H. L. Keller,
L. I. Gherman,
R. E. Kosa,
D. C. Borger,
W. P. Weiss,
L. B. Willett 1
The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
Shortly after birth, blood plasma sugar concentrations of newborn calves decline below desired concentrations. Two trials were conducted to determine if plasma fructose and glucose can be stabilized by feeding calves fructose or lactose. The short-term trial consisted of six calves receiving supplements of either 40 grams of fructose, lactose, or water (control) with colostrum replacer at 1 and 96 hours after birth. Rectal temperatures and plasma glucose and fructose concentrations were monitored at close intervals for 12 hours post-supplement. In the long-term trial, 15 calves received 40 grams of either lactose, fructose, or water (control) in the initial feeding given at one hour postpartum and to the subsequent feedings given at 12-hour intervals for 81 hours. Plasma glucose and fructose concentrations were determined before and four hours after each of the seven supplements. Supplements of fructose fed soon after birth suppressed plasma glucose and increased plasma fructose. Pre-feeding plasma glucose concentrations of all groups stabilized (~100 mg/dL) by 25 hours after birth. After 25 hours, lactose supplements increased post-feeding concentrations of plasma glucose (169.7 ± 8.2 mg/dL) above those of the other calves. Plasma fructose was not detected in control or lactose-supplemented calves beyond 17 hours postpartum but was detectable in the fructose-supplemented calves through 77 hours. Fructose-supplemented calves also had higher rectal temperatures than the other calves at eight and 10 hours after birth. Both fructose and glucose concentrations were changing rapidly in the hours following parturition, and the oral sugar supplements appeared to increase the overall plasma sugar concentrations of the treated calves.
1For more information, contact at: The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Department of Animal Sciences, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691; 330-263-3792; fax: 330-263-3949; e-mail: willett.2@osu.edu