Influence of age on biochemical parameters in calves

Abstract

Thirty-six clinically healthy dairy calves were included in the research. All the calves were from the same farm. They were monitored from birth till 24 weeks of age. Blood samples were taken in the 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th , 6 th , 8 th , 12 th , 16 th , 20 th , and 24 th week of age. In blood serum, the concentrations of inorganic P (iP), Ca, K, Na, total serum protein (TSP), albumin (Alb) and activity of gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT) were measured. In 375 blood samples the average concentration of iP was 2.93 mmol/L, Ca 2.64 mmol/L, K 5.92 mmol/L, Na 145 mmol/L, TSP 58 g/L and Alb 32 g/L. The average activity of GGT amounted to 70 U/L. The phenotypic correlation between investigated parameters was calculated and showed a statistically high significant correlation between most parameters. Statistically insignificant correlation was established between Na and K, K and Alb, GGT and TSP, Ca and Alb, and also Ca and TSP. The age of calves influenced statistically significantly all the investigated parameters except Ca. The obtained average values of some parameters (GGT, TSP, iP) were different from normal values in adult animals, which has to be considered in the interpretation of the results.