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This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jas.2008-1225v1 87/6/2047    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Shea, E. C. Articles by Erickson, P. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Shea, E. C. Articles by Erickson, P. S.

Effects of colostrum replacer supplemented with lactoferrin on the blood plasma immunoglobulin G concentration and intestinal absorption of xylose in the neonatal calf

Department of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham 03824

peter.erickson{at}unh.edu

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of lactoferrin (Lf) supplementation of colostrum replacer (CR) fed as 1 or 2 doses on apparent efficiency of immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption, serum IgG concentrations, and xylose absorption/intestinal development in neonatal Holstein bull calves. Eighty bull calves were assigned to a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design. Calves used were from the University of New Hampshire (n = 48) or a commercial dairy (n = 32). All calves were fed CR according to manufacturer’s recommendations + Lf treatment within 90 min of birth. Lactoferrin treatments were 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 2 g/d of supplemental Lf. At 12 h of age, calves were fed a second feeding of CR + supplemental Lf or 2 L of milk replacer + supplemental Lf. Calves continued to be fed milk replacer + supplemental Lf every 12 h for the duration of study. Blood samples were collected for determination of IgG and total serum protein at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h. Calves, except those fed 1 dose of CR plus 1 or 2 g of Lf, had serum IgG concentrations > 10 g/L at 24 h. Lactoferrin supplementation had no effect on serum IgG or total serum protein concentrations. Calves fed 2 doses of CR had higher serum IgG concentrations compared to calves fed 1 dose of CR. Apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG was lower in calves fed 2 doses of CR compared to calves fed 1 dose of CR. Lactoferrin supplementation (up to 1 g/d) resulted in a lower apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG. At the 6th feeding (60 + 2 h of age), D-xylose (0.5 g/kg BW) was mixed with milk replacer + supplemental Lf (n = 48) to determine xylose absorption by the small intestine. Blood was collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 h after feeding xylose for determination of plasma glucose and xylose concentrations. Xylose means and area under the curve resulted in quadratic effects. Feeding calves 0.5 or 1 g/d supplemental Lf resulted in lower plasma xylose concentrations than calves fed 0 or 2 g/d supplemental Lf. Colostrum replacer or supplemental Lf did not affect plasma glucose concentrations. This study indicates that supplementing Lf at 0.5 or 1 g/d to calves fed CR has a negative effect on both apparent efficiency of IgG absorption and xylose absorption.

Key Words: calves • colostrum replacer • lactoferrin • IgG • xylose