J.L. Morrill

Effect of Protein Source in Calf Milk Replacers on Morphology and Absorptive Ability of Small Intestine

Abstract Holstein calves were fed milk or one of four milk replacers with one-third of the total protein supplied by casein, soy protein concentrate, soy flour, or fish protein concentrate. The remainder of the protein in each replacer was from milk sources. Milk and milk replacers (13% solids) were fed at 10% of body weight daily. No dry feed or bedding was provided. Absorptive ability of small intestine was evaluated by xylose absorption test at 2-wk intervals. With calves under general anesthesia, a biopsy of small intestine was taken after each xylose test to examine morphological changes in mucosa by scanning electron microscopy. Villi were long, tapering, and uniform in calves fed milk. Calves fed casein had greater variation in size and conformation of villi. Gradual deterioration in villous integrity was seen in calves fed soy proteins. Calves fed fish protein concentrate performed poorly and had abnormal villi. Diets were changed to milk to test for reversal of effects after marked alterations in intestinal structure had been observed. Atrophy was reversed as villi returned toward normal size and shape within 2 wk after milk feeding began. The surgical procedure apparently did not cause harmful effects of villi. Absorption of xylose and daily gain were greater, and feces firmer, in calves fed milk than in those fed milk replacers.

Effect of Soy Protein on Calves’ Intestinal Absorptive Ability and Morphology Determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract Neonatal calves were fed whole milk (control) or one of three milk replacers with one-third of the total protein supplied by casein, Promocaf (a commercial soy protein concentrate), or an experimental soy flour. Xylose absorption was studied at 3 and 8 wk after a 12-h fast. Urine was collected for 5h, and jugular blood was sampled at 0, 2.5, and 5h after administration of xylose. Urinary excretions of xylose at 8 wk were 3.4, 5.3, 7.8, and 21.3% of xylose administered, respectively, for calves fed Promocaf, soy flour, casein, and milk. Increases in plasma xylose 2.5h after administration were 7.7, 21.3, 31.8, and 46.5mg/dl. Calves were sacrificed at 12 or 14 wk and duodenal tissues sampled for scanning electron microscopy. Micrographs revealed normal intestinal morphology with long, round, tapering villi when milk was fed. Casein feeding produced shorter, broader villi than did feeding whole milk. Abnormalities included absence of villi and short, blunted, convoluted villi on mucosal surfaces of calves fed soy proteins. Reduced surface area for intestinal absorption probably resulted from villous atrophy in calves with abnormal mucosae. Impairment of absorptive ability appears to be associated with morphological changes in intestinal structure.

Effect of serum from Vitamin E-supplemented calves on Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Virus replication

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Evaluation of milk replacers containing new protein soruces and a probiotic

The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate bovine and porcine plasma proteins as sources of protein for calf milk replacers and to evaluate a commercial probiotic. Four replacers were compared; an all milk protein control, two replacers with 25% of protein from bovine plasma protein or porcine plasma protein, and a replacer identical to the control except that it contained a probiotic (Biomate FG, Chr. Hansens Laboratory) instead of antibiotic. The 120 bull calves (7 ± 3 days of age) were divided into four equal groups, and calves from each group were fed 4 quarts per day of one of the replacers until weaned and all of a commercial starter they would eat. For the control, porcine plasma, bovine plasma, and probiotic replacer groups, respectively, during the 6-wk period, the weight gains were 23.8, 29.5, 27.9, and 22.2 lb. Starter consumptions were 53.7, 67.8, 58.7, and 54.6 lb, respectively. Deaths were 2, 1, 3, and 0, respectively. Increases in wither height were similar among diets. Increases in weight gains and starter consumed by calves fed the plasma proteins compared to controls approached significance (P = .10); differences between control and probiotic replacer groups were not significant.; Dairy Day, 1994, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1994;

Evaluation of enzyme-modified wheat gluten as a component of milk replacers for calves

Holstein bull calves (n=120) were assigned randomly to be fed either of five milk replacers (MR) that contained different amounts of crude protein (CP) and protein from wheat gluten (WG) for 6 weeks. Weight gains of calves fed MR containing 20% CP, with either 0, 30, or 50% of the protein coming from WG, were similar, as were gains of calves fed MR containing 18% CP with either none or 33% of the protein from WG. When WG supplied 33% of the protein, calves fed 18% CP gained as much as calves fed MR containing 20% CP. Calves fed MR containing 20% CP consumed more dry feed than those fed MR containing 18% CP, when both used only milk sources for protein. Calf feces were more solid when calves were fed MR containing 20% CP if 30% of the protein was supplied by WG, compared to when 50% was supplied by WG. Enzymemodified WG was an effective substitute for milk protein in a calf milk replacer.; Dairy Day, 1994, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1994;

Total mixed rations for feeding dairy heifers from 3 to 6 months of age

First, if facilities are available for only two groups from 12 to 24 wk of age and heifers are at the desired body weight (BW) at 12 wk of age, they should fed a diet similar to the experimental TMR 50:50 with a F:C ratio of 50:50 from 12 to 18 wk of age. For the next 6 wk, the heifers should be kept on the same diet or changed to a higher or lower concentration of energy, depending on their condition at the time, which will be a function of the quality of ingredients (primarily, the roughage) used in the diet. Feed consumption will be about 9 lb/head/day for heifers 12 to 18 wk of age, and 12 to 13 lb/head/day for heifers 18 to 24 wk of age.

Effect of roasting soybeans and corn on dairy calf performance

To evaluate the effect of roasting soybeans and corn on performance of young dairy calves, newborn Holstein calves (n= 132) were blocked by sex and birth date and randomly assigned to one of six isonitrogenous calf starters. The starters were formulated using soybean meal or soybeans roasted at 280 or 295 °F. Each of these protein sources was used with either raw corn or corn roasted at 280°F. Diets were offered ad libitum from .5 to 8 wk of age. Calves were fed milk at 4% of birth weight twice daily and weaned when they consumed 1.5 lb of starter per day for 3 consecutive days. Soybeans roasted at 295 °F resulted in improved overall calf performance. Roasted corn enhanced performance of calves fed soybean meal but did not alter performance of those fed soybeans roasted at 280 °F and depressed performance of calves fed soybeans roasted at 295 °F. These effects were more pronounced during the postweaning period (6 to 8 wk). These results demonstrate the importance of nutrient interactions in young dairy calves, especially when processed grains are fed.

Fish meal as a protein source for holstein steer calves

Holstein steer calves (n = 96) were on experiment from 8 to 18 wk of age. Control calves were fed a diet in which all supplemental protein was from soybean meal; in the experimental diet, part of the soybean meal was replaced by fish meal. Both feeds were readily consumed, and consumption did not differ between treatments. Gains of calves fed fish meal were greater (P = .10) during the first 8 wk of the experiment; however, over the entire experiment, the difference was not significant. Overall results suggest that fish meal may improve weight gains and feed efficiency of younger and smaller calves.

Leukocyte function in vitro after adding vitamins A, E, and Beta-Carotene

Blood neutrophils and pulmonary alveolar macrophages isolated from calves at 3 and 6 wk of age were cultured in medium without added vitamins or supplemented with vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin A and vitamin E, or ßcarotene and vitamin E. Macrophage bactericidal activity improved with A-E supplementation compared to ß-carotene-E supplementation at wk 3. Neutrophil bactericidal activity decreased with all vitamin E treatments at wk 3 and with vitamins E and A-E at wk 6. Neutrophil phagocytosis improved at wk 3 with A, E, and A-E supplementations. The chemotactic index improved at wk 3 with ß-caroteneE compared to vitamin E alone and at wk 6 with vitamin E compared to vitamin A and control treatments. The retinol content of neutrophils at wk 3 was variable, but by wk 6, cells supplemented with A, E, or A-E had higher retinol concentrations than control cells. Neutrophil a-tocopherol concentrations at 3 wk increased over controls with vitamin E or ßcaroteneE supplementation, but at wk 6, vitamin E-supplemented cells were different only from vitamin A-supplemented cells. These data suggest that there are optimum plasma concentrations of vitamins A and E for leukocyte functions.; Dairy Day, 1992, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1992;

Leukocyte function and health status of calves supplemented with vitamins A and E

Forty-four Holstein calves were fed milk replacers with varied concentrations of vitamins A and E from 3 to 45 d of age to determine their effects on concentrations of plasma vitamin A (retinol and retinyl palmitate) and vitamin E (αtocopherol), lymphocyte and neutrophil functions, and health of calves. Plasma α-tocopherol was unaffected by increased vitamin A supplementation. Fecal scores, and eye and nose membrane responses were improved with increased vitamin A and lower vitamin E concentration, whereas the same treatment tended to reduce neutrophil cytotoxic and bactericidal activity by 6 wk of age. Increased supplemental vitamin E tended to enhance neutrophil functions. However, age appeared to have an effect on response to both vitamins.