Biomedical subjects

H H Thielscher

Publications and source records attributed to H H Thielscher.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

[Reactions of dairy calves exposed to transport stress at 60 days of age. Effects of various rearing conditions in the developmental quality of calves on physiological variables and their changes].

Dairy calves reared in groups of constant (Gk, N = 16, m 8, w 8) and changing composition (Gw, N = 16, m 8, w 8) and single box reared calves (E, N = 15, m 8, w 7) were exposed to transport stress lasting around 60 minutes at 60 days of age. Long term measurements of heart rate (HF) were combined with blood sampling (V. jugularis) before and immediately after transport and at the following day as well. Mean differences of HF, Hb, Hk, lactate and blood urea between groups were found at all sampling points. After transport mean values of HF, MetHb, pO2, O2SAT and O2CONT were increased in all calves and such of HHb were decreased. Measures of acid-base balance and lactate changed differently in calves of the three rearing groups concerning direction and degree. Changing of the variables after transport comparing the starting values was different between rearing groups in 16 out of 25 possible cases. Changing of variables immediately after transport showed strong negative correlations with starting values in case of pH, HCO3, base excess, COHb, total protein, albumin, lactate, glucose and Ca in all groups, in all other cases not in all groups. Strong correlations between sampling points of Hb, Hk, MCHC, O2CONT, O2CAP, creatinine, blood urea and of the minerals indicate a high individual specificity of these measures. Results proof variation components of physiological variables in calves caused by husbandry conditions and their effects on reactions of animals in case of transport stress.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed2000

[Reactions of dairy cows to ACTH administration and ingestion of liquid feed at different age points before and in the course of rearing with automatic milk feeding--plasma cortisol, saliva cortisol, hematologic, metabolic variables and heart rate].

On dairy calves (totally 35 animals; 14 male; 21 female) measurements of rectal temperature, heart rate and blood values (acid-base balance, Hb, Hk, MCHC, gas content and gas pressure, hemoglobin derivatives, cortisol, total protein, albumin, blood urea, creatinine, glucose, lactate, Ca, Mg, P, Fe) and of salivary cortisol were done before and after i.v. ACTH application and liquid feed intake at 5, 15, 40 and 60 days of life age. Mean values of P-cortisol, S-cortisol, heart rate and COHb were elevated and those of total protein, albumin, Mg, Hb, Hk, O2CAP were decreased after i.v. ACTH and feed intake. Mean glucose and P concentration changed differently in younger and older calves after ACTH and liquid feed intake. Changes of Ca and Fe concentration were not significant at all age points. Effects of gender could be found for cortisol, O2CONT, MCHC, total protein, creatinine, lactate, Mg, and Ca at some age points. Initial P-cortisol levels were higher at 5 and 15 days than at 40 and 60 days of life, the levels after stimulation were higher at 5 days than at 15, 40 and 60 days. Initial levels of S-cortisol were significantly different between all age points, the levels after stimulation were not different. Female calves had significantly greater P-cortisol values at 40 and 60 days as male calves and at 40 days greater S-cortisol values too. Significant correlations between P-cortisol and S-cortisol could be found before stimulation (5 days: r = 0.626; 15 days: r = 0.366; 60 days: r = 0.357) not thereafter. All measures except P-cortisol, S-cortisol, O2SAT, and HHb had significant correlations before and after ACTH and liquid feed intake indicating great interindividual variation and individual specificity of reaction within this growth period. Results were discussed under the viewpoint of reactivity of adrenocortex and steroid distribution concerning organ specific effects of steroids in calves.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1999

[Quality of development and adaptation reactions of dairy calves at specific age periods in early life. Effect of rearing variations on proteins and minerals and on metabolic variables of blood].

Calves from the dairy herd of the institute reared in groups with changing (Gw, N 16, m 9, w 7) and constant composition (Gk, N 16, m 9, w 7) since the first day of life and single box reared calves (E, N 11, m 7, w 4) were tested at 15, 30, 60 and 90 days of age. Venous blood samples were analysed for total protein, albumin, creatinine, blood urea, glucose, Ca, Mg, P and iron. At 15 days between group differences of mean values existed for total protein, albumin, blood urea, creatinine and at 30 days for rectal temperature, albumin, blood urea, Ca, P and Fe, at 60 days for blood urea, glucose, Ca, Mg, P and at 90 days for total protein, albumin, creatinine, glucose, Mg and P. Interactions between group and gender could not be demonstrated. Significant changes of variables with age were most frequent in calves of group Gk, and more frequent with creatinine, blood urea, Fe and glucose. Creatinine concentration diminished permanently with age of the animals, that one of total protein and albumin increased moderately. Blood urea was higher at 90 days, and serum iron at 60 and 90 days than before. Blood glucose concentration at 90 days was lower in calves of group Gw and Gk comparing group E. Significant group differences appeared at 15 days (total protein, albumin, blood urea, creatinine) and remained till 60 days (blood urea) and 90 days (total protein, albumin) or became stronger at 90 days (creatinine). Total protein, albumin and blood urea were higher in group E than in group Gk and Gw calves. Group Gw calves had smallest glucose concentrations at 60 and 90 days. Significant between groups differences for Ca, Mg, P existed for all sampling points, those for serum iron at 30 days only. Greater Ca and Mg values were found in group Gk and group E calves, greater P concentrations up to 60 days of age in group E calves. P concentrations changed differently in group Gk and group Gw calves with age. Creatinine showed moderately high between sampling point correlations. Changes of variables in calves between age points in relation to the starting situation at 15 days of age showed significant correlations in many cases meaning that there were directed individual and time specific adaptation processes.

Aging↗

PubMed1998

[Reactions of young dairy calves and young suckling calves from the mother cow herds to transportation induced stress--effects of age and rearing conditions].

Single box reared dairy calves (TK) and suckler calves (SK) from a mother cow herd were exposed to uniformly performed short-haul road transports. Long lasting measurements by way of heart rate recording, body temperature, body weight and blood sampling before and just after finishing transport and in the morning of next day as well were used assessing the strain and adaptation of calves of 3 to 7 days, of 8 to 15 days and of more than 15 days of postnatal age. Blood samples were analyzed for acid base balance, gas content, haemoglobin derivatives and haemoglobin variants, protein, metabolites, minerals and cortisol. Different mean values between age groups and sampling points could be found for heart rate, body temperature, pCO2, BE, HCO3, total protein, creatinine, blood urea, glucose, lactate, cortisol, methaemoglobin, Mg, Ca, P. In suckler calves heart rate, body temperature, total protein, P and fraction of MetHb were higher and creatinine, lactate and cortisol were lower than in dairy calves. Different means between sampling points existed for heart rate, cortisol, body temperature except SK > 15 days, lactate except SK 8-15 days and glucose except TK 3-7 and TK 8-15 days. Results show relative intensity and degree of strain imposed to young calves in case of transport, the preferentially affected variables and the importance of time factors (age of animals, infradian rhythmicity, relationship between the start of a reaction and concentration changes in body fluids) for the change of physiological variables of young animals exposed to transport.

Aging↗

PubMed1997

[Maturational quality, adaptation reactions and clinical-chemical blood values in automatically milk-fed bred milk calves].

Calves of the dairy herd were used for this investigation. Body weight and growth rate were measured at 4, 6, 10, 12 and 13 weeks of life and venous blood acid base status, gas content, creatinine, urea, total protein, Ca, Mg, P, Na, K, Cl, Fe and catecholamine content at 15 days and at 90 days of age as well. Changes of blood values were analyzed in connection with growth performance and with the blood values of calves at 15 days of age testing the individually different degrees of adaptation and development.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

PubMed1997

[Hemoglobin derivatives in blood of cattle during during winter housing. Effect of age as well as developmental and functional conditions].

Peripheral venous blood samples taken from pregnant and lactating dairy cattle, from young cattle and from new born calves as well were analysed for hemoglobin content, hematocrit, oxygen saturation, oxygen capacity, oxygen content and for the hemoglobin derivatives O2Hb, HHb, COHb, MetHb and SHb. Significant differences of mean values could be pointed out between age groups and breeds. Strong negative correlations exist between MetHb fraction and hemoglobin content in dairy cattle and in new born calves but not in young cattle. Elevated COHb and MetHb fractions were discussed in connection with erythropoesis, regeneration of erythrocyte mass and vascular adaptation.

Aging↗

PubMed1997

[Reactions of non pregnant and and of cattle at different stages of pregnancy from the Holstein Friesian breed (HF) and from the old type German black and white breed (DSB) exposed to transport stress: variation and individual reaction patterns of hormone metabolic and hematologic variables].

Breeding animal transports between parts of our institute were used assessing effects of age of animals, of breed, of their functional state and of individual specificity of reaction patterns using peripheral venous blood samples. Increased mean values of Hb, Hk, body temperature, total protein, albumin, FT4, T4, FT3, T3, cortisol, adrenaline and decreased ones of body weight, Pa, Fe, noradrenaline were found after transport stress. Comparing age matched groups of DSB and HF breed higher concentrations of total protein, creatinine, lactate, cortisol, FT4, T3 and FT3 and lower ones of albumin, blood urea and Fe could be observed in animals of DSB breed before and after transport. Strong correlations existed on 14 variables within animals before and after transport stress meaning there could be individual specificity of some blood parameters.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

[Thyroid hormones in dairy calves after birth and in the first days of life. Amplitude of variation, maternal-fetal relationships and reaction patterns specific to the individual].

Dairy calves and their dams from the dairy herd of the institute were used for this investigation. Calvings were watch carefully and jugular venous blood samples taken immediately after delivery from the cow and the calf and in the calf at 24 hours and at 48 hours of postnatal age as well were analyzed for T4, FT4, T3 and FT3 by luminescence enzyme immunoassay (LEIA). Higher thyroid values in calves than in their dams could be found increasing short after birth and reaching their highest level within 24 hours of postnatal life. The individual thyroid hormone values at birth and at 24 hours and at 48 hours of age are well correlated meaning the changes during the first days are specific for each calf. Strong correlation between the thyroid hormone values of the cows and those of the calves could be found. Mean values of thyroid hormones were significantly higher in female than in male calves all time but not different in the dams of these calves.

Aging↗

PubMed1995

[The acid-base balance in the blood of calves of different breeds in a mother cow herd raised on deep straw and strawless conditions].

The influence of two different animal loose housing systems (deep litter resp. gum lying area/slatted floor) with additional calf pen on blood gases and buffer systems in the blood of 19 calves of the breed Deutsche Schwarzbunte and 20 calves of the breed Deutsche Rotbunte of both sexes in a suckler cow herd was examined in a period from the first to the sixth month of life. The pH of the blood remains within the well-known small limit of variability, and no exogenic influences could be seen. Age dependent course up to the third or fourth month of life found out in the factors of oxygen content and oxygen transport, which reflect the development to adults. The pCO2 is higher in calves kept on slatted floor, and the difference is significant in the second and sixth month of life. No significant differences found out in buffer base between the loose housing systems but a slow decrease is perceptible with the development to ruminant conditions. In the behaviour of calves no significant differences could be seen but calves on slatted floor had some more distance to their mothers. No sex and breed specific differences found out in behaviour or physiological data. In conclusion, an extensive suckler cow management in different equipped loose housing systems is practicable provided, the calves have a separate calf pen.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

PubMed1995

[Adaptation reaction of dairy calves in the first days of life. Effects of type of delivery and individuality of the newborn].

Surveying a calving period of tethered dairy cows, newborn dairy calves of different breeds were investigated just after birth and at 24 hours and 48 hours of their postnatal life as well. Blood samples taken by venipuncture in calves were analyzed for acid-base-balance, hemoglobin, catecholamine and cortisol. Comparing the mean values of the newborns from calvings without assistance, with slight pulling and with heavy pulling, differences could be found only in the first hours of postnatal life between some of them without hemoglobin content of the blood that was of individually specificity and all the time lowest in calves delivered by heavy traction. Great scattering of and strong relationship between some of the measured values are assessed on the basis of constitutional features, maturity and adaptability of the calves.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1995

[Clinical chemical and hematological blood values and adaptation reactions in suckling calves in the first weeks of life].

Suckler calves of the mother cow herd were used for this investigation. Body weight, growth rate and venous blood acid base status, gas content, creatinine, urea, lactate, total protein, albumin, Ca, Mg, Na, K and Cl were measured at 20, 60 and 90 days of postnatal life. Body weight and growth rate showed strong correlations with some blood values especially at 60 and 90 days of age meaning that adaptation is performed successful in some calves and incomplete in others. Disproportionate growth of body parts and the limited oxygen-carrying capacity below the oxygen needs of the tissues may cause the great lactate values in some calves of all age groups.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1995

[Thyroid hormones in cesarean-delivered suckling calves after birth and in the first days of life--maternofetal relations and early postnatal adaptation reactions].

Caesarean section delivered suckler calves and their dams from the mother cow herd were used for this investigation. Jugular venous blood samples taken immediately after delivery from the cow and the calf and in the calf at 24 hours and at 48 hours of postnatal age as well were analyzed for T4, FT4, T3 and FT3 by luminescence enzyme immunoassay. Strong correlation between the thyroid hormone values of the cow and those of the calf could be found. Higher thyroid hormone values were measured in calves increasing further at 24 hours of age and then decreasing a little at 48 hours of age with higher values in female than in male calves. A strong correlation existed between T3 and heart rate of the calves.

Aging↗

PubMed1994

[Reactions of heifers in early pregnancy and their offspring delivered at term by cesarean section and in the first postpartum days in a cow-calf operation].

In 11 heifers originating from one mother cow herd and in their offspring delivered by cesarean section heart rate recordings were taken during their staying in the calving box and later on in group housing. Heart rate showed a rhythmicity in accordance with behavioural physiological reactions. The mean heart rate of a 24 hour period in an animal was different between and within the newborn and elder animals. The mean heart rate was increasing in the calves during the first days of their postnatal life and decreasing in the mother cows within some days after parturition. Blood samples taken repeatedly in 9 heifers via an indwelling catheter and in their offspring short after birth and at 24 and 48 hours by venipuncture as well were analysed for acid-base status, cortisol, noradrenaline, adrenaline, hemoglobin and lactate. Comparing the results with other investigations can be used for evaluating the strain of delivery by cesarean section for the young and the mother as well as revealing main influences on the reactions of the animals and their individual specificity.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

PubMed1994

[Blood gases and pH value in swine anesthetized with barbiturate].

The influence of short term anaesthesia with the N-methyl barbiturate Eunarcon on the pH and blood gases was investigated in 19 clinical healthy male castrated pigs of the breed Large White, three months old and with a mean body weight of 30 kg. The factors of oxygen in the blood--content, saturation of hemoglobin, O2 partial pressure--are diminished continuously during anaesthesia, with a decrease of pO2 on 77% of the initial value. The pCO2 increased, and the peak value of 11% above the initial level was seen already 10 minutes after starting the anaesthesia. The pH value like a seismograph of the ionic balance is not changed significantly. The results are discussed in connection with problems of medication and control of intravenous anaesthesia.

Anesthesia↗

PubMed1994

[Heart rate frequency and constitutional features of high yielding dairy cows in intensively managed and environmentally protected pasture].

The heart rate measured continuously in grazing cows over 24 hours is significantly different during specific behavioural patterns of an animal and is influenced by the stage of pregnancy of the cow. Repeated measurements of blood urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin and glucose concentration in these animals permit conclusions about the changes of body weight and of the liver function and hormonal integration of energy substrate supply. Living on pasture during the summer period the cows showed the lowest hemoglobin content and hematocrit level of the blood, which increased when the animals were housed in autumn or when near the end of their final trimester of pregnancy. Important differences, especially in the blood values, were found between the groups and within the groups between younger and older cows.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1994

[Hemoglobin level and lactate concentration in calves kept under extensive and intensive husbandry conditions].

The influence of different housing systems on hemoglobin content and lactate concentration in the blood of 42 calves in a suckler cow herd of the breeds Deutsche Schwarzbunte and Deutsche Rotbunte, and 34 male veal calves of the breeds Deutsche Schwarzbunte and Holstein-Friesian was examined in a period from the first to the fifth month of life. The results are the follows: In calves of the suckler cow herd the hemoglobin content increases continuously, whereas the hemoglobin peak in veal calves is in the second month of life. Divergent values in favour of calves in the suckler cow herd are indicated from the twelfth week of life. In comparison of hemoglobin content with an earlier investigation in calves from the same suckler cow herd an annual rhythm can be assumed. In blood lactate, significant differences between the experimental groups are determined from the second month of life with the higher values in veal calves, except the third month with higher values in suckling calves. The results are discussed in connection with feeding milk replacer as on feed ration or a whole milk/milk replacer mixture in veal calves, and compared with the conditions of extensive farming animals in a suckler cow herd.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1994

[The hemoglobin concentration in the blood of dairy cattle of different breeds and their offspring during the peripartum period].

Blood samples taken repeatedly from dairy cows on pasture (50 Holstein-Friesian) and then from 181 cows and their newborn calves within 5 to 10 min after birth were used for measurement of haemoglobin content (Hb). Hb decreased with ongoing lactation and pregnancy, increased several weeks before parturition and reached its highest value shortly after birth. There was some individual, breed and age specificity of Hb in dairy cows. Assisted calvings using marked traction resulted in no difference in Hb values of the cows when compared to other calvings; whereas the calves' Hb values were smaller and the difference between calf Hb and cow Hb was greater. A strong correlation between Hb of the cow and Hb of the newborn calf and the difference Hb calf-Hb cow could be found.

Aging↗

PubMed1992

[The acid-base equilibrium in the blood of calves suckled by their mothers and in milk-fattened calves].

The influence of different housing systems on the acid/base balance in the blood of 39 calves in a suckler cow herd of the breeds Deutsche Schwarzbunte and Deutsche Rotbunte, and 25 veal calves of the breeds Deutsche Schwarzbunte and Holstein-Friesian was examined in a period from the first to the sixth month of life. 1. No differences between the test groups were present in the pH of blood. 2. The body temperature was significant higher in calves of the suckler cow herd. 3. Hemoglobin content of the veal calves was significant higher till the third month of life. With increasing age the relations are changed, and at the end of the experimental period significant higher values were found in calves of the suckler cow herd. 4. Marked differences were also present in the carbon dioxide pressure with significant higher values in veal calves. 5. With regard to the metabolic factors of the blood acid/base balance--buffer base, bicarbonate and base deviation--significant higher values were also seen in veal calves. The results are discussed in connection with problems of intensive fattening of calves in comparison to the conditions of calves in suckler cow herds.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗