Lactoferrin Supplementation to Holstein Calves During the Preweaning and Postweaning Phases
No Thumbnail Available
Files
Date
2007-03-08
Authors
Journal Title
Series/Report No.
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
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.
Description
Keywords
calves, lactoferrin, weaning
Citation
Degree
MS
Discipline
Nutrition