[AST, GLDH, gamma-GT, total bilirubin and CK values during the first week of life in healthy premature calves or calves with a late asphyxia syndrome].

The physical condition of 44 calves delivered by caesarean section before term was monitored by clinical and repeated laboratory examinations (analysis of AST, GLDH, gamma-GT, CPK, total bilirubin) during the first seven days of life. The newborns were divided into two groups based on the clinical observations during the first hour of life, the blood pH and the base deficit: Group 1: 30 calves without respiratory distress syndrome (vital, non asphyxial); they did not develop any diseases in the course of the experiment. Group 2: 14 calves with respiratory distress syndrome (asphyxial; 9 of these animals died in the course of the experiment. No significant differences between the vital and asphyxial calves were found in respect to the enzymes AST, GLDH, gamma-GT, CK as well as total bilirubin values measured during the first week of life. These blood parameters were within the normal range for calves delivered at term. The results do not indicate any disorder in liver and muscle functions in prematurely born calves with or without respiratory distress syndrome.