Alterations of Growth, Blood Biochemical Components and Hormone Profiles by Intensified Nutrition in Growth Retarded Japanese Black Cattle

Abstract

In order to determine the clinical condition of Japanese Black (JB) cattle with growth retardation, we determined the changes of body growth, blood profiles of metabolism and hormones by intensified nutrition (sufficient total digestible nutrients and digestible crude protein for the target dairy gain set at 1.2–1.3 kg/day) using three cases. The daily gain (DG) was increased during the intensified period (Intense) compared to the preparation period (Pre), but the DG in the Intense were 36–66% of the target DG. Serum albumin, total cholesterol, insulin and IGF-1 increased during the Intense compared to the Pre. Serum GH showed high levels in the Pre, whereas it showed lower levels in the Intense. These results suggested that the present growth retarded cattle had abnormalities in the metabolic systems and lacked nutrients absorption.