Preweaning Nutrition and Its Effects on the Growth, Immune Competence and Metabolic Characteristics of the Dairy Calf
Feeding increased volumes of milk in the preweaning phase has been shown to improve growth, morbidity and mortality rates in calves (<i>Bos Taurus</i>). This experiment enlisted 20 Holstein-Friesian dairy replacement calves from birth until weaning (at 10 weeks of age) and assessed the e...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/5/829 |
| _version_ | 1797615876472569856 |
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| author | Emma M. Ockenden Victoria M. Russo Brian J. Leury Khageswor Giri William J. Wales |
| author_facet | Emma M. Ockenden Victoria M. Russo Brian J. Leury Khageswor Giri William J. Wales |
| author_sort | Emma M. Ockenden |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Feeding increased volumes of milk in the preweaning phase has been shown to improve growth, morbidity and mortality rates in calves (<i>Bos Taurus</i>). This experiment enlisted 20 Holstein-Friesian dairy replacement calves from birth until weaning (at 10 weeks of age) and assessed the effect of feeding either 4 L (Low) or 8 L (High) of milk per calf per day on their growth, immune competence and metabolic characteristics. The responsiveness of these systems was compared through a vaccination immune challenge. Calves in the High treatment group were significantly heavier from two weeks of age and were 19 kg heavier than calves in the Low treatment group at weaning. Calves in the High treatment group also exhibited greater immune responses, with significantly higher white cell counts and neutrophil counts than calves in the Low treatment group post-vaccination. Calves in the High treatment group also had lower beta-hydroxybutyrate both pre- and post-vaccination, and higher glucose and insulin levels post-vaccination, indicating superior metabolic characteristics. Calves had ad libitum access to lucerne hay (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) and a commercial concentrate. Solid feed intakes were mostly the same between treatments, with differences in hay intake only detected at 7 and 8 weeks of age. Results from this experiment are indicative of a positive influence of accelerated preweaning nutrition on growth, immune response and metabolic characteristics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:33:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b094e32e0bfb49cf96731781ec988497 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:33:12Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-b094e32e0bfb49cf96731781ec9884972023-11-17T07:12:56ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-02-0113582910.3390/ani13050829Preweaning Nutrition and Its Effects on the Growth, Immune Competence and Metabolic Characteristics of the Dairy CalfEmma M. Ockenden0Victoria M. Russo1Brian J. Leury2Khageswor Giri3William J. Wales4Agriculture Victoria, Ellinbank, VIC 3821, AustraliaAgriculture Victoria, Ellinbank, VIC 3821, AustraliaFaculty of Agriculture, Ecosystem, Food and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, AustraliaAgriculture Victoria, Bundoora, VIC 3083, AustraliaAgriculture Victoria, Ellinbank, VIC 3821, AustraliaFeeding increased volumes of milk in the preweaning phase has been shown to improve growth, morbidity and mortality rates in calves (<i>Bos Taurus</i>). This experiment enlisted 20 Holstein-Friesian dairy replacement calves from birth until weaning (at 10 weeks of age) and assessed the effect of feeding either 4 L (Low) or 8 L (High) of milk per calf per day on their growth, immune competence and metabolic characteristics. The responsiveness of these systems was compared through a vaccination immune challenge. Calves in the High treatment group were significantly heavier from two weeks of age and were 19 kg heavier than calves in the Low treatment group at weaning. Calves in the High treatment group also exhibited greater immune responses, with significantly higher white cell counts and neutrophil counts than calves in the Low treatment group post-vaccination. Calves in the High treatment group also had lower beta-hydroxybutyrate both pre- and post-vaccination, and higher glucose and insulin levels post-vaccination, indicating superior metabolic characteristics. Calves had ad libitum access to lucerne hay (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) and a commercial concentrate. Solid feed intakes were mostly the same between treatments, with differences in hay intake only detected at 7 and 8 weeks of age. Results from this experiment are indicative of a positive influence of accelerated preweaning nutrition on growth, immune response and metabolic characteristics.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/5/829immune challengeaccelerated milk feedingheifer calf development |
| spellingShingle | Emma M. Ockenden Victoria M. Russo Brian J. Leury Khageswor Giri William J. Wales Preweaning Nutrition and Its Effects on the Growth, Immune Competence and Metabolic Characteristics of the Dairy Calf Animals immune challenge accelerated milk feeding heifer calf development |
| title | Preweaning Nutrition and Its Effects on the Growth, Immune Competence and Metabolic Characteristics of the Dairy Calf |
| title_full | Preweaning Nutrition and Its Effects on the Growth, Immune Competence and Metabolic Characteristics of the Dairy Calf |
| title_fullStr | Preweaning Nutrition and Its Effects on the Growth, Immune Competence and Metabolic Characteristics of the Dairy Calf |
| title_full_unstemmed | Preweaning Nutrition and Its Effects on the Growth, Immune Competence and Metabolic Characteristics of the Dairy Calf |
| title_short | Preweaning Nutrition and Its Effects on the Growth, Immune Competence and Metabolic Characteristics of the Dairy Calf |
| title_sort | preweaning nutrition and its effects on the growth immune competence and metabolic characteristics of the dairy calf |
| topic | immune challenge accelerated milk feeding heifer calf development |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/5/829 |
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