Changes in Plasma FFA, Glucose, Fructose and Lactate Levels during the first Two Hours after Birth in Calves

Abstract

In 22 Holstein calves of both sexes born in -7-28°C of ambient temperature, venous blood samples were taken and rectum temperature was measured at birth and 15 minutes' intervals during the first 2 hours when the calves were isolated from their dams. Free fatty acid (FFA), glucose, fructose and lactate of blood plasma were estimated. Plasma FFA and glucose levels were minimal at birth. Then, FFA level was elevated rapidly within an hour and remained maximum level till 2 hours after birth, however, plasma glucose level reached the maximum level within 45 minutes and showed a gradual decrease, thereafter. At birth, plasma fructose level was higher than glucose in 18 calves and showed to decrease slowly during the first 2 hours of life. Plasma lactate level was very high at birth and decreased gradually. In 18 calves, rectum temperature at birth was higher than that of their dams, and in the remaining 4 calves, it was nearly the same or slightly lower than that of dams. During the first 2 hours after birth, rectum temperature increased slightly in 8 calves and showed to decrease in the remaining 14 calves. Comparing the postnatal changes in plasma metabolite levels by dividing into 3 groups on ambient temperature (-7-0, 1-10 and 14-28°C), postnatal increase in plasma FFA level was smaller in calves born in comparatively warm environment (14-28°C) than those in the others. However, the relationships between the ambient temperature and the postnatal changes in other metabolite levels were not clear.