Physiologic differences between twin and single born beef calves in the first two days of life

Behavioral observations and hematological, serum biochemical and blood gas measurements were made on 8 naturally occurring twin calves during the first 48 hours of life. These values were compared to similar measurements collected from 30 single born calves, born under the same calving conditions. All calves survived to at least 3 weeks of age without physically detectable disease. Although the gestational age of the twins and singles were not different, the twins had a lower mean birth weight. Calving difficulty score, time interval to standing and time interval to nursing were not different between the 2 groups. Twin calves had significantly lower rectal temperatures, arterial oxygen tensions and blood glucose concentrations than the single calves through the first 12 hours of life. Hct, Hgb concentration, and RBC were lower in twin calves throughout the 48 hour period. The N:L ratio was lower in the twins at birth. Mean serum IgG1 concentrations were lower in twins only at 24 hours whereas IgM concentrations were lower at both 24 and 48 hours in twins. Serum chemistry value differences between twin and single calves were most numerous at 24 hours of age when serum proteins, urea nitrogen, total bilirubin, sodium, chloride, and total calcium concentrations were higher in the twins and serum phosphorus concentration was lower in the twins.