Carbohydrate Utilization in the Young Calf. I. Nutritive Value of Glucose, Corn Syrup and Lactose as Carbohydrate Sources in Synthetic Milk

Abstract

Summary Eighteen neonatal calves were allotted to three experimental groups and fed rations consisting of synthetic milks which varied only in the source of carbohydrate. The average gain in weight for the 31-day experimental period was 9.33lb. for glucose-fed calves ( G ), 8.66lb. for corn syrup-fed calves ( K ) and 18.66lb. for lactose-fed calves ( L ). The efficiency of feed utilization, expressed as the average of gain per pound of dry matter consumed, was 0.234, 0.142 and 0.384 for the G , K and L groups, respectively. Within the subgroups, 10 and 30 per cent corn syrup produced fair results, while 45 per cent was unsatisfactory. There was little difference in weight gains in response to lactose at the 5, 10 and 30 per cent levels. Analysis of blood at weekly intervals for hematocrit, hemoglobin and plasma calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium and ascorbic acid showed no apparent departure from the normal. Examination of rumen samples for microorganisms revealed that individual differences were greater than differences between groups. On post-mortem examination, pneumonia, patchy congestion of the intestinal tract, abomasal petechial hemorrhages and ulceration about the pylorus were observed less frequently in the L than in G and K groups, while focal interstitial nephritis occurred indiscriminately in all groups.