PSI-14 Relationships of neonatal beef calf vigor with metabolic status

摘要

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships of neonatal beef calf behavior with calf serum metabolites. Angus, Hereford and crossbred beef females (n = 36; age = 4.0 ± 1.74; BCS = 6.5 ± 1.04; primiparous =5, multiparous = 31; calving date = April 4, 2018) and their calves were monitored continuously from 0 to 4 h post-parturition using a digital video recording system from March to May 2018. Jugular blood samples were obtained from calves at 24 (24.4 ± 1.73) and 48 to 72 (54.7 ± 9.08) h postnatal to determine serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and total protein (TP). Video was analyzed for behavior latencies calculated from time of birth to time when calf shakes head, kneels, attempts to stand, stands, and suckles. Time to stand had a weak positive correlation (P = 0.03) with time to suckle. Time to shake head had a moderate positive correlation (P ≤ 0.04) with both time to attempt to stand and time to stand, but did not correlate (P = 0.99) with time to suckle. Dam parity (multiparous or primiparous) did not affect (P ≥ 0.20) calf vigor measures. Time to suckle had a moderate negative correlation (P ≤ 0.05) with both serum glucose and total protein at 24 and 72 h, however did not correlate (P ≥ 0.31) with BUN or NEFA serum concentrations. In conclusion, the initial calf vigor measures were poor predictors of time to suckle; however, time to stand may be a viable vigor measure used to predict calf suckling. Further analysis of immunoglobulin G concentrations in calf serum will be used to determine if these vigor measures have a relationship with passive immune transfer in beef calves.