| Abstract: | Two milk feeding systems were investigated as influencing the health and development of calves. After the termination of colostrum feeding, the ten animals of the experimental group were given whole milk whereas the control group (also ten calves) was given the Laktosan milk replacer. By the age of three months, blood was collected from the calves for biochemical examination in weekly intervals, later once a month. The content of urea, determined in the blood plasma of the calves of the experimental group was significantly lower in the fourth to seventh week. The plasma levels of nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium were about the same in the experimental and control groups, being within the limits of the reference values. At the age of six to nine weeks, the content of inorganic phosphorus in the blood plasma of the tested animals was statistically significantly higher. Vitamin A concentration in the blood plasma was about the same in both groups. The content of vitamin E in the blood plasma of the calves of the experimental group was statistically significantly higher in the fourth to eight week of age. No significant differences between the two groups were observed in the plasmatic activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GMT). The activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly higher in the third to fifth week of life. From the fifth to eighteenth week of age, the average daily weight gains were significantly higher in the calves given whole milk. |
