Phenotypical Variation of Ruminal Volatile Fatty Acids and pH during the Peri-Weaning Period in Holstein Calves and Factors Affecting Them
Two hundred and forty-three clinically healthy Holstein calves from eight commercial dairy farms were used to: (a) describe the evolutionary course of ruminal VFA concentration and pH during the peri-weaning period and (b) assess management factors affecting their phenotypical variation of these par...
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/7/894 |
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| author | Panagiota Kazana Nektarios Siachos Nikolaos Panousis Anatoli Petridou Vasilis Mougios Georgios E. Valergakis |
| author_facet | Panagiota Kazana Nektarios Siachos Nikolaos Panousis Anatoli Petridou Vasilis Mougios Georgios E. Valergakis |
| author_sort | Panagiota Kazana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Two hundred and forty-three clinically healthy Holstein calves from eight commercial dairy farms were used to: (a) describe the evolutionary course of ruminal VFA concentration and pH during the peri-weaning period and (b) assess management factors affecting their phenotypical variation of these parameters. Management practices were recorded individually for each calf as these were not fixed within farms. Samples of ruminal fluid were collected at −7 d, 0 d, and 7 d relative to weaning. Gas chromatography was used to measure ruminal VFAs, and pH was measured on site. Linear mixed models for repeated measurements were used to assess the effects of management factors and their interactions. A large among-calves phenotypical variability was observed. Estimated marginal means showed that concentrations of acetate, butyrate, and total VFAs (but not of propionate) significantly decreased, while acetate propionate increased, from −7 d to 7 d. Age at weaning and body weight at −7 d were positively associated with total and several individual VFA concentrations. Group housing and late forage feeding pre-weaning were associated with higher VFA concentrations; the same factors, as well as step-weaning, were associated with pH values around 6. Feeding 7–8 L of milk replacer daily did not preclude a smooth transition, irrespective of weaning method. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:11:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-98e103d3545647f68910ca361a86f979 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:11:57Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-98e103d3545647f68910ca361a86f9792023-11-30T22:51:51ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-03-0112789410.3390/ani12070894Phenotypical Variation of Ruminal Volatile Fatty Acids and pH during the Peri-Weaning Period in Holstein Calves and Factors Affecting ThemPanagiota Kazana0Nektarios Siachos1Nikolaos Panousis2Anatoli Petridou3Vasilis Mougios4Georgios E. Valergakis5Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box. 393, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box. 393, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceClinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box. 393, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Evaluation of Human Biological Performance, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Evaluation of Human Biological Performance, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box. 393, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceTwo hundred and forty-three clinically healthy Holstein calves from eight commercial dairy farms were used to: (a) describe the evolutionary course of ruminal VFA concentration and pH during the peri-weaning period and (b) assess management factors affecting their phenotypical variation of these parameters. Management practices were recorded individually for each calf as these were not fixed within farms. Samples of ruminal fluid were collected at −7 d, 0 d, and 7 d relative to weaning. Gas chromatography was used to measure ruminal VFAs, and pH was measured on site. Linear mixed models for repeated measurements were used to assess the effects of management factors and their interactions. A large among-calves phenotypical variability was observed. Estimated marginal means showed that concentrations of acetate, butyrate, and total VFAs (but not of propionate) significantly decreased, while acetate propionate increased, from −7 d to 7 d. Age at weaning and body weight at −7 d were positively associated with total and several individual VFA concentrations. Group housing and late forage feeding pre-weaning were associated with higher VFA concentrations; the same factors, as well as step-weaning, were associated with pH values around 6. Feeding 7–8 L of milk replacer daily did not preclude a smooth transition, irrespective of weaning method.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/7/894rumen volatile fatty acidsdairy calfweaningmanagement factors |
| spellingShingle | Panagiota Kazana Nektarios Siachos Nikolaos Panousis Anatoli Petridou Vasilis Mougios Georgios E. Valergakis Phenotypical Variation of Ruminal Volatile Fatty Acids and pH during the Peri-Weaning Period in Holstein Calves and Factors Affecting Them Animals rumen volatile fatty acids dairy calf weaning management factors |
| title | Phenotypical Variation of Ruminal Volatile Fatty Acids and pH during the Peri-Weaning Period in Holstein Calves and Factors Affecting Them |
| title_full | Phenotypical Variation of Ruminal Volatile Fatty Acids and pH during the Peri-Weaning Period in Holstein Calves and Factors Affecting Them |
| title_fullStr | Phenotypical Variation of Ruminal Volatile Fatty Acids and pH during the Peri-Weaning Period in Holstein Calves and Factors Affecting Them |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phenotypical Variation of Ruminal Volatile Fatty Acids and pH during the Peri-Weaning Period in Holstein Calves and Factors Affecting Them |
| title_short | Phenotypical Variation of Ruminal Volatile Fatty Acids and pH during the Peri-Weaning Period in Holstein Calves and Factors Affecting Them |
| title_sort | phenotypical variation of ruminal volatile fatty acids and ph during the peri weaning period in holstein calves and factors affecting them |
| topic | rumen volatile fatty acids dairy calf weaning management factors |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/7/894 |
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