Effect of extended colostrum feeding on the plasma profile of insulin, thyroid hormones and blood glucose of crossbred pre-ruminant calves.
In the present study, the effect of extended colostrum feeding on certain physiological and endocrinological parameters of pre-ruminant crossbred calves from birth to one month of age was investigated. Estimation of blood glucose level, plasma concentration of anabolic hormones as thyroid hormones and insulin were performed and compared with control calves (G-I) which were fed with colostrum for the first three days of age and thereafter with the whole milk, till 30 days of age. There was steady increase in the blood glucose level (BGL) from birth to one month of age in both groups of calves, with the rise being slightly higher in the calves of G-II group, which is attributed to the action of glucagon by gluconeogenesis especially in the neonates. Intake and absorption of increased amounts of dietary proteins and amino acids in colostrum stimulated a significant increase in the plasma insulin concentration in G-II calves compared to G-I calves, over and above the accelerated tissue development of pancreas. Fluctuating levels of thyroid hormones in plasma of calves of both the groups suggested that the concentration of thyroid hormones were not influenced either by extended colostrum or whole milk feeding in calves, but rather followed a diurnal rhythm.
Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur--678 054, Kerala.
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Babitha
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Philomina
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Dildeep
D000367:Age Factors; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D003126:Colostrum / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D013963:Thyroid Hormones