Lactoferrin Supplementation to Holstein Calves During the Preweaning and Postweaning Phases

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Date

2007-03-08

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Abstract

Sixty Holstein calves (30 bulls, 30 heifers) were used to examine the effects of supplemental lactoferrin on feed intake, growth, and health during the preweaning and postweaning periods. One of three levels of lactoferrin was added to whole milk in order to produce three dietary treatments: 1.) 0 g⁄d, 2.) 0.5 g⁄d, 3.) 1 g⁄d. Milk (3.8 L⁄d) was fed from bottles until weaning at 35 days. From days 36 to 56, lactoferrin supplements were added to water (15-25 mL) and fed from bottles. Lactoferrin supplementation did not have any significant effect on feed intake, body weight, average daily gain, heart girth, body temperature, fecal scores, respiratory scores, or haptoglobin concentrations. Calves were housed in individual pens in either an open-sided barn or hutches. Calves raised in the barn consumed more calf starter and therefore grew better than calves raised in hutches. In this study, lactoferrin supplementation was not beneficial. Further research is needed to fully elucidate lactoferrin's effects in whole milk as well as its role when fed postweaning.

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Keywords

calves, lactoferrin, weaning

Citation

Degree

MS

Discipline

Nutrition

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