Blood indices calves: relationship with mother values and changes in the first days of life

Abstract

To increase the knowledge on blood indices in calves, 47 pure bred and crossbred calves were studied in their first 14 days of life. Blood samples were taken at birth, from mothers and calves before colostrum administration, and till 14th day for metabolic profile determination. At birth, urea, glucose, haptoglobin, Ca, Na, Cl and K of mothers and calves were correlated, suggesting a transplacental passage. During first 2-3 days of life, globulin, GGT, GOT, ALP rose as consequence of colostrum intake and could be used as markers of its adequate administration.Changes of other parameters (Zn, albumin, cholesterol, besides haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin) are related to inflammatory conditions. However, the interpretation of typical inflammatory proteins appears difficult (e.g. high levels of haptoglobin at birth could depend by transplacental exchange or fetal synthesis; the rise of haptoglobin after birth seems related to the colostrum intake; the progressive rise of ceruloplasmin is influenced by an adaptation process) and the Zn reduction seems the better index of inflammation. Finally, genetic background seems also to influence blood indices (e.g. crossbred vs. pure bred showed higher PCV, Zn and haptoglobin levels).