[Physiological variables in calves and their significance for vitality and growth]

Calves from the dairy herd and from the mother cow herd and their dams were investigated just after parturition and the calves at the first two days of life and between fifteen and twenty days and than at ninety days of life as well using whole day heart rate and video recording, results of venous blood sample analysis and body growth and health criteria. The great variation of physiological variables in calves can partly be explained by maturity, degree of adaptation, gender, time of day and the birth course. Relationships between physiological variables and the adaptability, body growth performance and the degree of adaptation to specific rearing condition could be pointed out.