Effect of Dietary Lipid and Protein on Serum Proteins, Lipids and Glucose in the Blood of Dairy Calves

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Abstract
The effects of dietary corn oil and soy protein upon blood serum proteins, blood lipids and glucose were determined in 36 male. Holstein calves at ages 8, 13, and 18 weeks. Additions of corn oil and soy protein to a basal diet were varied from zero to 8% and zero to 28%, respectively. Blood serum proteins were not affected by age of calves when sampled but were significantly affected by ration at 13 and 18 weeks. At low dietary protein levels, increased levels of corn oil lowered blood serum proteins. Of the blood serum proteins, β-globulin was the most responsive to dietary changes. Maximal values for blood glucose occurred with dietary combinations that resulted in maximal growth. Blood lipids were affected by the age of the calf as well as ration. A gradual increase was noted in the blood lipid level as the trial progressed. Phospholipids appeared to account largely for the increase observed from 8 to 13 weeks, whereas the 13- to 18-week increase was a result of increased cholesterol. A quadratic relationship existed between dietary corn oil and blood cholesterol, with maximal cholesterol values occurring at approximately 4% corn oil. Dietary protein expressed a negative linear effect upon blood lipids.