title: Effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid administration on health and growth rate of group-housed Japanese black calves fed using an automatic controlled milk feeder.
abstract: The efficacy of a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) preparation in improving general health condition and growth rate was evaluated in suckling Japanese Black beef calves housed together and fed using an automatic milk feeder. The GABA preparation was administered from 4 to 10 d postpartum until weaning. A significant difference in mean body weight was observed at 3 and 8 weeks after introduction of the GABA preparation. The calves in the GABA group tended to require less medication than those in the control group (3.0 d/calf for BABA; 7.6 d/calf for the control; P=0.06). The health statuses of the 2 groups may be reflected in their blood parameters. GABA may possibly have etiotropic effects in group-housed calves fed using an automatic milk feeder.
authors.affiliation: Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Daisaku
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Mitsuhiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takagi
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fushimi
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kido
authors.forename: Miyo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ryuno
authors.forename: Yoshimi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Imura
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsunaga
authors.forename: Koto
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inokoshi
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shahada
authors.forename: Eisaburo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Deguchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / Q000097:blood; D009961:Orosomucoid / Q000032:analysis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011897:Random Allocation; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D001798:Blood Proteins; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D009961:Orosomucoid; D014280:Triglycerides; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D002784:Cholesterol; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid