Fecal excretion of alcohols and organic anions in neonatal dairy calves

To clarify colonic fermentation during the perinatal period, 22 dairy calves less than 6 weeks old were used. They were given a milk replacer following colostrum feeding. A total 100 samples of normal feces including meconium were collected from the rectum of the calves. Fecal pH, alcohols, lactate and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were analyzed. Higher ethanol and n -propanol concentrations were found in many fecal samples particularly in the first 2 weeks after birth, but these metabolites showed consistently lower concentrations thereafter. By contrast, higher concentrations of methanol were observed in some samples for all ages examined. Fecal VFA increased abruptly within a few days of birth, and mainly consisted of acetate and n -butyrate. During the first 2 weeks, the proportion of n -butyrate in VFAs decreased and that of propionate increased gradually. Proportions of VFAs were almost stable at 3–6 weeks of age (acetate, propionate and n -butyrate in increasing order). Higher concentrations of lactate and lower pHs were observed in the fecal samples during the first 2 weeks, and concentrations decreased thereafter. Accelerated colonic production of ethanol and n -propanol was confirmed during the early 2 weeks, in addition to organic acid fermentation as reported previously.