Thermoregulatory Responses and Performance of Dairy Calves Fed Different Amounts of Colostrum

Author(s)

Silva, Fernanda Lavinia Moura ^[1] ; Miqueo, Evangelina ^[1] ; Silva, Marcos Donizete da ^[1] ; Torrezan, Thais Manzoni ^[1] ; Rocha, Nathalia Brito ^[1] ; Salles, Marcia Saladini Vieira ^[2] ; Bittar, Carla Maris Machado ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Anim Sci, Luiz Queiroz Coll Agr, Av Padua Dias 11, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Anim Sci Inst IZ APTA, Av Bandeirantes 2419, BR-14030670 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANIMALS; v. 11, n. 3 MAR 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Simple Summary Colostrum is an important source of antibodies, nutrients, and energy for thermogenesis by the newborn calf. However, the amount of colostrum required for thermoregulatory responses and improved performance is not well established. This study evaluated newborn thermoregulatory responses during a cold challenge (10 degrees C) at 24 h of life and performance in the preweaning period for calves fed different volumes of colostrum. Newborn calves fed higher volumes of colostrum exhibited increased thermoregulatory responses, improved growth performance, and immunity. This study investigates the newborn thermoregulatory responses to cold and the performance of calves fed different colostrum volumes. Thirty newborn Holstein calves were blocked by birth body weight (BW; 39.4 +/- 6.5 kg) and fed different high-quality colostrum volumes: 10%, 15%, or 20% of BW, which was split and fed at 2 and 8 h after birth. At 24 h of life, calves were placed in a chamber at 10 degrees C for 150 min. Skin and rectal temperature (RT), heart and respiratory rate, and shivering were measured every 15 min. Blood samples were taken every 30 min. After the cold challenge, calves were housed in ambient temperature (26.8 +/- 5.9 degrees C), with free access to water and concentrate and received 6 L/d of milk replacer. Feed intake, fecal score, and RT were recorded daily, until 56 d of age. Blood samples, BW, and body measures were taken weekly. During the cold challenge, prescapular temperature and total serum protein were greater for calves fed 15% or 20%. Leukocytes increased preweaning, presenting higher values for calves fed 20%. Even though there was a benefit for the calf submitted to cold stress on the first day of life, feeding higher volumes of colostrum resulted in no differences in performance during the preweaning phase. Nevertheless, calves fed a higher volume of colostrum (20% BW) presented increased immune responses during the preweaning phase. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/05614-0 - Colostrum quality and importance of colostrum consumption in thermogenesis and metabolism of calves neonates
• Grantee: Carla Maris Machado Bittar
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/20987-7 - Importance of colostrum in thermoregulation of calves exposed to challenges of low temperatures
• Grantee: Fernanda Lavínia Moura Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate