title: Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation of milk replacer on preweaning performance of calves.
abstract: Forty Holstein-Friesian calves were used to evaluate the effect on young calves of daily dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus. Calves were randomly assigned at 2 d of age to one of two treatments; 1) milk replacer with no additives or 2) milk replacer supplemented with 1 ml (5 x 10(7)) of viable L. acidophilus bacteria at each of two feedings per day. Milk replacer was reconstituted to 12% DM and fed at 10% of BW/d for the duration of the 6-wk trial. A commercial starter pellet was offered for ad libitum intake from 7 d of age. Treatment had no effect on actual BW at any stage or on total BW gain; however, average daily gain during wk 2 was affected by L. acidophilus supplementation. Calves receiving L. acidophilus maintained initial BW, and the control calves lost BW until 2 wk of age, at an average rate of 112 g/d. Starter intake, total DMI, feed efficiency, and occurrence of diarrhea were unaffected by treatment. Therefore, L. acidophilus supplementation for calves fed milk replacer may be beneficial during the first 2 wk of life.
authors.affiliation: Animal Nutrition and Animal Products Institute, Irene, South Africa.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Cruywagen
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jordaan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Venter
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D002418:Cattle Diseases; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000662:veterinary; D004435:Eating; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D014886:Weaning; D015430:Weight Gain