Effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid administration on health and growth rate of group-housed Japanese black calves fed using an automatic controlled milk feeder.
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.
Matsumoto
Daisaku
D
Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
Takagi
Mitsuhiro
M
Fushimi
Yasuo
Y
Okamoto
Koji
K
Kido
Mari
M
Ryuno
Miyo
M
Imura
Yoshimi
Y
Matsunaga
Masanori
M
Inokoshi
Koto
K
Shahada
Francis
F
Deguchi
Eisaburo
E
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
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