Comprehensive assessment of metabolic profile and dynamics of lipid metabolism alterations in calves with intrauterine growth restriction

Abstract

One of the complications of pregnancy in cows is intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUFR). In this condition, the fetus lags in size and weight relative to gestational age, which negatively affects both the cow and its offspring. This study aimed to establish differences in blood parameters between calves born to dams with physiologically progressing pregnancies and those born to cows diagnosed with IUFR immediately after birth and to monitor changes in lipid metabolism parameters dynamically. The research was conducted on 30 Simmental calves, divided into two groups (16 calves with a history of IUFR and 14 without pathology) on a farm owned by IP Rogacheva G.A. (Astrakhan region, Ikryaninsky district). The presence of IUFR was determined by clinical-ultrasonographic examination. Overall blood parameter assessment was conducted 24 hours after calf birth, and levels of total lipids and cholesterol were examined in serum collected on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after birth. A decrease in glucose level, total protein, and immunoglobulin, and an increase in lactate, lactate/pyruvate ratio, and albumin-globulin ratio in blood collected one day after birth were identified. The dynamics of lipid metabolism changes indicate a persistent decrease in total lipids in serum from days 1 to 14 of life and cholesterol from days 1 to 3 of life. The obtained data contribute to the possibility of correctly selecting methods to correct the negative consequences in calves induced by IUFR development.