Observations on suckler calves from the mother cow herd ingesting feed.Plasma and saliva cortisol, biochemical, metabolic variables and minerals[German]

摘要

On suckler calves from the mother cow herd measurements of plasma and saliva cortisol, total protein, albumin, blood urea, creatinine, Ca, Mg, P and Fe were done before and after contact with the dam. By means of acute body weight change calves were allocated to group 1 (G1) without and group 2 (G2) with feed ingestion. An effect of investigation could be observed with all variables except creatinine. Mean changes of plasma cortisol were not, those of saliva cortisol were significantly different between G1 and G2. Changes of plasma cortisol after contact with the dam showed strong correlations with the initial value before the contact. The concentrations of total protein and Mg were significantly smaller after feed intake. Changes of the variables were different in G1 and G2 concerning direction and amount and thus mean differences between G1 and G2 could be established in many cases. For all variables except P-cortisol and S-cortisol strong correlations were found before and after contact with the dam. Effects of feed ingestion on cortisol release and disposition were discussed under the viewpoint of interindividual variation of development quality and of regulatory mechanisms and functional capacities.