Effects of supplementation level and particle size of alfalfa hay on growth characteristics and rumen development in dairy calves

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of particle size (PS) of alfalfa hay on growth characteristics and rumen development in dairy calves at two levels of alfalfa supplementation. Fifty newborn dairy calves (42.7 ± 2.2 kg BW) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with the factors supplementation level (low, 8%; or high, 16% on DM basis) and PS (medium, 2.92 mm; or long, 5.04 mm as geometrical means) of alfalfa hay. In addition, a control group without alfalfa hay was used. Hence, treatments were: control (C); low level with medium PS (LM); low level with long PS (LL); high level with medium PS (HM) or high level with long PS (HL). Growth performance of alfalfa‐fed calves did not differ from control calves, but alfalfa supplementation decreased corneum thickness of the rumen wall. In alfalfa‐fed calves, post‐weaning starter intake was greater for LL calves than for LM calves. During the entire rearing period, starter intake was 26–32% higher for LL and HM calves than for LM calves. Pre‐weaning average daily gain was higher for LL and HM calves than for HL calves, but this effect was not persistent over the entire rearing period. Final body weight decreased from 86 to 79 kg when the level of long PS alfalfa hay increased from 8 to 16%, but increased from 78 to 87 kg when the level of medium PS alfalfa increased from 8 to 16%. Regardless of PS and level, morphometric characteristics of rumen wall were generally similar among alfalfa feeding groups, but corneum thickness decreased from 8.7 to 6.1 μm with greater PS at the low level. These results indicate that adequate, but not excessive, physical stimulation is required for appropriate rumen development and growth performance of dairy calves.     

不同类型开食料对犊牛生长发育和瘤胃发酵的影响

试验旨在研究开食料类型对荷斯坦哺乳犊牛生长发育和瘤胃发酵参数的影响。选取30头刚出生的中国荷斯坦母犊牛,按照体重进行划分区组,随机分配到3个处理组中,各组分别饲喂颗粒状开食料、粉状开食料和口感化开食料。试验共80 d,其中1～50 d为哺乳期,按照正常程序饲喂常乳+自由采食开食料;51～60 d为过渡期,减少常乳饲喂量+自由采食开食料;61～80 d为断奶后期,自由采食开食料。犊牛从出生第7天开始饲喂开食料。每天记录开食料采食量,分别于试验第1天、第50天、第60天和第80天在早晨饲喂前称重犊牛体重,分别于第50天、第60天和第80天在犊牛采食开食料2 h后采集瘤胃液,测定挥发性脂肪酸浓度和NH3-N浓度。试验结果表明,不同物理形态的开食料对犊牛的体重、平均日增重和开食料采食量具有显著影响。给犊牛饲喂口感化开食料和颗粒状开食料显著增加了干物质采食量和平均日增重,以口感化开食料的饲喂效果最佳。给犊牛饲喂不同物理形态的开食料,对瘤胃pH值、乙酸、丙酸和丁酸浓度无显著影响,但是对瘤胃液氨氮浓度和总挥发性脂肪酸浓度具有显著影响。饲喂口感化开食料和颗粒状开食料显著降低了瘤胃液氨氮浓度,增加了瘤胃液总挥发性脂肪酸浓度。因此,在犊牛开食料的选择上,给犊牛饲喂口感化开食料可以提高犊牛生长性能,改善瘤胃发酵功能。     

Exposure to blue LED light before the onset of darkness under a long‐day photoperiod alters melatonin secretion,feeding behaviour and growth in female dairy calves

The effect of blue LED on melatonin secretion, feeding behaviour and growth was addressed in Holstein female dairy calves. In Exp.1, six animals (8 weeks old, 97 ± 4.1 kg BW) were exposed to yellow or blue LED for 2 hr before darkness over 7 days under a long‐day photoperiod (LDPP). In Exp. 2, six animals (8 weeks old, 88.5 ± 4.8 kg BW) were exposed to blue light from a white LED all daytime or a yellow LED for 2 hr before the darkness of LDPP (blue light cut) over 3 weeks. In Exp. 1, blue light mildly suppressed melatonin secretion during the 2‐hr treatment but did not affect the timing of the nightly melatonin rise. However, the rise in nighty melatonin levels was higher with yellow than blue LED. In Exp. 2, white LED completely suppressed melatonin secretion during the 2‐hr treatment, but plasma melatonin concentrations were similar during the darkness. Grass hay intake, rumination time, frequency of water intake and body weight gain were higher in animals exposed to the yellow rather than the white LED. Overall results indicate that exposure to blue light from white LEDs under an LDPP suppresses melatonin secretion and might negatively impact the development of female dairy calves.     

Approachability and contact behavior of commercial dairy calves to humans

Calves (n = 106) on four dairy farms were observed for their approachability to humans. All calves experienced similar rearing conditions: Beginning individual pen, after birth until weaning at about 2 months, where they were housed individually and fed milk and a milk replacement; Late individual pen, after weaning until grouping at about 3.5 months, where they were housed individually and fed hay, silage and concentrate feed; Beginning group pen, after grouping until 5 months, where they were housed in groups of 2–5 animals and fed hay, silage and concentrate feed; later group pen, from 5 to 7 months. The number of calves that contacted an experimenter who stood in front of their pens for 10 min was recorded on 6 separate days over 3 months. Latency to touch and time spent in activities during touching such as sucking, licking, biting and rubbing were also measured. There were no significant differences in the latency to touch and the ratio of touch to non‐touch calves between the rearing conditions and the farms. The time spent touching was significantly affected by the interaction between the rearing condition and the farm (P < 0.01). In detail, the time spent sucking (P < 0.001) and licking (P < 0.01) was different between the rearing condition × farm variables. The proportion of calves that approached and touched the experimenter tended to be higher in the farms in which a stockperson worked longer inside and outside their pens (both ρ = 0.95, P = 0.051). These results were interpreted according to the perspectives of early positive reinforcement with food and the habituation process to humans existing nearby.     

Physiological and behavioural responses of grazing dairy cows to an acute metabolic challenge

Due to seasonal changes in the quality and quantity of herbage, the nutrient supply to grazing dairy cows is not always sufficient, which may increase their metabolic load. To investigate the temporal pattern of behavioural changes in relation to concomitant metabolic alterations, we subjected 15 multiparous early lactating Holstein dairy cows (24 (SD 7.4) days in milk) to a short‐term metabolic challenge, which we provoked by abruptly withdrawing concentrate for 1 week. Cows grazed full‐time and were supplemented with concentrate in experimental week (EW) 1 and EW 3, whereas concentrate was withdrawn in EW 2. We analysed milk and blood samples to characterise the metabolic changes and found that the total yield of milk and protein decreased (p < 0.05) and fat yield, fat‐to‐protein ratio and acetone content increased (p < 0.05) from EW 1 to EW 2. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were lower (p < 0.05), and concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and beta‐hydroxybutyrate were higher (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1. Apart from ingestive and rumination behaviour and activity, we also monitored the use of an automated brush on pasture. While time spent eating and ruminating increased (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1, time spent idling decreased (p < 0.05). Concomitantly, while time standing and moving increased (p < 0.05) from EW 1 to EW 2, walking time decreased (p < 0.05). The daily proportion of cows using the automated brush decreased (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1, as did the duration of brushing per day. In conclusion, grazing cows experiencing a metabolic challenge try to compensate for the nutrient deficiency by increasing eating time, a behavioural element important for short‐term survival. Due to the strong impact of weather conditions, we cannot currently recommend observation of outdoor brushing activity to address short‐term alterations in the metabolic state of grazing cows.     

开食料中不同NDF水平对犊牛生长性能、瘤胃内环境及血清生化指标的影响

为探索开食料中不同NDF水平对犊牛生长、瘤胃发酵参数以及血清生化指标的影响,选用初生重相近(42±2.5) kg、饲喂足量初乳的中国荷斯坦犊牛60头,其中公犊牛36头,母犊牛24头。随机分为A、B、C和D 4个处理组,每个处理15头,其中9头公犊牛+6头母犊牛,试验犊牛于犊牛岛(1.5 m×3.4 m)单独饲养。15日龄开始分别饲喂NDF水平不同的4种开食料,分别为:A处理10%,B处理15%,C处理20%和D处理25%,70日龄断奶,试验期112 d。结果表明:1)0~42日龄和70~112日龄,B组日增重均高于A、C和D组(P<0.05),分别高出45.69、39.79、117.13 g·d^-1和35.33、153.29、 145.93 g·d^-1。70~112日龄,B、C和D组开食料采食量显著高于A组(P<0.05),分别高出255.20、252.48和392.27 g·d^-1。A(0.61)和B(0.60)组犊牛的饲料转化率显著高于C(0.55)和D(0.54)组(P<0.05);2)犊牛瘤胃pH在35和70日龄时,C组显著高于其他3组(P<0.05),112日龄时,A和B组显著高于C和D组(P<0.05);3)瘤胃NH₃-N含量在90日龄前差异不显著(P>0.05),但在112日龄时, B、C和D组较A组显著降低16.72%、44.19%和52.10%(P<0.05);4)C和D组乙酸比例显著高于A和B组(P<0.05);B组丙酸比例较A、C和D组高出4.24%、3.18%和6.43% (P<0.05),乙酸/丙酸显著低于A、C和D组(P<0.05);5)各处理组间血清总蛋白、葡萄糖和尿素氮含量无显著差异(P>0.05)。1~3月龄犊牛开食料中NDF适宜水平为15%有利于提高断奶后日增重,促进饲料利用效率,改善瘤胃内环境,且对犊牛血清生化指标无不利影响。     

犊牛生产体系和断奶后的管理对其生长性能的影响

文章旨在评估犊牛生产系统和断奶后管理对其生长性能和胴体特征的影响。试验采用2×2因子设计,两个生产系统(在玉米秸秆上饲养和在干燥环境饲养),两个断奶后的管理(直接育肥和采用生长-育肥两阶段饲养)。结果显示:与冬季在干燥环境饲养的牛相比,冬季在玉米秸秆上过冬的犊牛初始体重较轻(P <0.05)。同时,冬季在干燥环境下饲养的犊牛较在玉米秸秆上过冬的犊牛日增重显著提高(P <0.05)。前期在玉米秸秆上过冬的犊牛在生长-育肥期的初始体重显著低于在干燥环境饲养犊牛(P <0.05)。但在玉米秸秆上过冬的犊牛较干燥环境饲养的犊牛存在代偿性反应特征,表现为日增重和饲料报酬显著提高(P <0.05)。在评价断奶后管理对生长性能的影响时,生长-育肥期犊牛较育肥期犊牛初始体重、末重和干物质摄入量显著提高(P <0.05)。但与生长-育肥期犊牛相比,育肥期犊牛日增重和饲料报酬显著提高(P <0.05)。断奶后的管理和生产体系对大理石纹的影响具有显著交互效应(P <0.05)。在玉米秸秆上过冬的生长-育肥组较其他组显著提高了大理石纹评分(P <0.05)。结论:与断奶后直接饲喂育肥期饲料的犊牛相比,采用生长-育肥两阶段饲喂方式的犊牛胴体重量显著提高。然而,直接饲喂育肥料的犊牛饲料报酬和日增重均提高,两阶段饲喂方式的犊牛在经济收益上无显著差异。     

Effects of sodium humate and glutamine combined supplementation on growth performance,diarrhea incidence,blood parameters,and intestinal microflora of weaned calves

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of sodium humate (HNa) and glutamine (Gln) alone or combined supplementation on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, blood parameters, and intestinal microflora of weaned Holstein calves. In a 14-day experiment, 40 calves at 51 ± 3 days of age were randomly allocated to four treatment groups: (1) NC (basal diet), (2) NC + 5% HNa, (3) NC + 1% Gln, and (4) NC + 5% HNa + 1% Gln. Calves combined supplementation with HNa and Gln had a higher (P < .05) ADG, serum concentration of glucose (GLU), IgA, and IgG but lower fecal scores, diarrhea incidence, serum concentration of TNF-α, and IL-10 compared with NC group (P < .05). Compared with NC group, HNa + Gln group showed higher (P < .05) serum GSH and T-AOC activities but lower (P < .05) concentration of MDA and D-lac. Furthermore, the abundances of Prevotella ruminicola, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus in rectal digesta were increased (P < .05), but the Escherichia coli was significantly decreased. In conclusion, combined supplementation with HNa and Gln can effectively improve the immune status, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microflora of the weaned calves while reducing diarrhea incidence.     

Hygiene management in newborn individually housed dairy calves focusing on housing and feeding practices

In calf rearing, the first weeks of life are critical and associated with the highest mortality due to enteric and respiratory diseases. A well-implemented hygiene management can help to protect calves’ health preventively by reducing the load of pathogenic bacteria and interrupting infection chains. The aim of this study was to identify deficiencies in hygiene management of individually housed dairy calves by surveying current practice and examining feeding and housing equipment with different hygiene indicators. On 11 farms, different locations in 2 pens or hutches for individual calf rearing prepared for restocking and 2 feeding buckets per farm, including the inner and outer surfaces of artificial teats, were visually scored for cleanliness and sampled with swabs (housing equipment: n = 167; feeding equipment: n = 120). The sanitation of floors was tested with sock samples (n = 41). A total of 328 samples were analyzed for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and protein residues, aerobic total viable count (TVC), total coliform count (TCC), Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing bacteria (ESBL), and Salmonella spp. After evaluation of these results, the farmers were informed about the findings and trained on improvement in hygiene management personally. The sampling was repeated after 1 year to detect possible changes in hygiene management. The highest bacterial loads (TVC, TCC, and E. coli) were observed in feeding equipment, especially the inner teat of milk feeding buckets. Environmental samples, primarily the sidewalls and back walls of tested pens and hutches, exhibited the lowest bacterial counts and ATP and protein residues. All samples were negative for MRSA and Salmonella spp. In 10.5% of all samples, ESBL was detected, and in 6.8%, ESBL E. coli was detected, predominately in sock samples, followed by feeding equipment samples. Training in hygiene management showed only limited effects. In conclusion, there is still great potential to improve the implementation of hygiene measures in individual calf housing. In particular, more attention should be paid to the cleaning of feeding buckets and artificial teats, as this is a simple means of interrupting the possible spread of pathogens among calves.     

Effects of limited concentrate feeding on growth and blood and serum variables, and on nutrient digestibility and gene expression of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes in dairy calves

This study elucidated the effects of limited concentrate feeding on growth, nutrient digestibility, blood profile and gene expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in the liver of dairy calves. The study utilized 36 German Holstein dairy calves (5-7 days of age) divided into two groups of 18 calves each for 150 days. Control group calves received 2 kg/(calf × day) of concentrate, whereas calves in the restricted group received only 1 kg/(calf × day). Good quality forage (mixture of maize and grass silages) was available for ad libitum consumption to both groups. The intake of milk replacer before weaning, and of concentrate were recorded daily per calf; however, the consumption of forages was quantified as daily average of the group. Body weights (BW) were recorded at start and on days 35, 70, 112 and 150. Blood and serum samples and spot urinary and faecal samples were also collected at similar time points. On days 70 and 150, liver biopsies were collected from seven animals in each group. The BW was not different between the groups at all times. Total BW gain in the control group was 124 kg as opposed to 111 kg in restricted group that led to average BW gain of 827 g/day and 739 g/day in respective groups, and the differences were significant (p = 0.018). As planned, the control group had higher concentrate and lower forage intake than the restricted group. The blood haemoglobin, haematocrit and serum variables (glucose, total protein, albumin and urea) were within the normal range in both groups, but serum glucose was higher (p < 0.05) in control than in restricted group at 70 days. There was no difference between groups in organic matter (OM) digestibility which declined (p < 0.001) with increasing age in both groups. Microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis estimated from urinary allantoin excretion increased (p < 0.001) in both groups with increasing age but was not different between groups. The mRNA expressions for the gluconeogenic enzymes, cytosolic and mitochondrial phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) and pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1) measured by quantitative real-time PCR in liver biopsies showed no differences between groups. Overall, restricting concentrate moderately reduced the growth intensity without affecting the normal serum and blood indices, and MCP synthesis and OM digestibility showed no differences between groups, indicating that both concentrate feeding schemes can be successfully applied.     

Cryptosporidium parvum infection and management-based risk factors of dairy calves in Taiwan

Cryptosporidiosis is one of the major causes of diarrhea in calves. Cryptosporidium parvum is considered the most important calf diarrhea pathogen in the Cryptosporidium species. Not only could infected calves spread C. parvum, but infected adult cattle could also shed oocysts. The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the prevalence of C. parvum in dairy herds in Taiwan, including calves, the dams in delivery enclosure, the floor, and the drinking water; (2) to clarify the relationship of diarrhea, management, and C. parvum infection. Twenty dairy herds in Taiwan were selected by random sampling, including 226 calves and 198 dams, and other environmental samples were collected. A questionnaire was filled out by the farm owners to collect information regarding the management of calves and the delivery enclosure. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for C. parvum infection. The prevalence of C. parvum infection in calves was 26.5% (60/226), while in dams, it was 19.7% (39/198). The C. parvum infection in calves increased with environmental contamination of C. parvum and clinical signs of diarrhea, while it decreased with a yard provided in the delivery enclosure. In conclusion, the management of the delivery enclosure appears to be more important for preventing cryptosporidiosis in calves in Taiwan.     

Effect of supplementation of calf starter with fennel powder on performance,weaning age and fermentation characteristics in Holstein dairy calves

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects on performance, weaning age and rumen fermentation characteristics in Holstein calves when fennel powder was added to their starter diets. Thirty Holstein calves with a mean birth weight 40 kg (SD = 0.5) were allocated randomly to one of the following experimental diets: (i) control (starter diet without fennel powder), (ii) starter diet containing 0.4% of fennel powder and (iii) starter diet containing 0.8% of fennel powder (DM basis). The effect of treatments on mean dry matter intake was significant (p < 0.05) in the post‐weaning and total experimental periods. Average daily weight gain before (0.38, 0.49 and 0.47 kg/day) and after (0.6, 1.01 and 0.83 kg/day) weaning and during the entire study (0.45, 0.7 and 0.58 kg/day) was influenced by diets of 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p < 0.05). Maximum daily weight gain and the best feed conversion ratio were achieved with 0.4% fennel powder. Mean weaning age of the calves supplemented with fennel powder was lower (p < 0.05) than that of the control group. Ruminal fluid pH in calves offered starter containing 0.8% fennel powder was lower (p < 0.05) compared to calves fed the other diets. Ammonia nitrogen content increased (p < 0.05) in the third week of feeding fennel powder. The mean concentration of total short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) and propionate molar percentage in the ruminal fluid of the calves fed with the fennel powder were higher (p < 0.05) at 6 weeks and 2 weeks after weaning than control group; however, acetate‐to‐propionate molar ratio was lower (p < 0.05). The results showed that adding 0.4% fennel powder to the starter increased the propionate molar percentage in the rumen and improved the calf performance, allowing the calves to be weaned at an earlier age.     

Effects of a local anaesthetic and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatlory analgesic on the behavioural responses of calves to dehorning

Aims. To evaluate the use of local anaesthesia and systemic analgesia for alleviating the distress associated with dehorning by monitoring stimulated behaviours in calves.

Methods. Eight behaviours were monitored in 3-4 month-old calves dehorned with and without local anaesthesia and/or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, from 2 hours after treatment.

Results. Four of the behaviours, lying, grazing or ruminating, tail shaking and ear flicking, were significantly different during the first 4-6 hours of observation in control calves, which were not dehorned, compared to calves dehorned without anaesthesia or analgesia, which suggests that these behaviours are useful indices of the acute pain experienced by calves after dehorning. The behaviour of calves dehorned after both a local anaesthetic and a non-steroidal anti- inflammatory agent had been administered was similar to control calves. The behaviour of calves given only local anaesthesia or systemic analgesia prior to dehorning was similar to that of calves dehorned without any pain relief.

Conclusion. These results suggest that calves should be given both a local anaesthetic and a systemic analgesic before dehorning to alleviate the pain associated with this procedure.     

奶牛良种登记和个体选配PDA设备的设计与开发

本研究利用实时嵌入式操作系统Microsoft Windows CE.NET,C#,eMbedded VisualC++4.0,SQL Server CE数据库,设计开发以PDA(Per-sonal Digital Assistant)技术为手段的奶牛个体选配电子设备-掌中宝。本设备主要具有以下三种功能:(1)在现场实现奶牛基本资料的采集和录入;(2)对奶牛体型外貌按加拿大评分标准现场评分;(3)对奶牛进行个体选配、系谱资料等遗传信息采集,配种员输入待改良的指标和与配公牛冻精号,便可自动获取选配结果。在采集工作完成后可与台式计算机连接将数据保存在奶牛信息管理系统内。     

Effects of intracerebroventricular injections of leptin on the release of luteinizing hormone and growth hormone in castrated calves

The purpose of the present study was to clarify the hypothalamic action of leptin on the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone (GH) in cattle. Intracerebroventricular (the third ventricle) injections of leptin were given to fully fed castrated Holstein calves. Blood samples were collected at 10‐min intervals for 60 min after injection and 20‐min intervals for 60 min before injection and for 60–180 min after injection through an indwelling catheter in the external jugular vein. Plasma LH and GH levels were examined by homologous radioimmunoassay. The administration of 10 µg of leptin stimulated a significant (P < 0.05) release of GH but not LH. Average GH levels began to rise after 30 min and were significantly increased at 40, 50 and 60 min after the injection, compared with the respective control values (P < 0.05). The present result suggests that leptin may act partly on the hypothalamus to stimulate the release of GH in castrated calves.     

断奶应激对犊牛血液生化、免疫和内分泌的影响

选择体质量和出生日期接近的26头犊牛,其中6头母犊,20头公犊。10日龄开始补充苜蓿干草、精饲料自由采食,60日龄断奶。分别在断奶前（-1d）和断奶后1,3,5,7,14d采集血液,测定血清中代谢物、激素及免疫球蛋白含量的变化情况。结果表明,断奶影响犊牛的消化代谢,血清中葡萄糖、总蛋白、尿素氮、甘油三酯含量变化显著（P〈0.01）。断奶造成犊牛血清皮质醇、急性反应蛋白、T3、T4、乳酸脱氢酶、碱性磷酸酶、溶菌酶显著变化（P〈0.01）,使免疫球蛋白、γ-IFN、IL-1含量有不同程度下降（P〉0.05）。因此,断奶不仅降低了犊牛的免疫力,而且对犊牛产生了严重的应激反应。     

液体饲料饲喂量对哺乳期犊牛生长性能、消化代谢的影响

研究液态饲料的饲喂量对犊牛生长发育、营养物质消化吸收的影响。选取16头犊牛,分为2个处理组,按照体重的9.5%和11.0%分别饲喂代乳粉乳液,试验全期为8周,测定犊牛的体重、测量体尺,进行消化代谢试验。两组犊牛在增重、体长指数、体躯指数上没有显著性差异(P0.05);在营养物质的消化代谢上,11.0%组在3～4周时干物质吸收量、粗蛋白吸收量及代谢能均优于9.5%组(P0.05),而在5～6周时无显著差异(P0.05)。在本试验中,液体饲料的饲喂量为犊牛体重11.0%时对犊牛的生长性能具有较好的促进作用,并且对犊牛消化吸收营养物质有积极的影响。     

Effects of intravenous ghrelin injection on plasma growth hormone,insulin and glucose concentrations in calves at weaning

Ghrelin action, which stimulates growth hormone (GH) secretion, may alter during the weaning period in calves. Our objective was to compare the effects of intravenous ghrelin injection on plasma GH, insulin and glucose concentrations in calves around the weaning period. Four Holstein bull calves were fed whole milk and allowed free access to solid feeds, and weaned at 7 weeks of age. Measurements were performed at weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 13, when calves were intravenously injected with ghrelin (1.0 μg/kg body weight (BW)) through a catheter, and jugular blood samples were obtained temporally relative to the injection time. Estimated digestible energy intake per metabolic BW transiently decreased at week 7 because of low solid intake immediately after weaning, and thereafter gradually increased. Plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were not affected by ghrelin injection at all ages. In contrast, plasma GH concentrations increased with ghrelin injection at all ages. The incremental area of GH at week 7 was greatest and significantly higher compared with weeks 2, 4, 6 and 9. This result suggests that nutrient insufficiency immediately after weaning enhances GH responsiveness to ghrelin.     

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.     

Effect of nematode infections on growth performance of calves during winter housing on dairy farms

Growth performance of calves was estimated by means of heart girth measurements on 48 farms during winter housing (from December to the end of March). Level of exposure to nematode infection was measured by antibody titres, pepsinogen values, and faecal examinations. Half of each herd was treated with albendazole after housing. All infection parameters measured in March were significantly lower in the treated groups than in the untreated control groups. Treatment increased growth rate by an average of +0.007 cm day-1 (N.S.), i.e. +0.036 kg day-1. Effect of treatment varied from -0.075 to +0.100 cm day-1 among herds. This effect of treatment on the growth performance was significantly correlated positively to pepsinogen value (r = 0.321, P less than 0.05 measured in October; r = 0.265, P less than 0.10 measured in December). Control groups showed very different growth rates among herds, ranging from 0.023 to 0.170 cm day-1, i.e. 0.112-0.874 kg day-1. This variation was strongly related to several infection parameters, particularly those measured in October. The most pronounced correlation was found between the average daily gain of the control groups and the mean herd antibody titre against Ostertagia spp. measured in October (r = -0.413, P less than 0.01). These results were consistent with those of a similar study conducted on commercial dairy farms a year earlier.