Effects of colostrum replacer supplemented with lactoferrin on the blood plasma immunoglobulin G concentration and intestinal absorption of xylose in the neonatal calf.
The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of lactoferrin (Lf) supplementation of colostrum replacer (CR) fed as 1 or 2 doses on apparent efficiency of IgG absorption, serum IgG concentrations, and xylose absorption/intestinal development in neonatal Holstein bull calves. Eighty bull calves were assigned to a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design. Calves used were from the University of New Hampshire (n = 48) or a commercial dairy (n = 32). All calves were fed CR according to manufacturer's recommendations +/- Lf treatment within 90 min of birth. Lactoferrin treatments were 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 2 g/d of supplemental Lf. At 12 h of age, calves were fed a second feeding of CR +/- supplemental Lf or 2 L of milk replacer +/- supplemental Lf. Calves continued to be fed milk replacer +/- supplemental Lf every 12 h for the duration of study. Blood samples were collected for determination of IgG and total serum protein at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h. Calves, except those fed 1 dose of CR plus 1 or 2 g of Lf, had serum IgG concentrations > or = 10 g/L at 24 h. Lactoferrin supplementation had no effect on serum IgG or total serum protein concentrations. Calves fed 2 doses of CR had greater serum IgG concentrations compared with calves fed 1 dose of CR. Apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG was less in calves fed 2 doses of CR compared with calves fed 1 dose of CR. Lactoferrin supplementation (up to 1 g/d) resulted in decreased apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG. At the sixth feeding (60 +/- 2 h of age), D-xylose (0.5 g/kg BW) was mixed with milk replacer +/- supplemental Lf (n = 48) to determine xylose absorption by the small intestine. Blood was collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 h after feeding xylose for determination of plasma glucose and xylose concentrations. Xylose means and area under the curve resulted in quadratic effects. Feeding calves 0.5 or 1 g/d supplemental Lf resulted in decreased plasma xylose concentrations compared with calves fed 0 or 2 g/d of supplemental Lf. Colostrum replacer or supplemental Lf did not affect plasma glucose concentrations. This study indicates that supplementing Lf at 0.5 or 1 g/d to calves fed CR has a negative effect on apparent efficiency of IgG absorption and xylose absorption.
Shea
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Department of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham 03824, USA.
Whitehouse
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Erickson
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D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003126:Colostrum; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D041941:Milk Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014994:Xylose / Q000378:metabolism*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014994:Xylose; D007781:Lactoferrin