Effects of Supplemental Colostrum Intake to Jersey Calves after 24 hr of Birth on Health and Growth

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2024-05

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The Ohio State University

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Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine the effect feeding colostrum supplements (CS) beyond the 24-hour gut closure period would have on Jersey calves, specifically its impact on serum protein concentrations and growth rate. Twenty calves were assigned to either the control or treatment group. Calves assigned to the control group (n=14) received regular milk replacer, while calves in the treatment group (n=6) received colostrum supplement added to their regular milk replacer twice daily for the next 14 days of life, each feeding containing 10 g of immunoglobulin G (IgG). Dams whose colostrum IgG level met or exceeded the minimum requirement (60 g/100mL IgG) were included in the study. Calf body weight (BW) and wither height (WH) were measured weekly, and fecal, and respiratory scores were recorded tri-weekly up until the time of weaning (56 days of age). Blood samples were drawn on days 1, 7 and 14 to assess serum protein concentrations. The treatment group calves exhibited on average higher WH than the control group (P=0.03), while BW, starter intake, and fecal scores showed no significant differences. Both treatment and control groups-maintained serum protein levels above the 5.5 g/100 mL threshold. Administering CS did not significantly alter serum protein concentrations on days 7 and 14, and a decline in these concentrations was noted as the calves aged. Without CS, a more pronounced disparity in serum protein levels might have emerged by day 14, suggesting a potential benefit of CS, especially under challenging environmental conditions. Further studies with additional animal numbers are required to confirm these findings.

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Colostrum Supplement, Colostrum, Gut Closure, Jersey Calves, Effect on Health and Growth

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