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Physiological attributes as possible selection criteria for milk production 1. Study of metabolites in Friesian calves of high or low genetic merit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

N. Tilakaratne ,
J. C. Alliston ,
W. R. Carr ,
R. B. Land  and
T. J. Osmond
N. Tilakaratne
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
J. C. Alliston
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
W. R. Carr
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
R. B. Land
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
T. J. Osmond
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
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Abstract

The use of variation in metabolism to predict genetic merit for milk production was studied using 42 Friesian calves: 11 ♀♀, 10 ♂♂ were the offspring of four bulls with high (H), and 11 ♀♀, 10 ♂♂ of four with low (L) improved contemporary comparison (ICC) values (mean = + 402 kg and − 276 kg respectively). The animals were 14 or 15 weeks of age at the start of the study and treated similarly throughout.

Blood samples were collected: I—in relation to feeding; II—at set intervals; III—during a 44-h fast; and IV—following the sudden introduction of an energy metabolite (sodium propionate), and then refeeding. Plasma concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, urea, free fatty acids, total proteins and albumin were measured in all samples.

Blood characteristics apparently differed among animals, particularly protein and urea (repeatability 0·74 and 0·62 respectively).

The progeny of high ICC bulls had lower levels of urea during fasting (H = 4·70, L = 5·62 P < 0·05) but higher levels of free fatty acids (H = 578, L = 492 μ equivalents/l; P < 0·05). There was a small difference in total protein (H = 69·7, L = 66·8 g/l, P < 0·05) but the other metabolites showed no significant ICC group difference.

In general, sex of the animal did not influence the metabolites.

Results suggest that calves with different potentials for milk production vary in aspects of energy and nitrogen metabolism; the possibility of using these as criteria for genetic selection for milk production is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 30 , Issue 3 , June 1980 , pp. 327 - 340
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1980

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