Postprandial lipids in blood plasma of preruminant calves.

Four 3-wk-old calves were fed twice a day a milk replacer containing 21% tallow. Lipids in blood plasma were studied for 7 h after the morning meal. Fatty acid concentration in each class of lipids was determined by internal standard procedure. Results were homogenous among animals. Postprandial time had a highly significant effect on both qualitative and quantitative aspects of fatty acids in plasma. A considerable increase in phospholipemia and ester cholesterolemia was seen 5 h after the meal. Increases in triglyceridemia were seen both 3 and 7 h after the meal. The former was related to highly saturated triglycerides resembling alimentary triglycerides. Two hours after the meal, the nonesterified fatty acid pattern showed high saturation.