Holstein calves weighing less than 20 kg at birth have been noted in Korea. Due to insufficient information, we raised small calves with age-matched normal birth weight Holstein calves and determined body weights before puberty. In addition, 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the growth hormone (GH) gene were analyzed. Up to 10 months of age, low birth weight calves were smaller than normal weight calves. In exon 5 of the GH gene, SNP genotype variation was detected in some small calves; however, this did not appear to be the only factor inducing low birth weight and slow growth.
Adolescent ; Birth Weight ; Body Weight ; Exons ; Genotype ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Parturition ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Puberty