Prophylactic use of an ultra-diluted complex on health, metabolism, and performance of weaned Holstein calves and its carryover effect up to first lactation

Author(s)

da Silva, T. H. ^[1] ; Guimaraes, I. C. S. B. ^[1] ; Martins, M. M. ^[1] ; Netto, A. Saran ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Anim Sci & Food Engn, Dept Anim Sci, BR-13635900 Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE; v. 104, n. 12, p. 12912-12924, DEC 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an ultra-diluted complex supplemented as a prophylactic strategy on the incidence risk of diseases, metabolism, and performance of weaned Holstein calves immediately after grouping. Additionally, the objective was to investigate the carryover effects on heifer-raising and first-lactation periods, in a double-blind, placebocontrolled trial. A total of 184 weaned Holstein calves (83 +/- 7.9 d of life; 112.5 +/- 11.7 kg of body weight; values are mean +/- standard deviation) were allocated to 8 paddocks in a completely randomized block design experiment. During a 112-d period, animals received a total mixed ration arid were randomly allocated into 2 groups: (1) CON: placebo-control (basal diet + calcium carbonate, top-dressed at 30 g/animal per day of placebo), or (2) UD: ultra-diluted complex (basal diet + TopVita-Real H, top-dressed at 30 g/anirnal per day of sulfur (10(-60)) + viola tricolor (10(-14)) + caladium seguinum (10 (-30)) + zincum oxydatum (10(-30)) + phosphorus (10(-60)) + carduus marianus (10(-60)) + colibacillinum (10(-30)) + podophyllum (10(-30)) + vehicle: calcium carbonate; quantum sufficit 1 kg). Incidence risk of diseases, number of days with disease, and mortality events were recorded daily. Performance measurements and blood collection were carried out at enrollment and every 28 d until the end of the study period. The incidence risk of digestive problems was higher for the CON group. Additionally, the CON group had higher cumulative number of days per calf affected by tick-borne disease. Blood analysis revealed that CON calves had increased mean corpuscular hemoglobin amount and concentration than UD calves on d 28 after enrollment arid had increased serum albumin and total protein concentration on d 84. Furthermore, higher albumin to globulin ratio was found in CON calves than in those of UD group at enrollment; however, on d 56, the inverse was observed. On d 28 after enrollment, CON calves had increased serum cortisol concentration. Regarding body measurements, higher withers height and body depth were detected in UD calves, on d 28 and d 84, respectively. Finally, higher culling risk was observed in the CON group during the heifer-raising period. In conclusion, a lower incidence risk of digestive problems and days with tick-borne disease were detected in the UD group. Additionally, systemic inflammation was improved by UD complex based on circulating inflammation and stress biomarkers on specific days after enrollment. However, UD product did not improve performance at the post-weaning, heifer-raising, and first-lactation periods. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/03759-9 - Use of homeopathic therapy in the rearing phase of Holstein heifers as a strategy to mitigate stress and improve performance until the first lactation
• Grantee: Thiago Henrique da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate