The present work was carried out to evaluate the growth of stomach compartments of early weaned Holstein calves. The animals were fed concentrates and hay from the second and third week of age respectively. Eighteen animals were allotted to a completely randomized design, with three treatments (slaughter age). Six calves were slaughtered at birth, at 50 days at 110 days of age; the stomachs were withdrawn and the weight and volume of each compartment measured. Data were submitted to correlation and regression analysis through the SAS statistical program, (1996). An increase of the capacity of all the stomachs compartments was verified with the progress of the age of the calves, but with growth rates differentiated among the compartments. The increase of the reticulo-rumen growth and the decrease of the abomasum growth with increase of age were observed. Up to 50 days of age the proportion of the reticulo-rumen and abomasum stomach compartments was changed, but the omasum maintained a constant rhythm of development.
abomasum; early weaned; omasum; rumen; stomach
