Abstract
The objective was to determine whether maternal nut ritional status and milk production during early gestation influenced or were correlated with parame ters of the calf at birth and at 1 month of age. Fr om parturition until 90 days pregnant, blood samples w ere collected every 14 days in dairy cows and plasma was assayed for concentrations of glucose an d β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHBA). Calves (n = 39) born from these cows were measured for blood pressure and size characteristics as well as carotid artery hemodynamics measured via Doppler ultrasonography Pulsatility Index (PI) and Resistance Index (RI). Several values were then calculated to assess the cardiovascular health of the calf. The GLM and CORR procedures of SAS were used to analyze data and significance was determined when p≤0.05 and tendencies were discussed when p>0.05 and ≤0.10. In calves at birth, mean milk production of dams during early gestation was posit ively correlated with heart girth. Length of gestation was positively correlated with heart girt h of calves at birth and at 1 month of age. Mean concentration of glucose in dams was positively cor related with wither height in calves at 1 month of age. Length of gestation was negatively correlated with RI in calves at 1 month of age. Milk production in the dam was positively correlated wit h hip and wither height and PI but negatively correlated with mean arterial pressure in 1 month o ld calves. At birth, twins weighed less than singletons and females had an increased heart rate compared to males. At 1 month of age, size parameters and mean blood flow differed between singletons and twins. Males had lesser blood velocity but greater area of the carotid artery com pared to females. These data lead to speculation th at early gestational environment may impact growth and hemodynamic parameters in calves.
Highlights
Growth characteristics and cardiac function in a influence the growth of the placenta and fetus, from as young calf may affect health and production early as a few days after fertilization
Calves (n = 39) born from these cows were measured for blood pressure and size characteristics as well as carotid artery hemodynamics measured via Doppler ultrasonography Pulsatility Index (PI) and Resistance Index (RI)
Males had lesser blood velocity but greater area of the carotid artery compared to females. These data lead to speculation that early gestational environment may impact growth and hemodynamic parameters in calves
Summary
Growth characteristics and cardiac function in a influence the growth of the placenta and fetus, from as young calf may affect health and production early as a few days after fertilization. Undernutrition in early pregnancy followed by realimentation to adequate nutrition in later pregnancy alters placenta vascularity and blood flow to the uterus (Vonnahme et al, 2007; 2013) which may impact fetal growth and development. The implications of a negative energy balance or undernutrition in early lactation of dairy cows have not been investigated This insult in early gestation may or may not alter offspring characteristics at birth and later in life. The second objective was to determine if measurements collected from calves at birth and at 1 month of age were correlated. These results will facilitate the planning of future experiments designed to elucidate the mechanisms and impacts of undernutrition during early gestation on offspring
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