Evaluation of plasma glucose peak as a function of liquid diet and fructosamine as an indicator of ruminal development

• Grant number: 19/22310-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Principal researcher: Carla Maris Machado Bittar
• Grantee: Amanda Moelemberg Cezar
• Home Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Determination of serum glucose status of preweaned calves is important for understanding the changes in the metabolism from a pre-ruminant to a functional ruminant. The present work aims to evaluate the peak of serum glucose concentration according to the liquid diet fed to dairy calves (milk or milk replacer). Therefore, we seek to standardize the time for blood sampling in order to characterize the changes that occur during this transition phase. We also aim to evaluate the use of fructosamine as an indicator of glycemic status of calves. Sixteen Holstein dairy calves will be enrolled in the study, eight calves will be enrolled per treatment (milk vs. milk replacer) in a randomized complete block experimental design, according to their birth weight and date of birth. Blood samples will be taken weekly at 0h, 1h, 2h, 4h and 8h hours after the morning feeding to assess the biochemical and metabolic profiles. Calves will be weaned at 56 days of age, but will be evaluated until 70 days of age. Data will be analyzed as repeated measures over time using the PROC MIXED package from the SAS. Values of Pd0.05 will be considered significant for all evaluated parameter.