Effects of Age, Environments and Sex on Plasma Metabolite Levels in Young Holstein Calves

Thirty Holstein calves were used to determine effects of age, environment and sex on blood metabolite concentrations during 1 to 90 d of age. Calves were weaned at 75 d of age. Environmental effects are grouped by the difference in month at birth and site of feeding. Blood samples were obtained every 2 or 3 d. The mean metabolite concentration every 3 d was used for the statistical analysis. Dairy bodyweight gain was not affected by environmental group and sex effect. Concentrations of plasma glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglyceride, total cholesterol and total ketone changed with growth. These developmental changes in metabolite levels would be caused by ruminal maturation with increment of grain intake. Levels of plasma urea nitrogen, glucose, NEFA, triglyceride and total cholesterol drastically changed during a few weeks after birth, indicating that the physiological state in calves greatly changed during that time. Effects of the environmental group and sex were significant in almost all metabolites. Temperature influenced plasma metabolite concentrations. The plasma metabolite concentrations were affected more intensely by heat stress in the infant period than in the neonatal period. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 5 : 637-642)