

Material and methods

Fifteen newborn Holstein calves of both sexes fed with high quality (Brix≥22%) colostrum were participated in our study. Blood samples were taken at birth (before colostrum intake) and after 24^th hours of feeding with colostrum. Serum samples were analyzed with Reflotron Plus biochemistry device. Analysis results were evaluated at SigmaPlot statistical program.

Results

It was observed that gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), globulin (GLOB), total protein (TP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total cholesterol (TCHOL) concentrations increased, albumin (ALB) concentration and albumin/globulin ratio (ALB/GLOB) decreased and calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations did not change after colostrum consumption.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

Although TP, GLOB and GGT levels are commonly used to determine passive immunity status in calves, changes in ALB, AST and TCHOL levels and ALB/GLOB may also be used to determine passive immune transfer in calves.

Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel

Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, einige ausgewählte biochemische Werte von neugeborenen Holstein-Kälbern nach der Kolostrumaufnahme zu bewerten.

Material und Methoden

Fünfzehn neugeborene Holstein-Kälber beider Geschlechter, die mit hochwertigem Kolostrum (Brix≥22%) gefüttert wurden, nahmen an dieser Studie teil. Blutproben wurden bei der Geburt (vor der Kolostrumaufnahme) und 24 Stunden nach der Kolostrumfütterung entnommen. Die Serumproben wurden mit dem Reflotron Plus Biochemiegerät analysiert. Die Analyseergebnisse wurden im Statistikprogramm SigmaPlot ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Die Konzentrationen von Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT), Globulin (GLOB), Gesamtprotein (TP), Aspartat-Aminotransferase (AST) und Gesamtcholesterin (TCHOL) stiegen an, die Albumin (ALB)-Konzentration und das Albumin/Globulin-Verhältnis (ALB/GLOB) sanken und die Konzentrationen von Kalzium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphor (P) und Blut-Harnstoff-Stickstoff (BUN) veränderten sich nach dem Verzehr von Kolostrum nicht.

Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz

Obwohl die TP-, GLOB- und GGT-Konzentrationen üblicherweise zur Bestimmung des passiven Immunstatus bei Kälbern verwendet werden, können auch Veränderungen der ALB, AST und TCHOL-Konzentrationen sowie des Albumin/Globulin-Verhältnisses zur Bestimmung des passiven Immuntransfers bei Kälbern herangezogen werden.

Keywords

Colostrum - neonatal calves - albumin - cholesterol - passive transfer immunity

Schlüsselwörter

Kolostrum - neonatale Kälber - Albumin - Cholesterin - Passive Transferimmunität

Publication History

Received: 22 November 2024

Accepted: 29 January 2025

Article published online:
15 April 2025

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