[Clinicochemical blood values in newborn calves. 2. Repeated studies in the same animals]. / Klinisch-chemische Blutwerte bei neugeborenen Kälbern. 2. Wiederholte Untersuchungen an den gleichen Tieren.

Blood samples taken by venipuncture in calves within 12 hours after delivery and again in the same animals within 5 to 23 days of postnatal life were analyzed for hematocrit and fifteen other biochemical values. The changes of blood values between these two sampling points in each individual calf were investigated by regression analysis. Remarkable individual reactions and effects of the constitution of the animal immediately after delivery on the level and on the changes of the biochemical values could be observed as well as great deviations of some blood values of twin calves too. The scattering of some blood values and their changes in the first days of postnatal life are discussed regarding the maturity of the calves as well as the possible incidence of deficiency states or the setting of a new level for these physiological values.

[Clinico-chemical blood values in newborn calves. 1. Effects of some internal and external conditions]. / Klinisch-chemische Blutwerte bei neugeborenen Kälbern. 1. Einflüsse einiger innerer und äusserer Bedingungen.

In a large dairy cattle herd blood samples taken by venipuncture in newborn calves within 0 to 12 hours after delivery were analysed for hematocrit and fifteen other variables. The time of birth and the time of blood sampling and of first colostrum supply were recorded as well as body weight, sex and breed of the animals. Blood sampling in dairy cows was performed in the course of a herd health programme. The effects of the above-mentioned factors on the blood values of calves were investigated. Comparing the blood values of the pregnant cows with those of their newborn calves led to the result that in calves the measures were higher than (Hkt, Thyroxine), equal to (urea, P, Ca, Zn, Mg, K, Na, TIBC) or below (total protein, albumin, gammaglobulin, cholesterol, coeruloplasmin, Fe, Cu) those of their dams. There was great scattering of the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Mg, Fe, TIBC, total protein, albumin and in hematocrit. Uptake of colostrum caused the concentration of Mg, total protein and gammaglobulin to increase and those of albumin and hematocrit to decrease, leaving the levels of P and blood urea unchanged.

[Trace element supply of newborn calves. Effect of the mother and of the genetic makeup, sex and degree of maturity of the newborn]. / Spurenelementausstattung neugeborener Kälber. Einflüsse des Muttertieres sowie von genetischer Konstruktion, Geschlecht und Reifegrad des Neugeborenen.

Stillborn calves of a large dairy cattle herd were used for investigations of trace element (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) content of the liver and heart muscle. Trace element content varied markedly in the liver and in the heart muscle too but in the heart muscle with a smaller degree. Calves from heifers had a greater trace element content in the liver and heart muscle than those from cows. Premature calves had small amounts of Mn and Cu in their livers and small but term calves had less Fe and Zn in their livers. Single calves from cows had a greater amount of trace elements in the liver and heart muscle than twin calves.

[Birth injuries in calves and perinatal calf losses in a large dairy herd]. / Geburtsschäden an Kälbern und perinatale Kälberverluste in einer grossen Milchrindherde.

Post-mortem examinations were carried out on 65 calves which were stillborn or died within 24 hours of birth. All calves came from a large dairy unit with about one thousand cattle of the Schwarzbuntes Milchrind breed. To evaluate the perinatal losses, the farm records of parturitions from 1985-1990 were used. The calves had gross damage of the CNS, the musculature, subcutaneous tissue and internal organs such as lung and intestines. It may be assumed that a lesser degree of similar damage would also be present in the surviving calves. The level of perinatal losses is determined particularly by deaths following prolonged parturition due to foetal oversize in heifers and young cows, but also by the birth of immature calves of low weight after pregnancy of normal or decreased duration and by twin pregnancies with high total calf mass and relative immaturity of the calves.

[Gas metabolism and body temperature during submaximal, maximal and supramaximal physical activity of swine]. / Gasstoffwechsel und Körpertemperatur bei submaximaler, maximaler und supramaximaler körperlicher Aktivität des Schweines.

VO2, VCO2, gas exchange ratio (R = VO2/VCO2), and rectal body temperature were continuously measured on 6 young fattening pigs and 16 boars during repeated runs (0.7, 1.3, and 2.5 m/s-1) on a horizontally moving belt. Close correlations, almost linear, were found to exist between VO2, VCO2, and rectal temperature in situations in which VO2 moved close to its individual maximum as a result of preselected challenge intensity. None of these 3 parameters was increased further and in keeping with turnover, if higher challenge intensities were chosen.

[The oxygen uptake capacity of swine]. / Die Sauerstoffaufnahmekapazität des Schweines.

Comprehensive studies into domestic pigs and wild boars together with literature data provided a basis for an assessment of aerobic metabolic capacity (VO2max) of swine. The values quoted, from 20 to 94 ml/min-1/kg, had been due to several factors of methodological approach, growth, training, and nutrition as well as to pathophysiological aspects. For full capacity utilisation of VO2max, untrained pigs can be challenged at belt velocities between 0.8 and 1.8 m/s-1 and trained animals at 5 m/s-1.

[Gas exchange in swine before, during and after motor activity of different intensity and length]. / Gasstoffwechsel beim Schwein vor, während und nach motorischer Aktivität unterschiedlicher Intensität und Dauer.

4 female and 2 male untrained fattening pigs, weighing 43.9 +/- 1.6 kg at the beginning of the experiment underwent continuous measurement of VO2, VCO2, and rectal temperature, prior to, during, and after running on a horizontal exercise belt set to speeds of 0.7, 1.3, and 2.5 m.s-1. The highest values of VO2 and VCO2 (ml-min-1/kg-1) and rectal temperature (degrees C) were usually measured few minutes after running. They were 18.84 +/- 3.65 and 20.4 +/- 4.53 as well as 41.2 +/- 0.4, 28.41 +/- 4.07 and 33.26 +/- 5.92 or 41.3 +/- 0.5, 26.21 +/- 7.7 and 32.32 +/- 7.14 as well as 40.5 +/- 0.7, depending on the above belt speeds. Exercise belt speeds of 1.3 to 1.8 m.s-1 were found to be suitable for testing aerobic metabolic capacity of untrained young pigs.

[Gas exchange in boars of different development stages during motor activity]. / Gasstoffwechsel von Ebern in verschiedenen Entwicklungsstadien bei motorischer Aktivität.

Continuous measurements were performed on 16 untrained boars for VO2, VCO2, and rectal temperature, prior to, during, and after running exercises on an horizontal exercise belt, with speeds set to 1.3 m.s-1 corresponding to something between 23 and 43 kg of body weight b.wt. or 0.7 and 1.3 m.s-1 corresponding to 76 to 86 kg of b.wt. The highest values of VO2 and VCO2 (ml.min-1/kg-1 b.wt.) and of rectal temperature (degrees C) were 36.78 +/- 3.57, 40.23 +/- 6.17, and 41.9 +/- 0.6 in younger animals or 21.49 +/- 2.46, 22.53 +/- 3.12, 40.8 +/- 0.5, 29.3 +/- 5.15, 30.6 +/- 4.77, and 40.7 +/- 0.45 for somewhat older animals for belt speeds of 0.7 and 1.3 m.s-1. Exercise belt speeds of 0.7 to 1.3 m.s-1 were found to be suitable for testing aerobic metabolic capacity of untrained young boars.