Indicators of the Internal Environment of Gasconne Calves during Rearing

Abstract

Selected indicators of the internal environment were determined in 11 bulls and 11 heifers of the Gasconne breed. Blood was sampled and the live weight was recorded on a regular basis at ages of 64, 99, 127, 155, 190, 216 and 253 days. Plasma concentrations of total proteins, urea, glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, total bilirubin, activity of alkaline phosphatase, alanine- and aspartate aminotransferase, concentrations of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc and copper were assessed. The effects of sex (p < 0.01) on changes in the concentration of total proteins, urea and total cholesterol (p < 0.05) were found. Enhanced growth intensity had a positive effect on the concentration of total cholesterol (r = 0.52; p < 0.05) but a negative correlation was detected between the growth intensity and activity of ALT (r = -0.50; p < 0.05), AST (r = -0.46; p < 0.05), and magnesium (r = -0.35; p < 0.05). The age of the animals affected the concentration of plasma triodothyronine (r = -0.45; p < 0.05), ALP (r = -0.64; p < 0.05), urea (r = -0.66; p < 0.05) and iron (r = -0.34; p < 0.05). The indicators of internal environment determined in this study were within the physiological range and therefore helped to specify the health and nutritional status of animals reared in extensive suckling cows systems.