Study of the biochemical status of calves in the early postnatal period in connection with dyspepsia

Purpose: to study changes in the most important metabolic parameters in case of dyspepsia in calves. Materials and methods. Two groups of calves of 8 heads each, aged from 6 to 14 days, were formed. The first group included calves with signs of dyspepsia, who, in addition to diarrhea syndrome, had decreased appetite, weakness, and signs of abdominal pain. At the time of the study, the duration of the illness was 2-4 days. The second (control) group included clinically healthy animals of the same age. Blood was taken from the calves from the jugular vein in the morning before feeding. Blood serum was examined in a clinical biochemical laboratory using standard test systems to determine biochemical parameters. Results. In calves with dyspepsia, a significant decrease in the concentration of triglycerides by 1,8 times, cholesterol by 1,57 times, total protein by 5,5 % and albumin by 12,3 % was revealed. They also revealed a significant increase in the activity of transamination enzymes — ALT (2,6 times) and AST (1,6 times), which may indicate both damage to hepatocytes and the induction of enzymes to accelerate transamination reactions in order to meet energy needs calf body. The studies did not reveal significant changes in the concentrations of urea, creatinine and bilirubin. Conclusion. Studies have revealed metabolic changes that occur due to decreased absorption of nutrients in the intestines. Damage to the intestinal mucosa leads not only to a deterioration in the absorption of nutrients, but also to the penetration of proteins, primarily albumins, into the intestinal lumen and their removal from the body into the external environment. Redistribution of metabolic pathways to ensure homeostasis plays an adaptive role, but subsequently can have a negative role in the processes of growth and development of the calf’s body.