Effect of TDN Levels of Concentrate Diet on Plasma Glucose Levels in Calves

Abstract

In the ruminant, blood glucose levels in young animals are higher than those of mature animals and these levels fall to adult value usually within 3 months of age1). It has been known that the blood glucose levels were affected by the methods of weaning2) and by the diets given3.4). But the glucose levels in whole blood are considerably different from those in plasma5), and the relationship between the TDN content of the diets and whole blood or plasma glucose levels has not been clarified enough in young calves.
In the present experiment, two concentrate diets containing 75% and 65% TDN were given to calves to determine the effect of different TDN levels of the diet on plasma glucose levels.