Delayed colostrum feeding affects IGF-I and insulin plasma concentrations in neonatal calves

In the neonatal calf, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations are markedly influenced by the amount of colostrum intake after birth, although colostral IGF-I is barely absorbed. In this study we have investigated effects of delayed colostrum intake in neonatal calves on metabolic traits and on IGF-I, IGF binding proteins (IGFBP), growth hormone (GH), and insulin concentrations in plasma. Calves received colostrum of first milking starting at 2 (GrA), 6 (GrB), 12 (GrC), and 24 h (GrD) after birth. Before third colostrum intake plasma total protein concentrations were higher in GrA than in GrD and plasma glucose concentrations were higher in GrC than GrD. Plasma IGF-I concentrations at first and third colostrum intake were higher in GrA than in GrD. Plasma IGFBP-2 concentrations before first colostrum intake were higher in GrD than in GrA and GrC, and were higher before third colostrum intake in GrD than in GrA. Plasma IGFBP-2 concentrations before first colostrum intake were lower in GrD than in GrA, and before third colostrum intake were lower in GrD than in GrA and GrB. Postprandial plasma insulin concentrations after first colostrum intake were higher in GrA than in GrC and GrD. In conclusion, the plasma IGF-I and insulin status are markedly, albeit transiently, decreased in calves fed colostrum with a delay of 12 to 24 h, and the decreased concentrations of plasma IGF-I were associated with decreased IGFBP-3/IGFBP-2 ratios.