Untersuchungen zur Anämie bei männlichen Aufzuchtkälbern

Abstract

In a longitudinal investigation (3 points of time n = 214, 206 resp. 202) the hemoglobin quota (Hb), the hematocrit (Hct) resp. the average corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were analysed at male calves receiving semi-liquid feed in the transitional period from pre-ruminal to ruminal digestion (56d). Breed, live weight development, consumption of milk, concentrated feed resp. dried forage, diseases of the calves as well as the father and the milk yield resp. the lactation age of the mother were registered as reference conditions. The percentage of calves with an Hb less than 10.5 g/dl was at the three points of time 50.00%, 86.41% resp. 41.58%, of calves with an Hct less than 33,5% it was 43.46%, 66.02% resp. 31.68% and of calves with an MCHC less than 30.5 g Hg/dl erythrocytes 51.87%, 76,21 resp. 47,03%. 21.50%, 33.50% resp. 4.46% of all test animals even had an Hb of less than 8.5 g/dl.

Immune Response in Anaemic Calves

“…The daily weight-gain was much lower in the anaemic calves than in the normal ones. This finding is in accordance with the results of other experiments (MULLER and VOLKER, 1972; KIRCHGESSNER et al, 1974;BUNGER et al, 1980).…”

“…This means that anaemic calves develop a weaker immune response, so they are more susceptible to natural infections and their vaccination is also less efficient. Since a high prevalence of iron deficiency of calves has been observed in many countries (HIBBS et al, 1963;MOLLERBERG et al, 1975;BUNGER et al, 1979;SARKOZY and MISLEY, 1981) we consider this observation of great importance.…”