DELAYING COLOSTRUM INTAKE BY ONE-DAY HAS IMPORTANT EFFECTS ON METABOLIC TRAITS AND ON GASTROINTESTINAL AND METABOLIC HORMONES IN NEONATAL CALVES

Effects on metabolic and endocrine traits of feeding colostrum on d 1 and 2, then mature milk up to d 7, or glucose or water on d 1, colostr um on d 2 and 3 and then mature milk up to d 7 were studied in calves. Calves fed colostrum within the first 24 h after birth had significan tly higher rectal temperatures, heart rates and respiratory frequencie s than calves provided only water or glucose. Significantly elevated p lasma nonesterified fatty acid and bilirubin concentrations on d 1 and 2 of life in calves fed only water on d 1 compared with calves of the other groups mirrored reduced energy intake. Fecal consistency was si gnificantly higher during wk I of life, and gastrin and glucose-depend ent insulinotropic polypeptide increased only on d 1 and/or 2 of life in calves already fed colostrum on d 1, expressing improved functionin g of the gastrointestinal tract. Significantly higher plasma globulin levels up to d 7 in calves fed colostrum on d 1 than in those starting colostrum intake only on d 2 demonstrated significantly enhanced effi ciency of gamma-globulin absorption. Furthermore, significantly higher circulating glucose, albumin, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I c oncentrations and significantly lower urea levels in calves fed colost rum on d 1 compared with those fed colostrum starting on d 2 of life i ndicated stimulation of anabolic processes. In conclusion, colostrum i ntake by calves within the first 24 h of life is needed not only for a n adequate immune status, but also to produce the additional important and favorable effects on metabolic and endocrine traits and on vitali ty.