Add to ORKGBlood nutritional indicators were measured in half-bred zebu cows that suckled their calves throughout lactation (control; n=30) or until 60 to 75 days when their calves were weaned (EW: n=30). Measurements of live weight, evaluation of body condition score (BCS), and blood collection began on day 0 (=date calves from EW cows were weaned) and then on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 60 and 90. At the end of 90 days, BCS and live weight were significantly higher in EW than in the control cows (5.4±1.0 and 407±42.5 kg versus 4.0±0.9 and 388±39.1 kg). EW had higher blood concentration (p < 0.05) of albumin (3.43±0.22 versus 2.92±0.11 g/dl), urea (0.37±0.09 versus 0.19±0.06 g/l), hemoglobin (13.5±0.44 versus 11.4±0.37 g/dl), iron (98.8±21.5 versus 74.7±11.8...