Abstract
The objective of this study was to describe the physiological changes in the concentrations of acute phase proteins (APPs) in calves during the first month of life, including pre-, postcolostral and milk feeding period. Seven clinically healthy calves were used in this study. Calves received colostrum and whole milk from their dams. The first blood sampling was performed before colostrum intake (day 0) and then at 1, 2, 7, 14 and 30 days of age. Blood serum was analyzed for the concentrations of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and albumin (Alb). The results showed significant changes in the serum concentrations of Hp, SAA and Cp (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.01). Their lowest concentrations were found after birth, and a gradual increase was observed after colostrum intake until day 7 of life. Another trend was observed in the concentrations of albumin with a more marked decrease of values 1 day after colostrum intake and subsequent significant increase of values until the end of the first month of age (P<0.001). Sampling time had no significant effect on the concentrations of AGP. The values observed at birth and on day 1 of life were relatively stable. The concentrations of AGP increased slightly from day 2 until the end of the first month of age. These results suggest that the concentrations of APPs in the neonatal period are influenced by colostrum intake and age. This should be taken into consideration for the precise interpretation of these analytes in young animals.