**4. Results of our study**

The aim of the study was to define the physiological pattern of haematological and biochemical variables for different age groups of dairy calves, which should help in interpretation of laboratory results.

The study was performed on 65 Holstein-Friesian calves (31 females, 34 males) from two dairy farms. After calving, the calves received 1-1.5 l of colostrum from their mother *via* nipple bottle. The colostrum and milk were supplied three times a day for the first 4 day; later they received milk two times a day. After 10 day of age, they had free access to commercial starter and hay. They were weaned at the age of 16 weeks.

Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein into evacuated tubes containing K3EDTA (Venoject, Terumo, Belgium) for haematology and in tubes without additives for biochemical analysis. They were taken once weekly till the age of 6 weeks, and then at the age of 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. During the research period, health status of calves was monitored regularly. When the calf was found to be sick at sampling time, the sample was excluded from the study. Some calves were lost from the study before the end because they were sold.


The age group differs significantly (P<0.05) from age groups in superscript

Table 1. Haematological variables in calves (Ježek, 2007)

The aim of the study was to define the physiological pattern of haematological and biochemical variables for different age groups of dairy calves, which should help in

The study was performed on 65 Holstein-Friesian calves (31 females, 34 males) from two dairy farms. After calving, the calves received 1-1.5 l of colostrum from their mother *via* nipple bottle. The colostrum and milk were supplied three times a day for the first 4 day; later they received milk two times a day. After 10 day of age, they had free access to commercial starter

Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein into evacuated tubes containing K3EDTA (Venoject, Terumo, Belgium) for haematology and in tubes without additives for biochemical analysis. They were taken once weekly till the age of 6 weeks, and then at the age of 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. During the research period, health status of calves was monitored regularly. When the calf was found to be sick at sampling time, the sample was excluded from the study.

> MCV fL

42.8 ± 3.5 2,3,4,5,6,8,12, 16,20,24

40.5 ± 2.6 1,4,5,6,8,12,16,20,24

38.9 ± 2.

37.7 ± 2.9

2,12,16,20,24 36.4 ± 2.7 1,2,3 0.29 ± 0.07

35.7 ± 2.5 1,2,3,4

35.1 ± 2.5 1,2,3,4

35.2 ± 2.7 1,2,3,4

35.0 ± 2,0 1,2,3,4

34.8 ± 2.2 1,2,3,4

35.3 ± 2,1 1,2,3,4

PCV L/L

0.3 ± 0.07 6

0.34 ± 0.07

0.29 ± 0.06 1,2,12,16,20,24

0.30 ± 0.05 2,16,20

0.33 ± 0.04

0.34 ± 0.03 5,6,8

0.34 ± 0.03

0.34 ± 4.0

1,5,6,8,12,16, 20,24 0.32 ± 0.07 9.9 ± 3.2 730 ± 221

1,2,6,8,12,16, 20,24 0.31 ± 0.07 10.1 ± 3.1 746 ± 201

WBC x 109/L

9.6 ± 3,4 16

5,6,8 10.9 ± 4.1 723 ± 218

2,12,16,20,24 10.9 ± 3.1 745 ± 194

9.**7** ± 3.1 16

9.8 ± 3.3 16

11.8 ± 3.1 1,6,8

5,6 10.8 ± 2.6 659 ± 198

5,6,8 11.4 ± 3.0 573 ± 168

5,6 11.5 ± 4.1 481 ± 213

PLT x 109/L

451 ± 212 2,3,4,5,6,8,12, 16

1,16,20,24

1,16,20,24

1,16,20,24

1,16,20,24

682 ± 206 1,24

681 ± 252 1,24

1,24

585 ± 201 1,2,3,4,5

2,3,4,5

2,3,4,5,6,8,12

Some calves were lost from the study before the end because they were sold.

Hb g/L

104.1 ± 22.1 20

108.8 ± 23.7 5,6,8

103.7 ± 22.7 16,20

100.1 ± 22.5 16,20,24

94.9 ± 20.4

94.5 ± 18.3 2,12,16,20,24

98.3 ± 12.9 2,12,16,20,24

109.7 ± 9.0 5,6,8

114.6 ± 8.6 3,4,5,6,8

116.2 ± 10.1 1,3,4,5,6,8

113.8 ± 12.3 4,5,6,8

The age group differs significantly (P<0.05) from age groups in superscript

Table 1. Haematological variables in calves (Ježek, 2007)

**4. Results of our study** 

Age (weeks) <sup>n</sup>

interpretation of laboratory results.

and hay. They were weaned at the age of 16 weeks.

RBC x 1012/L

8,12,16,20,24

12,16,20,24

12,16,20,24

12,16,20,24

12,16,20,24

12,16,20,24

12,16,20,24

1,2,3,4,5,6,8

1,2,3,4,5,6,8

1,2,3,4,5,6,8

1,2,3,4,5,6,8

1 61 7.63 ± 1.49

2 64 8.35 ± 1.70

3 58 8.22 ± 1.55

4 62 8.11 ± 1.54

5 63 7.98 ± 1.47

6 63 8.05 ± 1.33

8 65 8.53 ± 1.01

12 61 9.33 ± 0.89

16 62 9.72 ± 0.76

20 56 9.85 ± 0.81

24 38 9.59 ± 1.11


The age group differs significantly (P<0.05) from age groups in superscript

Table 2. Activity of enzymes in calves (Ježek, 2007)


Values of Blood Variables in Calves 315

The data were processed with the statistical software SPSS (Ver 15.0). For investigated haematological and biochemical variables the descriptive statistics were calculated regarding to the age. Bonferroni test was used to investigate significant difference between

The age of calves influenced the investigated haematological and biochemical variables

The age of calves influence the haematological and biochemical variables what should be

The results of various studies on age dependent dynamics of haematological and biochemical variables in calves are different. The differences are influenced by the fact that blood samples were taken in different age periods, breeds, rearing systems, geographic

For proper interpretation of laboratory results it is the best to use the reference values from

This work was supported by the Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, programme group "Animal Health, Environment and Food Safety" (P4-0092).

Adams, R.; Garry, F.B.; Aldridge, B.M.; Holland, M.D.& Odde, K.G. (1992). Hematologic

Boediker, R. (1991). Die Bestimung der GGT im Serum als Indikator für die

Bostedt, H. & Schramel, P. (1982). Zur dynamik der Blutserumkonzentration von Kalzium

Bostedt, H. (1983). Vergleichende Untersuchung über die Entwicklung des Enzymprofils im

Bostedt, H.; Jekel, E. & Shramel, P. (1990). Zur entwicklung der Eisen und

values in newborn beef calves. *American Journal of Veterinary Research*, Vol.53, No.6,

Kolostralmilchversorgung des Kalbes. *Tierärztliche Umschau*, Vol.46, No.4 (April

und Magnesium sowie der Spurenelemente Eisen, Kupfer und Zink in den ersten Lebenswochen des Kalbes. *Tierärztliche Umschau*, Vol.37, No.7 (July 1982), pp. 471-

Blut von Kälbern und Lämern in der neonatalen Adaptationsperiode. *Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift*, Vol.96, No.12 (December 1983), pp. 431-438,

Kupferkonzentration im Blutplasma von Kälbern in den ersten Lebenstagen und Wochen, gleichzeitig ein Beitrag zur larvierten neonatalen Eisenmangelanämie.

s collegues who contributed to the research work, presented in

what should be considered by interpretation of laboratory results.

considered by interpretation of laboratory results.

regions, and were analysed with different methods.

the laboratory which performed the analyses of blood.

this chapter: Jože Starič, DVM, PhD and Marija Nemec, DVM, Msc.

(June 1992), pp. 944-950, ISSN 0002-9645

1991), pp. 190-194, ISNN 0049-3864

476, ISNN 0049-3864

ISNN 0005-9366

age groups.

**5. Conclusion** 

**6. Acknowledgements** 

Special thanks go to author,

**7. References** 


The age group differs significantly (P<0.05) from age groups in superscript



The age group differs significantly (P<0.05) from age groups in superscript

Table 4. Mineral concentration in calves' serum (Ježek, 2007)

The data were processed with the statistical software SPSS (Ver 15.0). For investigated haematological and biochemical variables the descriptive statistics were calculated regarding to the age. Bonferroni test was used to investigate significant difference between age groups.

The age of calves influenced the investigated haematological and biochemical variables what should be considered by interpretation of laboratory results.
