Pancreatic b-cell function differs between newborn Belgian Blue and Holstein calves

摘要: The activity of pancreatic b-cells was compared between newborn double-muscled Belgian Blue (BB, n= 42) and Holstein Friesian (HF, n= 38) calves. After an overnight fast, 3 days old calves were weighed and their withers height was measured. Blood samples were obtained before and 10 min after the infusion of a standardized glucose bolus (150 mg glucose/kg body weight). Body weights were 51.2±9.03 kg for BB and 41.1±5.56 kg for HF calves. A significant breed effect was found regarding the body mass index (BMI, body weight/height2) of the calves, which was 95.5±11.33 for BB and 70.2±7.33 for HF