The population trajectory of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Newfoundland is currently determined by low calf survival due to high predation rates during the first 6-8 weeks after parturition. Most caribou in Newfoundland congregate and give birth in open calving grounds; consequently, in order to investigate predator-prey interactions, design research, and develop mitigation strategies, the geographic extent of the caribou calving grounds must be properly identified. We used VHF telemetry locations of caribou calves, collected from 2003-2010, to determine the spatial and temporal extent of caribou calving grounds in three study areas in Newfoundland. We put GPS collars on 47 black bears (Ursus americanus) in 3 caribou ranges where bears are having a significant impact on caribou recruitment by preying on calves during the calving season. Bear movements were greatest during the calving season, potentially increasing encounters with calves. Some bears migrated to the calving grounds just prior to caribou parturition, indicating deliberate broad-scale selection of areas of high calf density. Bears displayed interannual fidelity to calving ground usage patterns during the calving season, with some bears using the calving grounds every year, while others did not. We estimated the probability of a bear spending time in the calving grounds during the calving season as a function of the bear’s sex and mean distance to the calving grounds with logistic regression. We found that as distance increased, the odds of a bear spending time in the calving grounds decreased, and that at any given distance the odds were greater for male bears than for female bears. Our results indicate that some bears in Newfoundland are likely caribou calf predators, while others are not, and that the sex and broad-scale distribution of bears influenced the probability of a bear participating in calf predation during the calving season. The probability distribution of calf-visiting bears could be used to develop management practices to mitigate the impact of bear predation on declining caribou herds in Newfoundland.

The objective of this study was to measure the effects of both a nutritional (water nipple) and social (partner calf) enrichment on calf body weight, grain intake, water intake, behavior and learning. The enrichments included 1) water provided from a nipple vs. a bucket (nutritional) and 2) visual and tactile access to a partner vs. isolated rearing with no visual or tactile access to a partner calf (social). A total of 72 Holstein and Jersey dairy calves were pseudo-randomly distributed into 4 treatments at birth [Individual/Bucket (IB), Paired/Bucket (PB), Individual/Nipple (IN), Paired/Nipple (PN)]. Socially and nutritionally enriched calves drank more water than non-enriched calves (Social: 5.02 ± 0.27 kg/d vs 3.723 ± 0.27 kg/d respectively; P = 0.0009; Nutritional: 4.93 ± 0.27 kg/d vs. 3.81 ± 0.26 kg/d respectively; P = 0.004). No difference in daily grain intake was found between individual or pair reared calves except during wk 8 (1.31 ± 0.07 kg/d vs 1.60 ± 0.07 respectively kg/d; P= 0.04). There were no differences in average body weight among treatments (P > 0.20). Pre-milk delivery, calves reared on a water bucket spent more time standing (P= 0.03) and when paired, less time non-nutritively suckling compared to water nipple reared calves (P = 0.05). Grooming time was highest during period 2 (wk 3, 4, 5; P = 0.01)) pre-milk delivery. Post-milk delivery, calves reared on a water bucket spent more time drinking milk (7.13 ± 0.40 vs 5.37 ± 0.39 min; P = 0.005)and grooming (P= 0.05), and less time drinking water (P < 0.001)and lying (6.17 ± 1.02 vs 9.19 ± 0.97 min, respectively; P= 0.04)than water nipple reared calves. Water nipple calves when paired exhbited longer drinking times (P = 0.04)..The most notable behavior was cross suckling post-milk delivery, as the weeks progressed water bucket reared calves increased time spent cross-suckling while water nipple calves maintained the amount of time spent cross-suckling. At wk 8 a subset of 24 calves (6 from each treatment) were trained over 14-d period to differentiate between an “X” and “O” cue to receive a milk reward (visual discrimination task). Learning (% correct choices) was compared using a Wilcoxon-signed rank test. Calves individually reared had greater overall correct choices than pair reared calves (0.63 ± 0.02 % correct/total choices vs 0.57 ± 0.02 % correct/total choices respectively: P = 0.05), while calves reared with a nutritional enrichment (water nipple) had greater overall correct choices compared to water bucket reared calves (0.64 ± 0.02 % vs 0.56 ± 0.02 %, P = 0.02). These results indicate that social and nutritional enrichments positively influence calf cognitive performance, water intake, and lying, cross-sucking, grooming behaviors.

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This 2-yr experiment evaluated productivity of wild-type, endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+) and novel endophyte-infected tall fescue (NE) summer stockpiled (SS) pastures and the performance of fall-calving beef cow/calf pairs stocked on each cultivar. Fescue cultivars used were KY-31 and MaxQ for E+ and NE treatments, respectively. Pregnant Simmental x Angus cows (128 total, 64 each yr) were stratified by BW, BCS, and expected calving date and then allotted to 1 of 10 pasture groups within each yr (20 groups total, 10 per treatment). Forage growth was stockpiled from April until the initiation of strip-grazing on August 31 of 2017 and 2018. Cows grazed treatment pastures for 52 d from 23 ± 14 d prepartum to 29 ± 14 d postpartum, and calved on treatment pastures. Forage quadrats were clipped from the grazed and ungrazed portions of each pasture to determine weekly forage mass. Total ergot alkaloid (TEA) concentrations were analyzed for all pastures at the beginning of the experiment and every subsequent 2 wk for E+ tall fescue. Cow BW was recorded on 2 consecutive d and BCS determined at the start and end of the experiment. In yr 2, ultrasound 12th rib fat thickness (FT) was measured at the beginning and end of the treatment period Milk production was estimated using the weigh-suckle-weigh technique at 29 ± 14 d postpartum. Initial TEA concentrations for NE (Yr. 1 = 112 µg/kg; Yr. 2 = 632 µg/kg) were decreased (P ≤ 0.01) compared to E+ (Yr. 1 = 1831 µg/kg; Yr. 2 = 2903 µg/kg). TEA concentrations for E+ pastures did not differ (P < 0.23) by sample date. However, average TEA concentrations were greater for yr 2 than yr 1(P ≤ 0.01). Fescue cultivars were not different (P ≥ 0.06) in forage CP, Ash, Ether Extract, and grazed or ungrazed forage mass. However, differences were observed (P ≤ 0.02) for ADF, NDF, and TDN by fescue cultivar. Cow BW, BCS, and FT at the beginning and end of grazing were not different (P ≥ 0.41) by treatment. Milk production was greater (P < 0.01) for cows grazed on E+. Calving date, calf BW, calf ADG were not different (P ≥ 0.65) by treatment. Neither AI nor overall conception rates differed (P ≥ 0.23) between cultivars. Performance of fall-calving cows pre-exposed to E+ was not hindered when grazed on E+ relative to NE in a SS system. / Master of Science / Wild-type, endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+) is the predominant forage of use for producers within the southeastern United States. Endophyte-infected tall fescue gained notoriety due to its drought and pest resistance as well as climate adaptability. These advantages are the result of a symbiotic relationship with an endophytic fungus that has been shown to decrease in animal performance through the production of toxic ergot alkaloids. Development of improved fescue cultivars provided producers with an alternative forage, known as novel endophyte-infected tall fescue (NE), that maintains the agronomic advantages noted with E+ fescue without negative impacts on animal gain and reproductive performance. In adopting NE tall fescue, producers are faced with the financial challenge of renovating existing stands of E+ with NE fescue; leaving pastures unusable during times of normal grazing behavior. This constraint has highlighted the need to explore forage utilization and strategies that can extend the grazing period that do not require the significant cost of total renovation with NE. Fall stockpiled tall fescue has provided producers an option to extend grazing from late November through February when pasture growth ceases and hay supplementation is normally needed. However, a 60 to 90 d period between summer and fall stockpiled grazing leaves producers looking for an additional strategy to provide standing forage for their herds. Summer stockpiling (SS), is a novel grazing strategy that bridges summer and fall stockpiled grazing through proper accumulation of 25 % of total pasture to help extend producers grazing season. The objective of the current experiment is to evaluate both E+ and NE SS pastures and its effect on animal performance, forage availability, and nutritive value. Cow BW and BCS were measured at the initiation, conclusion, and before artificial insemination. Calf BW and ADG were assessed 48 h post-calving and at weaning. Ungrazed and grazed forage mass was collected weekly, while measurements of ADF, NDF, CP, TDN, ether extract, and ash were measured every 2 weeks. After a 52 d treatment period, forage mass was similar across both cultivars, with ADF, NDF, and TDN favoring E+ tall fescue. Additionally, animal performance across both E+ and NE pastures were similar, however increased milk production was observed for cows grazed on E+. This experiment helps shed light on the concept of strategic renovation. Strategic renovation can be best utilized by producers who are interested in maximizing pasture utilization through rotationally grazing E+ and NE tall fescue pastures. By following this renovation strategy, proper allocation of NE tall fescue during times of enhanced ergotism and E+ tall fescue during low thresholds will develop a more specific rotation thus decreasing renovation costs for producers when ergotism is lowest.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Rodney D. Jones / After remaining stable for several decades, corn price has recently had unprecedented price increases and volatility. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicts an average corn price of $5.80 per bushel for 2008, which is 232% of its 28-year (1980-2007) average price of $2.50. The record increase in corn price was the result of increased starch-based ethanol production associated with increased energy costs, and other factors such as a declining value in the United States dollar, and increased global commodity demand. High corn prices have impacted the profitability of the livestock feeding industry. It was less clear how the record high corn prices would affect the cow-calf industry since corn is not a significant input for cow-calf enterprises. This study quantified the relationship between cow-calf profitability and corn price. Because feed costs for a cow-calf producer are among the highest variable costs for the operation, both grazing and non-grazing feed costs were estimated as a function of corn price. Models were estimated to determine if a relationship between corn price and Returns Over Variable Costs (ROVC) at the cow-calf level could be identified. Corn price from 1978-2007 explained none of the variability in grass grazing rental rate, however when the projected 2008 corn price was included in the analysis, corn price explained 10% of the variation in grass grazing rates. Year (linear time trend) and corn price from 1978-2008 explained 88% of historical grass grazing rental rate variability, 71% of alfalfa price variability, and 63% of other hay price variability in Kansas. These results suggest that the new corn market paradigm likely will increase the relationship between corn price and feed costs at the cow-calf level. Several models were evaluated using bulk diesel fuel price, feeder calf price, corn price, alfalfa price, other hay price, and grass grazing rental rate to estimate Kansas cow-calf producer ROVC. Models that included diesel fuel price, feeder calf price, grazing rent, and one of the harvested feeds (corn, alfalfa, or other hay) price explained 90-91% of the variability in ROVC. Models that included diesel fuel price, feeder calf price, and either grazing rent or corn price explained less of the variability in ROVC; using grazing rent explained 89% and using corn price explained 79%. Including grass grazing rental rate along with corn price, feeder calf price, and bulk diesel fuel price improved the model's ability to predict ROVC, explaining 91% of the variability. While cow-calf producers might use very little corn directly in their operations, this research shows that corn price is an important determinant of cow-calf production returns, and corn price can be used by producers to plan for future rising costs in order to maximize returns.

Thesis (MScAgric)--University Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters as well as to evaluate the influence of some genetic factors on preweaning growth traits in a multi breed beef cattle population. These preweaning growth traits were birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW) and average daily gain (ADG). Three aspects were addressed in this particular study; namely the Estimation of (co)variance components and genetic parameters, the effect of sire breeds and dam genotypes and the contribution of Charolais and Angus breeding levels on weaning traits in a multibreed beef cattle herd. Variance components and resulting genetic parameters of BW, WW and ADG in the population were estimated by Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) procedures. Four different unitrait and multitrait animal models were fitted ranging from a simple model with the animal direct effects as the only random effect to the model allowing for both genetic and permanent maternal environmental effects. The model that included directgenetic and permanent maternal environmental effects generally best described the data analysed. The simple model ignoring maternal effects most likely inflated direct heritability estimates. Direct heritability estimates were 0.11, 0.19, and 0.15 for BW, WW and ADG, respectively, fitting a multitrait model that comprised of both the genetic and maternal environmental effects. Under this comprehensive model, maternal heritabilties were low under both analyses, ranging from 0.02 to 0.10. Permanent maternal environmental effects were more important than maternal additive genetic effects for WW and ADG. Direct and maternal genetic correlations range from 0.42 to 0.44 for BW, -0.22 to -0.25 for WW and -0.17 to -0.23 for ADG, while the corresponding estimates ofunitrait analysis varied from 0.58 to 0.61 for BW, -0.43 to-0.53 for WW and -0.49 to -0.79 for ADG. The effect of Charolais and Hereford sires and dam breed genotypes on BW and WW in calves of Hereford, F I, two and three breed rotational as well as terminal crosses among the Charolais, Hereford, Angus and Bonsmara breeds were investigated. BW and WW of the Charolais sired calves were significantly (P<O.OOl) heavier than the Hereford sired calves. Angus dams produced calves of smaller (P<0.05) BW than those of purebred and crossbred dams. The majority of the crossbred dams were not significantly different in BW of calves. With regard to WW, with the exception of 3/4H1I4A, all crossbred dams were superior (P<0.05) to Angus and Hereford dams. Calves of crossbred dams were on the average 8% heavier at weaning than calves of purebred dams. Crossbred dams, with intermediate Charolais contribution tend to wean heavier calves. Data collected were also analysed to determine the optimum breeding levels of Charolais and Angus, fitting a unitrait animal model. Further, the estimated heritabilities were subsequently used to predict direct and maternal breeding values (Best linear unbiased predictions) for individual animals. Best linear unbiased estimates (BLUEs) were also calculated for the traits. BLUEs, direct and maternal breeding values per genetic group estimated were regressed on proportions of Charolais and Angus breeding, respectively. BLUEs of BW, WW and ADG increased with increasing the proportion of Charolais while they decreased with increasing Angus breeding levels. In general, maternal breeding values increased with increasing the proportions of both breeds. Direct breeding values of Charolais increased and reached maximum values at 35, 38, and 45% proportion of Charolais for BW, WW and ADG, respectively. No optimal Angus proportion was found within these specific environmental conditions. In this herd it may be suggested that increasing the proportion of Charolais to intermediate levels would tend to improve the performances of preweaning traits. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om genetiese parameters in 'n meerras vleisbeeskudde te beraam, sowel as om die invloed van sekere genetiese faktore te evalueer. Die voorspeense groei-eienskappe het geboortegewig (BW), speengewig (WW) en gemiddelde daaglikse toename (ADG) ingesluit. Drie aspekte is in dié betrokke studie ondersoek, naamlik; die beraming van (ko )variansiekomponente en genetiese parameters, die invloed van ras van vader en moedergenotipe en die invloed van Charolais en Angus bydrae op speeneienskappe in 'n meerras vleisbeeskudde. Variansiekomponente en afgeleide genetiese parameters vir BW, WW en ADG in die kudde is met behulp van die Beperkte Maksimum Waarskynlikheidsprosedure (REML) beraam. Vier verskillende enkel- en meereienskapmodelle is gepas, wat vanaf 'n eenvoudige model wat slegs die direkte effek as enigste toevallige effek, tot dié model waarin beide die genetiese en permanente mateme omgewingseffekte ingesluit is. Die model wat beide die direkte en permanente mateme effekte ingesluit het, het die data die beste gepas. Die eenvoudige model, wat die mateme effekte nie insluit nie, het in alle waarskynlikheid die direkte oorerflikhede oorberaam. Die direkte oorerflikheidsberamingsas onderskeidlik 0.11, 0.19 en 0.15 vir BW, WW en ADG met dié meereienskapmodel wat beide genetiese en mateme effekte ingesluit het. Met die omvattende model was die mateme oorerflikhede laag en het van 0.02 tot 0.10 gewissel. Die permanente mateme omgewingseffekte was belangriker as die direkte mateme effekte vir WW en ADG. Die genetiese korrelasies tussen direkte en mateme effekte het vir BW tussen 0.42 en 0.44, vir WW tussen -0.22 en -0.25 en vir ADG tussen -0.49 en -0.79 gewissel. Die invloed van Charolais en Hereford bulle en moederrasgenotipes op BW en WW van Hereford, F 1, twee- en drieras rotasie sowel as terminale kruisings tussen die Charolais, Hereford, Angus en Bonsmara is ondersoek. BW en WW van kalwers van Charolais bulle was betekenisvol (P<O.OOl) swaarder as kalwers van Hereford bulle. Angus koeie het kalwers met laer (P<0.05) BW as die van ander suiwer en kruisraskoeie geproduseer. Kalwers van die meerderheid kruisraskoeie het egter nie in BW verskil nie. Wat WW betref, maar met die uitsondering van %HYtA, was alle kruisraskoeie beter (P<0.05) as beide Angus en Hereford koeie. Kalwers van kruisraskoeie was gemiddeld 8 % swaarder met speen as kalwers van suiwerraskoeie. Kruisraskoeie met intermediêre vlakke van Charolaisbydrae het geneig om die swaarste kalwers te speen. Die data is verder ook geanaliseer om die optimum vlakke van Charolais en Angus, deur die passing van 'n enkeleienskap dieremodel, te bepaal. Die beraamde oorerflikhede is vervolgens gebruik om direkte en mateme teelwaardes (Beste liniêre onsydige voospellers ) vir individuele diere te voorspel. Beste liniêre onsydige beramings (BLUE's) is ook vir elke eienskap bereken. Die regressies van BLUE's, direkte en mateme teelwaardes per genetiese groep bereken, is vervolgens op proporsie Charolais en Angus bydraes onderskeidelik gepas. BLUE's vir BW, WW en ADG het met toename In Charolaisproporsie toegeneem, terwyl dit met toename in Angusbydrae afgeneem het. In die algemeen het mateme teelwaardes met toename in die bydrae van beide rasse toegeneem. Direkte teelwaardes van die Charolais het toegeneem en maksimum waardes by 35, 38 en 45 % proporsie Charolais vir onderskeidelik BW, WW en ADG bereik. Vir die Angus is geen optimum proporsie in dié spesifieke omgewing gevind nie. In dié kudde word intermediêre Charolais vlakke vir die verbetering van voorspeense eienskappe aanbeveel.

Tikslas: Išanalizuoti kvėpavimo sulaikymo įtaka blauzdos raumenų arterinei kraujotakai. Uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti sportuojančių ir nesportuojančių merginų blauzdos raumenų arterinės kraujotakos kaitą sulaikius kvėpavimą iki negalėjimo. 2. Nustatyti arterinio kraujo spaudimo dažnių rodiklių kaita sulaikius kvėpavimą. Tyrimo metodai: Arterinio kraujo spaudimo (AKS) matavimai Korotkovo metodu ir arterinės kraujotakos registracija – veninės okliuzinės pletizmografijos metodu. Tyrimo organizavimas: Tyrime dalyvavo dešimt sportuojančių (adaptuotų greitumo – jėgos fiziniams krūviams) ir aštuoniolika nesportuojančių merginų. Arterinė kraujotaka blauzdos raumenyse ir AKS buvo registruojami po 20 min adaptacijos ramybės būsenoje, bei sulaikius kvėpavimą ir atsigavimo metu. Buvo atliekami du kvėpavimo sulaikymai iki negalėjimo. Rezultatai. Pirmojo kvėpavimo sulaikymo metu sportuojančių merginų kraujotaka mažėjo ir pabaigoje ji sumažėjo iki 1,5±0,3ml/100 ml/min. Atsigavimo metu kraujotakos intensyvumas pirmąją minutę didėjo ir prieš antrąjį sulaikymą beveik pasiekė pradinį lygį. Arterinės kraujotakos intensyvumas antrojo kvėpavimo sulaikymo metu didėjo, tačiau praėjus 45sek pradėjo nežymiai mažėti. Atsigavimo metu kraujotakos intensyvumas sumažėjo analogiškai, kaip ir po pirmo sulaikymo. Atsigavimo pabaigoje pradėjo didėti link pradinio lygio. Nesportuojančių merginų pirmojo kvėpavimo sulaikymo metu kraujotaka mažėjo ir pabaigoje ji sumažėjo iki 1,6±0,38ml/100 ml/min (p<0.05)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Research aim - is to assess influence of arterial blood flow changes in the calf muscles during breathing stop. Research tasks – 1. Establish changes in the calf muscle blood flow before, during and after breathing stop for athletic and non-athletic girls. 2. Establish changes in arterial blood pressure before, during and after breathing stop for athletic and non-athletic girls. Research methods – arterial blood flow changes using venous occlusive plethysmography method, arterial blood pressure using Korotkoff sounds method. Research organization – The study involved 10 athletic (adapted to speed - strength exercise) and 18 non-athletic girls. The examinations were conducted at a room temperature of 18–20O C with the patient in a sitting position. Each girl was introduced with instruction of the research and explained to them, how everything will work. Arterial blood flow in the calf muscle and arterial blood pressure was recorded after 20 min of adaptation at rest, during breathing stop and at recovery time. Research was made of two breathing stop. Recovery from breathing stop was recorded 5min. The blood flow in the calf was determined by venous occlusion plethysmography. Research results – Athletic girls arterial blood flow during first breathing going down and in the end of first breathing stop was stop 1,5±0,3ml/100 ml/min. For non-athletic girls it was similar 1,6±0,38ml/100 ml/min. But during second breathing stop for athletic girls arterial blood flow was 2,4±0,7... [to full text]

A clonagem animal por transferência nuclear de células somáticas (SCNT) é uma técnica de reprodução assistida que consiste em transferir o núcleo de uma célula de interesse a um oócito previamente enucleado. Sua utilização ainda apresenta eficiência baixa, com perdas embrionárias principalmente no início da gestação, ou em outras fases da gestação e no período perinatal devido à interação materno-fetal anormal com malformações diversas na placenta. Após o nascimento, a mortalidade está entre 12,5 e 42% devido às anormalidades neonatais já descritas como a síndrome do large offspring, com fetos exageradamente grandes, desenvolvimento anormal da placenta e crescimento não sincronizado de órgãos. Também são relatadas malformações musculoesqueléticas, aumento do diâmetro do cordão umbilical, dificuldades respiratórias e anormalidades metabólicas. Acredita-se que o mecanismo desta síndrome esteja relacionado com a reprogramação nuclear. Alinhando a gravidade das alterações e o custo elevado da técnica, torna-se necessário entender os mecanismos dessas alterações e desenvolver estratégias para prevenção e terapias para minimizar perdas. A avaliação dos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos pode auxiliar no diagnóstico e acompanhamento terapêutico do neonato. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os parâmetros clínicos, hematológicos, bioquímicos e de hemogasometria de bezerros clonados por SCNT, comparando os resultados com aqueles de bezerros gerados a partir de inseminação artificial. Dos bezerros clonados deste estudo, quatro vieram a óbito no período pós-natal. Alterações comuns nestes bezerros e que não ocorreram com os demais foram: pesos extremos ao nascimento, muito altos ou muito baixos; avaliação baixa no APGAR, principalmente após 5 minutos do nascimento; presença de líquido amniótico com viscosidade elevada; pH sanguíneo baixo imediatamente após o nascimento e elevação da creatinina sérica. As alterações nestes parâmetros em bezerros neonatos clonados podem indicar um risco de complicação no quadro geral dos clones, forçando medidas intensivas no tratamento para preservar a vida dos mesmos. Outras alterações frequentes nos clones, mas que não estavam necessariamente relacionadas a um quadro de risco foram: aumento do diâmetro dos vasos umbilicais; pH elevado ao nascimento e que evoluiu para acidose respiratória, acidose metabólica ou acidose mista respiratória e metabólica; elevação do volume celular médio; leucocitose por neutrofilia que foi observado em todos os clones devido à administração de corticoides ao nascimento; elevação gradual da contagem de plaquetas; diminuição da concentração de creatinina sérica e da atividade de AST. A gamaglutamiltransferase apresentou uma elevação mais discreta nos clones, podendo indicar uma falha na transferência de imunidade passiva. A concentração de lactado apresentou-se elevada em todos os clones em algum momento do período perinatal, indicando o quadro de acidose metabólica / Animal cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is an assisted reproductive technique in which the nucleus of a donor cell is transferred to a previously enucleated oocyte. Despite its potential benefits to research and agriculture, only 1% of the reconstructed oocytes develop into live healthy neonates. Embryo losses may occur early in pregnancy or in other stages of gestation, and during the perinatal period. These losses have been associated to abnormalities in maternal-fetal interaction, probably due to a deficient placental vascularization. Mortality rates after birth range between 12,5 to 42%, and the main abnormalities are related to the large offspring syndrome, with overly large cattle, abnormal placental development, and desynchronized organ development. Other problems reported include muscleskeletal disorders, enlarged umbilical cord, respiratory distress and metabolic disorders. The mechanism of this syndrome is probably related to nuclear reprogramming. Considering the severity of these abnormalities and the high costs of the technique, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms that lead to the pathology and develop strategies for preventing and treating the affected animals, minimizing financial losses. The evaluation of hematological and biochemical parameters is a very important tool for diagnosis and therapeutics. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical, hematological and biochemical profiles, including blood gas analysis in calves originated by SCNT embryos, as well as comparing the same results from artificial insemination (AI) bred calves (control group). Amongst the cloned calves in this study, four died in the post-natal period. The most common abnormalities seen in these calves and that did not affect the others were: extreme birth weights (low or high), low APGAR score, especially when evaluated 5 minutes after birth, viscous amniotic fluid, low blood pH measured immediately after birth and high serum levels of creatinine. These abnormalities may present a risk of general health impairment in cloned calves, imposing better intensive care treatment in order to minimize death losses. Other frequent abnormalities in clones, but not necessarily related to risk of neonatal death immediately after birth are: enlarged umbilical vessels, high blood pH at birth that progresses to respiratory acidosis, metabolic acidosis or mixed respiratory metabolic acidosis, high mean cell volume, leukocytosis with neutrophilia due to glucocorticoids therapy after birth was observed in all of our clones, gradual increase in platelet count, low creatinine levels and low aspartate aminotransferase levels. There was a slight increase in gamma glutamyltransferase in clones compared to controls, which represent a poor passive immunity transfer. Lactate levels were high in all of the cloned animals at some point of the perinatal period, showing that they suffer from some degree of metabolic acidosis