Developmental Changes in Serum Ferritin Concentration of Dairy Calves

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Serum ferritin concentration of nursing calves was measured by a 2-site immunoradiometric assay to assess developmental changes and to evaluate relationships of serum ferritin with Fe-related blood characteristics. Serum ferritin concentration of calves was low at birth and elevated slightly at 3 days of age. From 1 wk of age onward, serum ferritin concentration of untreated calves and calves fed only whole milk for 4 wk decreased and remained low throughout the nursing period. This finding almost coincided with hematological characteristics. That nearly normal hematological measures and weight gain persisted and that they did not develop any anemic symptom indicate that serum ferritin concentration is more sensitive than other hematological characteristics to Fe depletion. Serum ferritin concentration of calves administered 130 mg of ferrous fumarate (40 mg Fe) daily from 3-22 days of age or injected with 4 ml of Fe-dextran i.m. (400 mg Fe) at 3 days and 2 wk of age increased sharply just after treatment and persisted high for 2-6 wk of age. There was large variation between animals for serum ferritin concentration. Thus, it seems likely that serum ferritin concentration is an index for monitoring prelatent Fe deficiency of calves.

This publication has 27 references indexed in Scilit: