Wachstumsleistung und Anpassung von Saugkälbern aus der Mutterkuhhaltung mit einer unterschiedlichen Hämoglobinkonzentration des Blutes

Abstract. Title of the paper: Growth performance and adaptation of suckler calves with a different hemoglobin content of blood from a cow-calf operation
To characterize physiological variables in suckler calves of different developmental quality and fitness (hemoglobin content of blood low HbG1, moderate HbG2 and high HbG3) at early gowth with uniform husbandry system on suckler calves (36 German Red Pied, 5 German Black Pied, 17 male and 24 female) measurements of body weight and blood composition were done repeatedly at 9–14, 18–25, 28–35, 40–52 and 59–77 days of age. Mean birth weight was not different between groups. Growth performance of calves of HbG1 was smaller then that of calves of HbG2 and of HbG3. Hematological variables of the calves in the three groups changed with growth in different ways. Significant mean value differences between groups could be found for Hb, Hk, MCHC, O₂CAP, O₂CONT, and plasma iron concentration at all testing points, for O₂SAT at 28–37 days and for COHb at 59–77 days of age. Mean Noradrenalin concentrations were significantly greater in calves of HbG1 then in those of HbG2 and of HbG3 at 9–14 days and 18–25 days of age. Relationships between the quality of erythropoiesis and iron access were assessed considering the changes of the physiological variables and the initial situation in calves at the first days of life.