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Digestibility and Blood Parameters in the Preruminant Calf Fed a Clotting or a Nonclotting Milk Replacer^1,2

Université Laval, Québec G1K 7P4, Canada

Abstract

Eight male Holstein calves 7 to 10 d of age were fed a milk replacer containing a skim milk powder subjected to low-temperature drying either with or without addition of an oxalate-NaOH buffer known to prevent curd formation. The calves were used in a completely randomized design to study the effect of milk clotting on digestibility and blood parameters. Plasma glucose and plasma insulin were similar (P > .05) for the clotting and the nonclotting milk replacers. For both treatments, concentrations of glucose and insulin reached a peak 2 h postfeeding (P < .01). Plasma triglycerides were higher (P < .01) postfeeding for the nonclotting than for the clotting milk replacer. Plasma essential amino acids and plasma urea were higher, whereas plasma calcium was lower, for the nonclotting milk (P < .01). Digestibility of dry matter, protein and fat was similar (P > .05) between clotting and nonclotting milk. The dry matter content of feces was not affected by clotting (P > .05). The data are interpreted to indicate that clotting of the milk replacer modifies blood concentrations of triglycerides, essential amino acids and urea without changing the digestibility of the diet.

¹ Contribution no. 1469 from the Anim. Res. Centre.

² The authors thank M. K. Bryan and the staff of Barn 509 at the Greenbelt Farm for technical assistance, the Nat. Sci. and Eng. Res. Council of Canada for financial assistance to H.V. P., and Dr. Nadeau, CHUL, Québec City, for performing determination of insulin. This work was part of a Ph.D. Program (H.V.P.) and was supported in part by a grant from the Conseil des Recherches et Services Agricoles du Québec (CRESAQ). Experimental work was carried out at the Anim. Res. Centre in Ottawa.

³ Dept. Zootechnie and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition.

⁴ Present address: Research Station, Agriculture Canada, C. P. 90, Lennoxville, Québec, J1M 1Z3.

⁵ Anim. Res. Centre, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C6.