Carbohydrate Utilization in the Young Calf. I. Nutritive Value of Glucose, Corn Syrup and Lactose as Carbohydrate Sources in Synthetic Milk

Abstract

I. 18 neonatal calves were allotted to 3 exptl. groups and fed rations consisting of synthetic milk which varied only in the source of carbohydrate. The avg. gain in weight for the 31-day exptl. period was 9.33 lbs. for glucose-fed calves (G), 8.66 lbs. for corn syrup-fed calves (K) and 18.66 lbs. for lactose-fed calves (L). The efficiency of feed utilization, expressed as the avg. of gain per lb. of dry matter consumed, was 0.234, 0.142 and 0.384 for the G, K and L groups, respectively. Within the subgroups, 10 and 30% corn syrup produced fair results; 45% was unsatisfactory. There was little difference in wt. gains in response to lactose at the 5, 10 and 30% levels. Analysis of blood at weekly intervals for hematocrit, hemoglobin and plasma Ca, inorganic P, Mg and ascorbic acid showed no apparent departure from the normal. Examination of rumen samples for micro-organisms revealed that individual differences were greater than differences between groups. On post-mortem examination, congestion of the duodenum and rectum, abomasal petechial hemorrhages and ulceration about the pylorus were observed less frequently in-the L than in G and K groups, while colds, pneumonia and white spotted kidney occurred indiscriminately in all groups. II. Nine neonatal calves were allotted to 3 exptl. groups and fed rations consisting of synthetic milks which varied only in the carbohydrate component. Calves receiving corn syrup plus lactose (KL) gained an avg. of 28.33 lbs., those receiving starch plus lactose (SL) gained an avg. of 24.67 pounds, while calves on starch (S) averaged only 14 lbs. in 31 days. The efficiency of feed utilization, expressed as lbs. of gain per lb. of dry matter consumed, was 0.487, 0.412 and 0.204 for the KL, SL and S groups, respectively. Serial blood samples were collected before a test meal and at 1/4, 1/2, 1,2, 4, 6, and 8 hrs. after feeding and analyzed for blood sugar. The blood sugar level rose rapidly after the ingestion of glucose lactose or corn syrup, with the maximum concn. at 4, 4 and 1 hrs. after feeding, respectively. Following starch ingestion there was no change in blood sugar the first 4 hrs. and only a moderate increase at 6 and 8 hrs.