Comparative study of selected blood biochemical components in milk or milk-replacer fed calves during the second week of life

The experiment was carried out on 13 male Polish Black and White dairy calves of 75% share of the Holstein-Friesian (HF) breed during the second week of life. The animals were divided into two groups. One group (n=7) was fed mother's milk and the second (n=6) milk replacer. The dynamics of changes in concentration of selected blood biochemical components connected with nitrogen metabolism (plasma total protein, albumin, urea, endogenous creatinine) and with mineral metabolism (sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and plasma osmotic pressure) were analyzed in both groups. The results show that the type of ingested food influences the concentration of indicators reflecting nitrogen metabolism. Changes of these parameters in calves fed milk replacer are possibly connected with advantageous catabolic changes. Stable concentrations of main extracellular fluid electrolytes and blood plasma osmotic pressure were found in both groups of calves. Constant blood plasma calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper concentrations observed during this study might also indicate the relative maturity of mechanisms maintaining water and electrolyte balance. Nevertheless, it seemsjustifiable to monitor the copper concentrations in plasma of young calves.