Effects of feeding frequency on carcass characteristics and plasma Leptin and insulin concentrations in fattening calves

Increased feeding frequency improve bioenergetics efficiency in lactating cows; however, there is little information about its effect on fattening animals.Twelve Holstein bull calves were allotted to two groups to determine the effect of feeding frequency on body weight, carcass quality and hormonal profiles. Control group was fed twice a day and treated group was fed six times a day by a standard diet for eight months. Body weight was recorded at 3 weeks interval. Blood samples were collected one hour after feeding at four hours intervals during 24 hours at the end of experiment. Calves were slaughtered and carcass characteristics were measured. Plasma leptin concentrations were higher (p<0.01) in treated group than those in control group. Plasma insulin concentrations were lower (p<0.01) in treated group than those in control group. Internal fat content and depth of subcutaneous fat were (p<0.05) higher in control group than those in treated group. It can be concluded that feeding frequency for growing Holstein calves resulted in decreased fat reservoirs and this effect may be mediated by plasma leptin and insulin changes.