Effect of Different Energy Levels in Starter Ration Of Suckling Angus Calves on Blood Biochemical Parameters, Hormone Profile, Immune Response and Antioxidant Status.

The objective of study was to evaluate the effects of energy level in starter ration on blood biochemical parameters, hormone profile, immune response and antioxidant status of calves. A total of eighteen angus calves were divided into three groups in such a way that each group had six calves. Three energy levels were {9 MJ/kg, low metabolizable energy (LME), 12.38 MJ/kg, medium metabolizable energy (MME) and 13.62 MJ/kg, high metabolizable energy (HME)} fed to experimental groups. Results showed that hemoglobin, red blood cells, hematocrit, thrombocytocrit and high-density lipoprotein was higher in HME diet (P<0.05). While, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width was higher in MME diet as compared to HME diet (P<0.05). Results of immunity revealed that IgA content were lowest in calves fed LME diet (P<0.05). Calves received different energy level in the diet had no effect on IgG, IgM and C4 (P>0.05). However, the calves on LME starter diet represented higher blood complement C3 contents (P<0.05). It is concluded that blood metabolites were influenced by energy level in Angus calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]