The present study aimed to investigate the effect of safflower and sunflower seeds supplementation on growth performance of suckling Friesian calves, through blood biochemical parameters and immune response from birth to weaning. Twenty newly born Friesian calves were randomly divided into five groups (4 each). The first group (G1) was used as control of which the calves were suckled pure milk from cows fed ration not added with safflower or sunflower seeds. The second and third groups (G2 and G3) included calves suckled pure milk from cows fed rations contained 3% of whole safflower or sunflower seeds replaced from concentrate for 105 days of age and fed starter not included safflower or
sunflower seeds, respectively. The fourth and fifth groups (G4 and G5) included calvessuckled pure milk from cows fed the control ration, but 3 % of its starter replaced by wholesafflower and sunflower seeds, respectively. The results showed that, serum total protein (TP), albumin (Alb) and globulin (Glob) levels increased significantly (P<0.05) and reached earlier
to the normal range in calves suckled milk from cows fed safflower seeds (G2) than other groups. At 45th day after birth till the end of experiment the glucose level increased significantly (P<0.05) for calves of G2 compared to G1. There were no significant differences among the experimental groups of mean values of AST and ALT concentrations. Serum concentration of triglycerides and LDL were similar among experimental groups. Overall mean of total cholesterol concentrations were the highest after calves supplemented with sunflower seeds for 105 days of age (G3) compared to other groups. HDL-cholesterol increased significantly (P < 0.05) in blood serum of calves that suckled milk from cows fed safflower or sunflower seeds (G2 and G3) compared to un-supplemented one (G1). Supplementation of safflower and sunflower seeds did not alter the cellular immunity, either in lymphocytes or neutrophils. The elevation of growth rate of G2 and G3 was affected by safflower and sunflower seeds compared to control (G1). It could be concluded that, the use of safflower and sunflower seeds supplementation in ration's cows was effective in blood components, immune response and growth performance of their suckled Friesian calves.