Effect of Age and of Dietary Regime on Hemoglobin and Reducing-Sugar Levels in the Blood of Dairy Calves1,2

Abstract

Summary Twelve male and 12 female Holstein calves were fed limited whole milk for 6 wk. and liquid milk replacer for from 3 to 12 wk. by nipple pail. Half the calves of each sex received a milk replacer containing dried skimmilk, dextrose, distillers dried solubles, and soybean oil meal; the others received a similar replacer minus the distillers solubles. Hay and starter were fed to females for 12 wk. and to males after 7 wk. The males were on screens (no bedding) for the first 7 wk. Hemoglobin levels in the females declined to 5 wk. and increased thereafter; values for the males declined for 9 wk. Hemoglobin values for calves fed distillers dried solubles were significantly higher than those for the other calves. Whole blood reducing-sugar values declined for 8 wk., and limiting some of the calves (males) to a liquid diet fed by nipple did not alter appreciably the nature of these trends. Most of the reducing sugar was in the plasma, where trends were similar to those of whole blood. Packed-cell volumes were relatively constant, but reducing-sugar content of the cells decreased steadily and approached zero at 8 wk.