BLOOD MINERAL PROFILE IN NEWBORN CALVES WITH INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RETARDATION

Abstract

Widespread intrauterine growth retardation of embryo and fetal (IUGR) in cattle and its negative effects on postnatal growth and offspring health threaten the economic sustainability of livestock production. IUGR calves often exhibit birth weight deficits, early death, metabolic abnormalities, low growth rate, and poor feed utilization. Effective correction of these disorders is impossible without a detailed study of the causes, mechanisms of development and consequences of IUGR. In the present work, a comparative analysis of the content of macrominerals and trace elements in the blood of newborn Simmental calves with IUGR (Group I, n = 20) and the physiological course of pregnancy in their mothers (Group II, n = 20) was carried out. Blood for studies in calves was obtained at 1 day of age, before the 4th feeding of colostrum. The content of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium in blood serum samples and the content of iron, copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt and selenium in whole blood samples were studied by atomic absorption spectrometry (AA6300, Shimadzu, Japan). Group I calves had increased serum potassium (by 6.7%, P = 0.022) and magnesium (by 6.3%, P = 0.004) and decreased sodium (by 4.3%, P = 0. 005), reduced whole blood selenium (by 41.0%, P = 0.0001), copper (by 23.6%, P = 0.0001), and manganese (by 23.4%, P = 0.005) compared with Group II animals. The blood content of the other minerals studied did not differ significantly between the groups. The possible causes and consequences of the identified disorders of the mineral blood profile in newborn calves with IUGR were analyzed.