Factors affecting the degree of diarrhea in Canchim calves

Abstract

The effects of several factors on the degree of diarrhea of 245 calves born in 1982 and

178 calves born in 1983 were studied. The degree of diarrhea was classified as: no diarrhea, mild diarrhea and strong diarrhea. Parity number of the cow affected (P < 0.01) only the degree of diarrhea of those calves born in 1983. The calves from first parity cows showed higher degree of diarrhea. Sex, color and birth weight of the calves showed no effects on the degree of diarrhea. The linear and quadratic effects of day of birth were highly significant (P < 0.01), and the calves born in July showed less diarrhea. Teat measurements (length and circumference) and milk production of the cows had no effect on the degree of diarrhea, the same happening with the amount of antibodies in the blood of the cow and calf. A high positive correlation between the amounts of antibodies in the blood of the cow and of the calf, and high negative correlations between the amount of antibodies in the blood of the calf and teat measurements suggest that more detailed studies on this area should be undertaken.