Metabolic traits affecting growth rates of pre-pubertal calves and their relationship with subsequent survival.
This study related growth and metabolic traits in Holstein-Friesian calves (n=45) to subsequent performance and longevity. Animals were measured at birth, 3, 6 and 9 months (weight, crown rump length (CRL), heart girth and height). Endocrine and metabolic traits were assessed at 6 months of age. These traits were not influenced by sire (n=5). Milk production and mortality records were obtained through 3 lactations. Seven heifers failed to achieve a lactation, 6 were culled after one, 17 after two and 15 (33%) survived >/=3 lactations. Birth weight and girth but not skeletal measures were highly positively correlated with the repeated size measurements at 3-9 months. Calves with higher cortisol at 6 months were smaller in weight and girth at 3 months, with reduced 3-6 months skeletal growth. GH secretion was related to height, weight and growth, whereas urea was most strongly related to CRL. Calves not achieving a single lactation had lower IGF-I. Calves with higher glucose or BHB were more likely to be culled after 2 lactations, an effect which was independent of yield. Size and metabolic measurements of growing calves may therefore prove useful in predicting longevity.
Swali
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Reproduction Group, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.
Cheng
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Bourne
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Wathes
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D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D049628:Body Size / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D007774:Lactation; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D014508:Urea; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone