We investigated the effects of diets differing in energy and protein concentrations given during pre- and post-weaning on hormone and metabolite levels in association to parameters of growth. Sixteen Aberdeen Angus calves four-day-old were allocated in individual pens during 105 days in a randomized complete design. Animals consumed ad libitum various diets differing in proportion of energy and protein (A: 80% of concentrate, 20% alfalfa hay; B: 60% concentrate, 40% of alfalfa hay; C: 40% concentrate, 60% alfalfa hay, and D: 20% concentrate, 80% alfalfa hay). Also, calves consumed milk substitute up to 60-day-old day. Serum growth hormone and cortisol levels were not altered with diet changes (P > 0.05) neither during the pre- nor the post-weaning periods. Plasma insulin concentration average daily intake, glucose and thyroid hormone levels, and concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and propionic acid were greater (P < 0.01) for diets having higher than lower energy and protein levels during the post-weaning but not during the pre-weaning period. These results suggest inclusion of higher amounts of concentrate in the diet of weaned calves.Fil: Fernández, H. T.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Busso, Carlos Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida; ArgentinaFil: Laborde, Hugo Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida; ArgentinaFil: Torrea, M. B.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, L. M.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: López, G. H.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Delucchi, F.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: García, B. N.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentin
