Comparison of blood calcium and glucose levels in calves from heifers and cows with eutocia and dystocia

In this study, blood total and ionized calcium and glucose levels of calves from heifers and cows with eutocia and dystocia were evaluated. The material of the study consisted of the data of the calves belonging to heifers and cows, were brought to the Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology Clinic of Giessen Justus Liebig University for parturition follow-up or intervention of dystocia. The data of 60 calves born from a total of 60 animal were evaluated. A total of 60 calves were divided into 2 groups (n=30) as calves born from heifers and cows, and then each group was divided into 2 subgroups (n=15) as eutocia and dystocia. Glucose, total and ionized calcium levels measured from blood samples taken from calves at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours postpartum (PP) starting immediately from parturition were evaluated within and between groups. The effect of the sampling time on the glucose levels of the calves was significant, and the glucose level showed linear, quadratic and cubic changes during the sampling time (p<0.01). Between PP2 and PP48, statistically significant number of parturition x mode of delivery interactions were observed in terms of blood glucose levels of calves (p>0.05) and at this sampling times blood glucose levels were lower in calves born from heifers with dystocia compared with other groups. It was determined that the ionized and total calcium values were high in all groups at PP0, they were within the the reference values after PP2, and there was no difference between the groups (p>0.05). As a conclusion, it is understood that the blood glucose and calcium values of the calves are independent shortly after birth, but both glucose and calcium values are regulated by the maternal influence in intrauterine life, regarding the PP0 values.