Study of the correlation between blood BHBA level and concentrate intake in calves

Subject Areas : Journal of Comparative Pathobiology

محسن Davoudabady ¹ , آریا Badie ² , A.R Shaghayegh ³ , فرهاد Moosakhani ⁴ , ابوالفضل Zarei ⁵

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Received: 2010-06-26 Accepted : 2010-10-25 Published : 2010-05-22

Keywords: Beta - hydroxybutyric acid, concentrate, dairy calf,

Abstract :

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in ruminants. As a result of microbial fermentationof carbohydrates in the rumen, volatile fatty acids are produced (Acetic acid, Butyric acid,Propionic acid) which are absorbed from the ruminal wall and supply up to 75% of the requiredenergy of the animal.This study was performed on 42 Holstein calves (24 males and 18 females). Blood samples weretaken weekly to evaluate blood BHBA levels. Other data about these calves such as body weight(BW) and the concentrate intake level per week was recorded at the same time. All collecteddata were analyzed by using standard software (SPSS 15.0 for Windows, SPSS, Chicago,Illinois, USA). Values of P<0.05 were considered to indicate a statistically significantdifference. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed a statistically significant differencebetween mean beta-hydroxybutyric acid levels in male and female calves in the period of thestudy. In logistic regression model, if beta-hydroxybutyric acid level is considered as adependent variable and body weight and concentrate intake level are considered as independentvariables, a statistically significant correlation is seen between these three variables as shownbelow:BHBA = 0.016 + (0.00003 × Concentrate Intake level) + (0.002 × BW)According to the results of this study, it is cleared that concentrate intake level has a significantcorrelation with BHBA levels and BHBA level has a positive direct effect on maturation ofruminal epithelium and papillae. By increasing of concentrate intake levels and blood BHBAlevels, maturation of ruminal epithelium and weaning of the calf occurs earlier. In calves thathad diarrhea or suffer from any other illness, blood BHBA levels were decreased as a result oflower level of concentrate intake.