Abstract
Iron has been identified as a necessary element for the normal development of newborn calves, but on the contrary, milk is considered to be a poor source of iron. This study was designed to investigate the iron requirements of Holstein calves at different time points postpartum. Serum iron (Fe), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ceruloplasmin, and ferritin were measured in 46 newborn calves. Blood samples were collected before suckling colostrum (T0), after suckling at 1-day-old (T24), 2-day-old (T48), and 2-month-old (T2mon). Blood iron levels in newborn calves, before suckling colostrum, was the same as the mother, but decreased in 1 and 2-day-old calves and continued to decrease until 2 months of age. There were significant differences between serum iron levels at T0, T48, and T2mon (P<0.001). Blood TIBC levels were significantly higher in newborn calves at T0 (P<0.001) than in their mothers and continued to show significant increases at T24, T48, and T2mon (P<0.001). Ceruloplasmin at T2mon was within normal ranges for normal adult cows, suggesting that transport of iron in 2-month-old calves, at least in that part which is related to blood ceruloplasmin, is normal. Blood ferritin levels in newborn calves before suckling colostrum, which was the same as their mothers’, decreased at T24 and T48 but insignificantly increased at T2mon. This data show that commercially reared suckling calves require iron supplements, which are essential for them at birth and may play an important role in their growth, hematopoiesis, and resistance to infections.
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Atyabi, N., Gharagozloo, F. & Nassiri, S.M. The necessity of iron supplementation for normal development of commercially reared suckling calves. Comp Clin Pathol 15, 165–168 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-006-0624-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-006-0624-4