Growth performance, haematological traits, meat variables, and effects of treadmill and transport stress in veal calves supplied different amounts of iron.
Effects of serum iron (Fe), haematological variables and on blood lactate levels before and after treadmill exercise or transport to the slaughterhouse, on meat traits, and on growth performance of feeding milk replacer (MR), planned to contain 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 80 mg Fe/kg, were studied in veal calves. If supplied less than 50 mg Fe/kg MR, calves developed hypoferraemia and anaemia, the degree of which was dependent on Fe intake. Serum Fe concentration, saturation of transferrin with Fe and the degree of anaemia in calves fed 20 or 10 mg Fe/kg MR were nearly identical. Serum Fe concentration and haematological traits barely changed in calves fed 50 mg Fe/kg MR during the growth trail, but serum Fe concentration increased when MR contained 80 mg Fe/kg in calves fed 50 or more Fe/kg MR. Growth performance was smaller in calves fed 10 mg Fe/kg MR than in those fed greater amounts of Fe/kg MR. Carcass taxation was inversely related to Fe intake. In conclusion, MR containing only 10 mg Fe/kg caused marked anaemia and reduced growth performance. Feeding MR with only 20 mg Fe/kg is not necessarily sufficient to prevent development of severe anaemia. Feeding MR with 50 mg Fe/kg would seem to be physiologically the most appropriate amount of Fe for veal calves, but was too high for acceptable carcass taxation.
Lindt
F
F
Division of Nutrition Pathology, University of Berne, Switzerland.
Blum
J W
JW
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000662:veterinary; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D014186:Transportation
D007501:Iron