Changes in the Concentration of Lipids and Some Other Constituents in the Blood Plasma of Calves from Birth to 6 Months of Age

Abstract

SummaryThis paper describes the changes in concentration of the major lipid fractions, glucose, and protein in plasma from the jugular vein of six calves from birth to 6 months of age. Changes in haematocrit over this period are also presented. Two-to threefold increases were observed in the plasma concentration of total fat, phospholipids, free cholesterol, and cholesterol esters within the first week after birth, with a further increase until 1 month of age. The concentration of these lipids remained high between 1 and 3 months of age but was lower in samples collected subsequently. Plasma triglycerides, glucose, and total protein increased from their lowest to their highest values over the first 2 days after birth. The haematocrit decreased markedly during the first week after birth and then increased somewhat over the next 3 months. The concentration of free fatty acids was relatively high in samples collected at birth but had halved in value by 2 days of age with a further gradual decrease over the next few months. The ratio of free : total cholesterol decreased from a value of approximately 0·27 at birth to 0·20 at 15 days of age, after which it remained constant.The results suggested that, in the new-born calf, glucose reserves were quickly exhausted and free fatty acids were an important source of energy at this time.

Comparative Studies of Lipid Metabolism in Zebu and British Cattle in a Tropical Environment. I. Plasma Lipid Levels of Grazing Cattle

“…The total cholesterol levels reported here (Table 3) for lO-month-old calves appeared to be low compared to the values obtained by other workers for calves on adequate diets (Shope 1928;Lennon and Mixner 1957;Shannon and Lascelles 1966). After the development of a fully functional rumen the plasma lipid levels appear to be independent of diet and presumably mainly influenced by normal growth processes and sex differences.…”

The origin of lipoprotein in the intestinal and hepatic lymph of unsuckled new‐born calves

“…Shannon & Lascelles, 1966) and it has been suggested that this is, at least in part, a reaction to cold stress (Hull, 1969). During exposure to a cold environment the levels of VLDL in rat serum drop precipitously and it is considered that this indicates an important role for this lipoprotein as a readily available energy source (Radomski, 1966).…”

Evolution avec l'âge de la cholestérolémie et de la triglycéridémie postprandiales chez le veau préruminant ; influence de l'ingestion de sorbitol

“…Faible à la naissance, la lipémie augmente fortement au cours des premiers jours de la vie chez le Veau préruminant (Shannon et Lascelles, 1966 ;Noble etal., 1975) comme chez l'Agneau préruminant (Noble etal., 1971 (Stewart etal., 1978 ; Aurousseau, 1980 ; (Bazin et Brisson, 1976 ; Aurousseau, 1981). Les cinétiques peuvent être modifiées par la nature (Bauchart et Aurousseau, 1980) ou le taux de lipides ingérés (Bazin et Brisson, 1976), ainsi que par la nature des protéines ingérées (Toullec et al, 1979 (Thivend, 1982a) et améliore la croissance, l'efficacité alimentaire et l'état sanitaire des veaux recevant un régime riche en lipides (Thivend, 1982b Matzkies, 1975), précurseur privilégié des stérols au niveau notamment de la peau et du cerveau (Edmond, 19741. L'évolution avec l'âge de l'estercholestérolémie moyenne marquée, chez le Veau préruminant comme chez l'Agneau préruminant (Leat, 1967 ;Leat et al, 1976), par un maximum à l'âge de 3 semaines et une baisse progressive pendant les 7 semaines suivantes pourrait être directement influencée par le plan d'alimentation.…”