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Studies on the Chemical Composition of Calf Blood
STUDIES ON T H E CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF CALF BLOOD ~ A. E. TEERI,~ It. A. KEENER,"- .~'I) K. S. MORROW2
New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, Durl~am
A study, conducted by the Department of Dairy Husbandry of this Experiment Station, pertaining to the raising of dairy herd replacements on dry calf rations, offered an excellent opportunity for obtaining a considerable amount of data concerning the values for several blood constituents of young calves. The components studied were carotene, ascorbic acid. nicotinic acid, calcium, phosphorus, glucose, cholesterol, and non-protein nitrogen; and the results of these analyses are presented in this report. EXPERIMENTAL
Experimental a~vimals. Guernsey, Jersey, and Holstein calves under five months of age were used in this study. They were maintained in individual pens for the duration of the experiment. Whole milk was fed in limited amounts for six to eight weeks, and a dry calf ration and mixed hay were added to the dietary as soon as the animals would consume them. The calves used in obtaining the following data made weight gains within the usual range and were apparently normal in all respects. Methods of analysis. Carotene was determined spectrophotometrically at a wave-length of 450 rap, after extraction as described by Yudkin (13). while ascorbic acid was measured according to the method of Mindlin and Butler (9). Non-protein nitrogen was determined by the method of Koch and McMeekin (8), sugar by the method of Folin and Wu (5), inorganic phosphorus according to Fiske and Subbarow (4), and analyses for calcium were carried out by the Clark-Collip procedure (3). Values for plasma cholesterol were obtained essentially as described by Sackett (11), while nicotinic acid determinations were carried out according to a method previously reported from the Chemical Laboratory of this Experiment Station (12) after extraction as described by Friedemann and Barborka (6). Final measurements of the above blood constituents, with the exception of carotene , which was determined spectrophotometrical]y, and calciunl, which was determined titrimetrically, were carried out by use of a Klett-Summerson photoelectric colorimeter. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A significant difference, with respect to plasma carotene was found beReceived for publication May 10, 1946. Scientific Contribution No. 106 of the ~-ew }tampshire Agricultural Experiment Station. 1 Department of Agricultural and Biological Chemistry. 2 Department of Dairy Husbandry.
664
A. E. TEERI~ ET AL. TABLE 1 Carotene
and
ascorbic
acid
values
( H o l s t e i n ca l ve s ) Constituents determined B i r t h to 4 weeks C a r o t e n e .................... A s c o r b i c acid ......... 5 to 8 weeks C a r o t e n e .................. A s c o r b i c acid ...... 9 to 14 weeks Carotene ................. A s e o r b i c a cid ......... 15 to 23 weeks Carotene A s c o r b i c a c i d ....... .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
N u m b e r of calves
N u m b e r of determinations
12 12 12 13
11 11
A m o u n t i n 100 ml. p l a s m a ~ High
Low
20 18
95.0 0.73
7.0 0.22
32.8 0.41
21 23
37.0 0.59
10.0 0.30
20.2 0.45
24 23
41.0 0.66
16.0 0.26
30.0 0.42
26 27
82.0 0.52
16.0 0.26
44.0 0.43
Average
* C a r o t e n e expressed in m i c r o g r a m s ; ascorbi c a c i d e x p r e s s e d i n m i l l i g r a m s .
tween results obtained with the Holstein calves and those obtained with the other two breeds. Furthermore, a preliminary study indicated a possible correlation between this factor and vitamin C. Therefore, two tables have been prepared to show the results for these two blood constituents, table 1 including the Holstein calves only and table 2 including the Jerseys and Guernseys. Since the remaining data did not show such a significant difference, the information presented in tables 3 and 4 represents results obtained with all of the animals used. As it seemed that the data would be more informative if they showed the values for different ages, these tables have been divided into four age ranges covering the period from birth to 23 weeks of age. No attempt has been made to show seasonal variations. TABLE 2 Carotene
and
ascorbic
acid
values
( J e r s e y and G u e r n s e y calves) Constituents determined B i r t h to 4 weeks C a r o t e n e ................ Asco rb ic acid ....... 5 to 8 week s Carotene ................. A s c o r b i c a c i d ......... 9 to 14 weeks Carotene .................... A s c o r b i c acid ...... 15 to 23 weeks C a r o t e n e ........... A s c o r b i c acid ........
N u m b e r of calves
N u m b e r of determinations
A m o u n t i n 100 ml. p l a s m a ~ High
Low
Average
54.0 0.64
12.0 0.30
26.9 0.40
13 12
17 15
74.0 1.00
8.0 0.18
36.0 0.41
11 11
26 27
180.0 0.99
21.0 0.16
61.0 0.45
12 12
37 36
144.0 0.99
21.0 0.22
64.5 0.48
Caro tene e x p r e s s e d in m i c r o g r a m s ; ascorbi c a c i d e x p r e s s e d i n m i l l i g r a m s .
COMPOSITION OF CALF BLOOD
665
H o w e v e r , it s h o u l d be s t a t e d t h a t the v a l u e s shown r e s u l t e d f r o m a n a l y s i s of b l o o d s a m p l e s collected d u r i n g a l l seasons of t h e y e a r . I n t a b l e s 1 a n d 2, v a l u e s f o r c a r o t e n e a n d ascorbic a c i d a r e p r e s e n t e d . F o r these c o n s t i t u e n t s t h e figures shown in the c o l u m n s h e a d e d " h i g h " a n d " l o w " a r e a p p a r e n t l y t r u e extremes, since such v a l u e s w e r e f o u n d in o n l y a r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l n u m b e r of samples. T h e a v e r a g e s , as w o u l d be e x p e c t e d , show a m u c h g r e a t e r c o n s t a n c y , a n d also c l e a r l y show t h e c o n s i d e r a b l y l o w e r values obtained with the Holsteins, particularly for plasma carotene. From these a v e r a g e values, it is seen t h a t the b l o o d c a r o t e n e i n c r e a s e s b u t s l i g h t l y , o r even decreases, d u r i n g t h e first f e w weeks, u n d o u b t e d l y d u e to t h e u s i n g u p of r e s e r v e s f u r n i s h e d b y colostrum, a n d t h e n s t e a d i l y i n c r e a s e s as h a y c o n s u m p t i o n increases. T h e a s c o r b i c a c i d v a l u e s show no p a r t i c u l a r c o r r e TABLE 3 Calcium, phosphorus,
Constituents determined Birth to 4 weeks Calcium .................... Phosphorus ............... Glucose ..................... 5 to 8 weeks Calcium ...................... Phosphorus .............. Glucose ................... 9 to 14 weeks Calcium ..................... Phosphorus ............... Glucose ...................... 15 to 23 weeks Calcium ..................... Phosphorus ............... Glucose ......................
and glucose values ~
:Number of calves
Number of determinations
High
Low
Average
]2 12 11
21 22 20
13.0 7.0 150.0
10.9 5.1 77.7
12.12 6.18 110.00
17 17 16
24 29 28
12.8 7.9 113.0
10.0 5.0 60.8
11.68 6.46 89.70
12 12 12
23 33 30
12.0 8.5 93.5
9.7 4.5 64.3
11.03 6.05 75.70
15 14 15
38 43 44
12.6 7.9 86.0
9.8 5.1 60.0
11.03 6.53 74.20
eng. p e r 100 cal.
Calcium was determined on serum; phosphorus and glucose on whole blood. l a t i o n w i t h age, t h e a v e r a g e s r e m a i n i n g q u i t e c o n s t a n t . T h e v a l u e s f o u n d were s l i g h t l y h i g h e r t h a n those p r e v i o u s l y r e p o r t e d b y B o r t r e e , H u f f m a n n , a n d D u n c a n (1) b u t t h e f i n d i n g of w i d e v a r i a t i o n s is in a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h e i r results. F u r t h e r m o r e , i t a p p e a r s t h a t b r e e d differences w i t h r e s p e c t to t h i s f a c t o r a r e n o t significant f o r calves of the age r a n g e s t u d i e d . T h e r e does n o t a p p e a r to be a n y c o r r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n age a n d blood c a l c i u m a n d p h o s p h o r u s v a l u e s ( t a b l e 3), over the p a r t i c u l a r age r a n g e s t u d i e d . T h e a v e r a g e s f o u n d f o r b o t h of these c o n s t i t u e n t s are, however, s l i g h t l y h i g h e r t h a n those r e p o r t e d f o r o l d e r a n i m a l s b y K e n n e d y , A n d e r son, Bechdel, a n d S h i g l e y (7). B l o o d glucose, however, does show a defin i t e d e c r e a s e w i t h age, a n d t h e d a t a of t a b l e 3 u p o n which t h i s s t a t e m e n t is b a s e d a g r e e e x c e e d i n g l y well w i t h t h e f i n d i n g s of these w o r k e r s (7). T h e c h o l e s t e r o l values, seen in t a b l e 4, a r e of c o n s i d e r a b l e i n t e r e s t since those of t h e g r e a t e s t m a g n i t u d e were f o u n d in the y o u n g e s t age g r o u p , r a t h e r
666
A.E.
TEERIt ET AL.
closely paralleling the results found for glucose, while the values found for the older canes are of the order of those which have been reported by Boyd (2) for cows. I t is a rather well established fact that blood cholesterol values are affected by various factors; however, it is not yet possible to state the fundamental reason for such changes. Muller (10) in 1929 stated that the blood cholesterol level is "controlled by some substance which is present in varying amounts in animal organs." Possibly this "controlling f a c t o r " is of particular significance in the early life of the calf. In this same table are presented the values found for non-protein nitrogen and for nicotinic acid. The former, although slightly lower, are in good agreement with similar values found for older animals in a study previously TABLE
4
Cholesterol, nicotinic acid, and non-protein nitrogen values ~ Constituents determined B i r t h to 4 weeks Cholesterol (total) Nicotinic acid .... N . P . N ...................... 5 to 8 weeks Cholesterol (total) Nicotinic acid ......
N.P.N 9 to
..................... weeks
14
Cholesterol (total) Nicotinic acid ...... N . P . N ...................... 15 to 23 weeks Cholesterol (total) Nicotinic acid ..... N . P . N
....................
N u m b e r of calves
N u m b e r of determinations
High
I
Low
I Average
14 7 Ii
24 9 20
180.0 1.48 42.4
87.0 0.39 23.0
130.0 0.98 29.40
24 14 16
42 21 29
158.0 1.42 40.0
86.0 0.19 24.0
124.5 0.81 29.00
20 12 12
49 30 30
186.0 1.21 36.7
71.0 0.18 22.0
108.3 0.86 31.40
16 9 15
51 14 42
143.0 1.26 34.8
82.0 0.40 23.0
108.8 0.79 29.70
rag. per 100 ml.
Cholesterol was determined on p l a s m a ; nicotinic acid and N P N on whole blood.
cited (7). As for the nicotinic acid results, extensive data are lacking in the literature with which to make comparisons. Hence, these values, although resulting from too few determinations to warrant any definite conclnsions, can, when supplemented by further investigations, be of considerable significance in the establishment of what might be considered the normal range of values for this vitamin in the blood of calves. SUMMARY
Data resulting from a large number of analyses for several blood constituents of normal Jersey, Guernsey, and Holstein calves have been presented. The results, tabulated in the form of ranges of values found, show what might be considered as normal values for calves of the age groups studied. An attempt was made, not to show the variations found in single animals, but rather to show average values for a fairly large number of
COMPOSITION OF CALF BLOOD animals.
Correlation of the data with age has been made by presenting
667 the
r e s u l t s i n f o u r d i v i s i o n s , c o v e r i n g t h e p e r i o d f r o m b i r t h t o 23 w e e k s o f age. REFERENCES (1) BOETREE, A. L., HUFFI~AN, C. F., AND DUNCAN, C. W. Normal Variations in the Amount of Ascorbic Acid in the Blood of Dairy Cattle. JOVE. DAIRY SCI., 25: 983-990. 1942. (2) BOYD, E. M. Species Variation in Normal Plasma Lipids Estimated by Oxidative Micromethods. Jour. Biol. Chem., 143: 131-132. 1942. (3) CLARK, E. P., AND COLLIP, J . B . Study of the Tisdall Method for the Determination of Blood Serum Calcium with a Suggested Modification. Jour. Biol. Chem., 63: 461-464. 1925. (4) ]~ISKE, C. H., AND SUBBAROW, Y. The Colorimetric Determination of Phosphorus. Jour. Biol. Chem., 66: 375-400. 1925. (5) FOLIN, O., AND WU, H. A System of Blood Analysis. Jour. Biol. Chem., 41: 367-374. 1920. (6) FRIEDEMANN, T. E., AND BARBORKA, C. J'. A Procedure for the Decolorization of Acid Digestion Mixtures for the Determination of Nicotinic Acid. Jour. Biol. Chem., 138: 785-786. 1941. (7) KENNEDY, W. L., ANDERSON, A. K., BECHDEL~ S. L, AND SHIGLEY, J. F. Studies on the Composition of Bovine Blood as Influenced by Gestation, Lactation~ and Age. JouE. DAI~Y ScI., 22: 251-260. 1939. (8) KOCH, F. C., AND MCMEEKI.N', T . L . A New Direct Nesslerization Micro-Kjeldahl Method and a Modification of the Nessler-Folin Reagent for Ammonia. Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., 46: 2066-2069. 1924. (9) MINDLIN, R. L., AND BUTLER, A. M. The Determination of Ascorbic Acid in Plasma; A Macromethod and Micromethod. Jour. Biol. Chem., 122: 673-686. 1938. (10) MCLLER, C . L . The Serum Cholesterol, Lecithin Phosphorus and F a t t y Acids of Pigeons Fed Beef Tissues. Jour. Biol. Chem., 84: 345-352. 1929. (11) SACKETT, G. E. Modification of Bloor's Method for the Determination of Cholesterol in Whole Blood or Blood Serum. Jour. Biol. Chem., 64: 203-205. 1925. (12) TEERI, A. E., AND SHI:MER,.S. R. A Colorimetric Determination of Nicotinic Acid. Jour. Biol. Chem., 153: 307-311. 1944. (]3) YUDKIN, S. Estimation of ¥ i t a m i n A alfd Carotene in H u m a n Blood. Biochem. Jour., 35" 551-556. 1941.
New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, Durl~am
A study, conducted by the Department of Dairy Husbandry of this Experiment Station, pertaining to the raising of dairy herd replacements on dry calf rations, offered an excellent opportunity for obtaining a considerable amount of data concerning the values for several blood constituents of young calves. The components studied were carotene, ascorbic acid. nicotinic acid, calcium, phosphorus, glucose, cholesterol, and non-protein nitrogen; and the results of these analyses are presented in this report. EXPERIMENTAL
Experimental a~vimals. Guernsey, Jersey, and Holstein calves under five months of age were used in this study. They were maintained in individual pens for the duration of the experiment. Whole milk was fed in limited amounts for six to eight weeks, and a dry calf ration and mixed hay were added to the dietary as soon as the animals would consume them. The calves used in obtaining the following data made weight gains within the usual range and were apparently normal in all respects. Methods of analysis. Carotene was determined spectrophotometrically at a wave-length of 450 rap, after extraction as described by Yudkin (13). while ascorbic acid was measured according to the method of Mindlin and Butler (9). Non-protein nitrogen was determined by the method of Koch and McMeekin (8), sugar by the method of Folin and Wu (5), inorganic phosphorus according to Fiske and Subbarow (4), and analyses for calcium were carried out by the Clark-Collip procedure (3). Values for plasma cholesterol were obtained essentially as described by Sackett (11), while nicotinic acid determinations were carried out according to a method previously reported from the Chemical Laboratory of this Experiment Station (12) after extraction as described by Friedemann and Barborka (6). Final measurements of the above blood constituents, with the exception of carotene , which was determined spectrophotometrical]y, and calciunl, which was determined titrimetrically, were carried out by use of a Klett-Summerson photoelectric colorimeter. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A significant difference, with respect to plasma carotene was found beReceived for publication May 10, 1946. Scientific Contribution No. 106 of the ~-ew }tampshire Agricultural Experiment Station. 1 Department of Agricultural and Biological Chemistry. 2 Department of Dairy Husbandry.
664
A. E. TEERI~ ET AL. TABLE 1 Carotene
and
ascorbic
acid
values
( H o l s t e i n ca l ve s ) Constituents determined B i r t h to 4 weeks C a r o t e n e .................... A s c o r b i c acid ......... 5 to 8 weeks C a r o t e n e .................. A s c o r b i c acid ...... 9 to 14 weeks Carotene ................. A s e o r b i c a cid ......... 15 to 23 weeks Carotene A s c o r b i c a c i d ....... .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
N u m b e r of calves
N u m b e r of determinations
12 12 12 13
11 11
A m o u n t i n 100 ml. p l a s m a ~ High
Low
20 18
95.0 0.73
7.0 0.22
32.8 0.41
21 23
37.0 0.59
10.0 0.30
20.2 0.45
24 23
41.0 0.66
16.0 0.26
30.0 0.42
26 27
82.0 0.52
16.0 0.26
44.0 0.43
Average
* C a r o t e n e expressed in m i c r o g r a m s ; ascorbi c a c i d e x p r e s s e d i n m i l l i g r a m s .
tween results obtained with the Holstein calves and those obtained with the other two breeds. Furthermore, a preliminary study indicated a possible correlation between this factor and vitamin C. Therefore, two tables have been prepared to show the results for these two blood constituents, table 1 including the Holstein calves only and table 2 including the Jerseys and Guernseys. Since the remaining data did not show such a significant difference, the information presented in tables 3 and 4 represents results obtained with all of the animals used. As it seemed that the data would be more informative if they showed the values for different ages, these tables have been divided into four age ranges covering the period from birth to 23 weeks of age. No attempt has been made to show seasonal variations. TABLE 2 Carotene
and
ascorbic
acid
values
( J e r s e y and G u e r n s e y calves) Constituents determined B i r t h to 4 weeks C a r o t e n e ................ Asco rb ic acid ....... 5 to 8 week s Carotene ................. A s c o r b i c a c i d ......... 9 to 14 weeks Carotene .................... A s c o r b i c acid ...... 15 to 23 weeks C a r o t e n e ........... A s c o r b i c acid ........
N u m b e r of calves
N u m b e r of determinations
A m o u n t i n 100 ml. p l a s m a ~ High
Low
Average
54.0 0.64
12.0 0.30
26.9 0.40
13 12
17 15
74.0 1.00
8.0 0.18
36.0 0.41
11 11
26 27
180.0 0.99
21.0 0.16
61.0 0.45
12 12
37 36
144.0 0.99
21.0 0.22
64.5 0.48
Caro tene e x p r e s s e d in m i c r o g r a m s ; ascorbi c a c i d e x p r e s s e d i n m i l l i g r a m s .
COMPOSITION OF CALF BLOOD
665
H o w e v e r , it s h o u l d be s t a t e d t h a t the v a l u e s shown r e s u l t e d f r o m a n a l y s i s of b l o o d s a m p l e s collected d u r i n g a l l seasons of t h e y e a r . I n t a b l e s 1 a n d 2, v a l u e s f o r c a r o t e n e a n d ascorbic a c i d a r e p r e s e n t e d . F o r these c o n s t i t u e n t s t h e figures shown in the c o l u m n s h e a d e d " h i g h " a n d " l o w " a r e a p p a r e n t l y t r u e extremes, since such v a l u e s w e r e f o u n d in o n l y a r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l n u m b e r of samples. T h e a v e r a g e s , as w o u l d be e x p e c t e d , show a m u c h g r e a t e r c o n s t a n c y , a n d also c l e a r l y show t h e c o n s i d e r a b l y l o w e r values obtained with the Holsteins, particularly for plasma carotene. From these a v e r a g e values, it is seen t h a t the b l o o d c a r o t e n e i n c r e a s e s b u t s l i g h t l y , o r even decreases, d u r i n g t h e first f e w weeks, u n d o u b t e d l y d u e to t h e u s i n g u p of r e s e r v e s f u r n i s h e d b y colostrum, a n d t h e n s t e a d i l y i n c r e a s e s as h a y c o n s u m p t i o n increases. T h e a s c o r b i c a c i d v a l u e s show no p a r t i c u l a r c o r r e TABLE 3 Calcium, phosphorus,
Constituents determined Birth to 4 weeks Calcium .................... Phosphorus ............... Glucose ..................... 5 to 8 weeks Calcium ...................... Phosphorus .............. Glucose ................... 9 to 14 weeks Calcium ..................... Phosphorus ............... Glucose ...................... 15 to 23 weeks Calcium ..................... Phosphorus ............... Glucose ......................
and glucose values ~
:Number of calves
Number of determinations
High
Low
Average
]2 12 11
21 22 20
13.0 7.0 150.0
10.9 5.1 77.7
12.12 6.18 110.00
17 17 16
24 29 28
12.8 7.9 113.0
10.0 5.0 60.8
11.68 6.46 89.70
12 12 12
23 33 30
12.0 8.5 93.5
9.7 4.5 64.3
11.03 6.05 75.70
15 14 15
38 43 44
12.6 7.9 86.0
9.8 5.1 60.0
11.03 6.53 74.20
eng. p e r 100 cal.
Calcium was determined on serum; phosphorus and glucose on whole blood. l a t i o n w i t h age, t h e a v e r a g e s r e m a i n i n g q u i t e c o n s t a n t . T h e v a l u e s f o u n d were s l i g h t l y h i g h e r t h a n those p r e v i o u s l y r e p o r t e d b y B o r t r e e , H u f f m a n n , a n d D u n c a n (1) b u t t h e f i n d i n g of w i d e v a r i a t i o n s is in a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h e i r results. F u r t h e r m o r e , i t a p p e a r s t h a t b r e e d differences w i t h r e s p e c t to t h i s f a c t o r a r e n o t significant f o r calves of the age r a n g e s t u d i e d . T h e r e does n o t a p p e a r to be a n y c o r r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n age a n d blood c a l c i u m a n d p h o s p h o r u s v a l u e s ( t a b l e 3), over the p a r t i c u l a r age r a n g e s t u d i e d . T h e a v e r a g e s f o u n d f o r b o t h of these c o n s t i t u e n t s are, however, s l i g h t l y h i g h e r t h a n those r e p o r t e d f o r o l d e r a n i m a l s b y K e n n e d y , A n d e r son, Bechdel, a n d S h i g l e y (7). B l o o d glucose, however, does show a defin i t e d e c r e a s e w i t h age, a n d t h e d a t a of t a b l e 3 u p o n which t h i s s t a t e m e n t is b a s e d a g r e e e x c e e d i n g l y well w i t h t h e f i n d i n g s of these w o r k e r s (7). T h e c h o l e s t e r o l values, seen in t a b l e 4, a r e of c o n s i d e r a b l e i n t e r e s t since those of t h e g r e a t e s t m a g n i t u d e were f o u n d in the y o u n g e s t age g r o u p , r a t h e r
666
A.E.
TEERIt ET AL.
closely paralleling the results found for glucose, while the values found for the older canes are of the order of those which have been reported by Boyd (2) for cows. I t is a rather well established fact that blood cholesterol values are affected by various factors; however, it is not yet possible to state the fundamental reason for such changes. Muller (10) in 1929 stated that the blood cholesterol level is "controlled by some substance which is present in varying amounts in animal organs." Possibly this "controlling f a c t o r " is of particular significance in the early life of the calf. In this same table are presented the values found for non-protein nitrogen and for nicotinic acid. The former, although slightly lower, are in good agreement with similar values found for older animals in a study previously TABLE
4
Cholesterol, nicotinic acid, and non-protein nitrogen values ~ Constituents determined B i r t h to 4 weeks Cholesterol (total) Nicotinic acid .... N . P . N ...................... 5 to 8 weeks Cholesterol (total) Nicotinic acid ......
N.P.N 9 to
..................... weeks
14
Cholesterol (total) Nicotinic acid ...... N . P . N ...................... 15 to 23 weeks Cholesterol (total) Nicotinic acid ..... N . P . N
....................
N u m b e r of calves
N u m b e r of determinations
High
I
Low
I Average
14 7 Ii
24 9 20
180.0 1.48 42.4
87.0 0.39 23.0
130.0 0.98 29.40
24 14 16
42 21 29
158.0 1.42 40.0
86.0 0.19 24.0
124.5 0.81 29.00
20 12 12
49 30 30
186.0 1.21 36.7
71.0 0.18 22.0
108.3 0.86 31.40
16 9 15
51 14 42
143.0 1.26 34.8
82.0 0.40 23.0
108.8 0.79 29.70
rag. per 100 ml.
Cholesterol was determined on p l a s m a ; nicotinic acid and N P N on whole blood.
cited (7). As for the nicotinic acid results, extensive data are lacking in the literature with which to make comparisons. Hence, these values, although resulting from too few determinations to warrant any definite conclnsions, can, when supplemented by further investigations, be of considerable significance in the establishment of what might be considered the normal range of values for this vitamin in the blood of calves. SUMMARY
Data resulting from a large number of analyses for several blood constituents of normal Jersey, Guernsey, and Holstein calves have been presented. The results, tabulated in the form of ranges of values found, show what might be considered as normal values for calves of the age groups studied. An attempt was made, not to show the variations found in single animals, but rather to show average values for a fairly large number of
COMPOSITION OF CALF BLOOD animals.
Correlation of the data with age has been made by presenting
667 the
r e s u l t s i n f o u r d i v i s i o n s , c o v e r i n g t h e p e r i o d f r o m b i r t h t o 23 w e e k s o f age. REFERENCES (1) BOETREE, A. L., HUFFI~AN, C. F., AND DUNCAN, C. W. Normal Variations in the Amount of Ascorbic Acid in the Blood of Dairy Cattle. JOVE. DAIRY SCI., 25: 983-990. 1942. (2) BOYD, E. M. Species Variation in Normal Plasma Lipids Estimated by Oxidative Micromethods. Jour. Biol. Chem., 143: 131-132. 1942. (3) CLARK, E. P., AND COLLIP, J . B . Study of the Tisdall Method for the Determination of Blood Serum Calcium with a Suggested Modification. Jour. Biol. Chem., 63: 461-464. 1925. (4) ]~ISKE, C. H., AND SUBBAROW, Y. The Colorimetric Determination of Phosphorus. Jour. Biol. Chem., 66: 375-400. 1925. (5) FOLIN, O., AND WU, H. A System of Blood Analysis. Jour. Biol. Chem., 41: 367-374. 1920. (6) FRIEDEMANN, T. E., AND BARBORKA, C. J'. A Procedure for the Decolorization of Acid Digestion Mixtures for the Determination of Nicotinic Acid. Jour. Biol. Chem., 138: 785-786. 1941. (7) KENNEDY, W. L., ANDERSON, A. K., BECHDEL~ S. L, AND SHIGLEY, J. F. Studies on the Composition of Bovine Blood as Influenced by Gestation, Lactation~ and Age. JouE. DAI~Y ScI., 22: 251-260. 1939. (8) KOCH, F. C., AND MCMEEKI.N', T . L . A New Direct Nesslerization Micro-Kjeldahl Method and a Modification of the Nessler-Folin Reagent for Ammonia. Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., 46: 2066-2069. 1924. (9) MINDLIN, R. L., AND BUTLER, A. M. The Determination of Ascorbic Acid in Plasma; A Macromethod and Micromethod. Jour. Biol. Chem., 122: 673-686. 1938. (10) MCLLER, C . L . The Serum Cholesterol, Lecithin Phosphorus and F a t t y Acids of Pigeons Fed Beef Tissues. Jour. Biol. Chem., 84: 345-352. 1929. (11) SACKETT, G. E. Modification of Bloor's Method for the Determination of Cholesterol in Whole Blood or Blood Serum. Jour. Biol. Chem., 64: 203-205. 1925. (12) TEERI, A. E., AND SHI:MER,.S. R. A Colorimetric Determination of Nicotinic Acid. Jour. Biol. Chem., 153: 307-311. 1944. (]3) YUDKIN, S. Estimation of ¥ i t a m i n A alfd Carotene in H u m a n Blood. Biochem. Jour., 35" 551-556. 1941.