Changes in Body Weight Gain and Blood Hormonal Levels in Relation to Change in Age of Egyptian Male Buffaloes Calves from Birthing to Puberty

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine the changes in blood hormonal levels and blood profile in relation to the change in each of age, live body weight and body weight gain of Egyptian male buffaloes calves from birthing to 24 months of age. The present study was carried out on 10 male buffalo calves from birthing until 24 months of age. The animals were weighed at birth, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months before the morning feed and daily body weight gain (DBWG) was calculated for 0-3, 3-6, 6-12, 12-18, 18-24 and 0-24 months. During weighing the calves, 0ne blood sample from the Jugular vein of each calf was withdrawn to estimate thyroxin (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), cortisol, testosterone and aldosterone hormonal levels as well as glucose and protein fractions. Results showed that live body weight (LBW) of calves was increased gradually from birthing to reach to 592.8 kg after 24 months of age. The lowest DBWG of buffalo calves values were through the first 3 months after birthing and the period from 18-24 months of age while the highest DBWG values were during the period from 6 to 18 months of age. The highest level of T4 and T3 were at birth and decreased significantly at weaning. The lowest cortisol level was at birth while the highest cortisol value was at weaning and after 24 months of age. The highest level of aldoserone was at birth and at weaning. From 6 months of age up to 24 months, T4, T3 and aldosterone level was not affected significantly due to the change in age of calves. Testosterone level increased progressively with increase the age of buffalo calves. T4, T3 and aldosterone hormones have negative significant correlations while testosterone level has a highly positive correlation with each of age, LBW and DBG of buffalo calves. Glucose level decreased significantly with increasing the age of calves. Glucose and globulin levels have a negative significant correlation with each of age, LBW and DBG of buffalo calves. It can be concluded from this study that the changes in blood hormonal levels, especially, testosterone, T4, T3 and aldosterone as well as glucose and globulin concentrations are in relation to the change in each of age, live body weight and body weight gain of Egyptian male buffaloes calves from birth to 24 months of age.