Thesis
Investigating the passive effect of yeast supplementation on Holstein calves
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2019
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101759
Abstract
Feeding yeast-based supplements during the transition period may benefit a cow's immunity, but the effect of these supplements on colostrum quality and calf well-being is relatively unknown. The objectives of the study were to determine how feeding Celmanax, a yeast-based supplement, to transition cows affected colostrum quality, passive transfer to calves, calf responses to stress, and calf exposure to bedding pathogens. Forty-three multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to either be fed 56 g/d of CelmanaxTM for 21 d pre-partum and 28 g/d for 60 d post-partum, or not be fed CelmanaxTM. Individual colostrum quality (% IgG) was measured with a Brix refractometer upon calving. Each heifer calf (n=20) was enrolled from birth through 40 d of age. At birth, body weights (BW) and blood samples were collected to measure pre-colostrum total serum protein (TSP) concentrations. Weekly BWs were collected and additional blood samples were collected at 3, 14, and 40 d of age to measure post-colostrum TSP concentrations, serum cortisol concentrations, and serum IL-6 concentrations. Bedding samples were collected from the individually-housed calves and cultured for lactose-fermenting bacteria on d 7 and 14. No differences in BWs, ADG, or colostrum quality (all P > 0.05) occurred between treatments. Calf TSP did not differ between treatments (P = 0.19) but did increase post-colostrum (P < 0.0001). Pathogen presence in calf bedding was not influenced by treatment (P = 0.73), but calves that were fed a higher-quality colostrum tended to have fewer instances of bedding bacteria (P = 0.06). In addition, health scores were not affected by treatment, but by age (P = 0.009); additionally, ocular scores did tend to be lower in calves that received higher quality colostrum (P = 0.06). Finally, calves born from Celmanax cows had increased serum cortisol concentrations, as well as the tendency to have increased serum IL-6 concentrations compared to control calves (P = 0.05; P = 0.07) These results suggest feeding CelmanaxTM to cows may not drastically affect their calf's well-being. However, colostrum quality may influence bacterial presence in calf bedding and calf physical health.
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Details
- Title
- Investigating the passive effect of yeast supplementation on Holstein calves
- Creators
- Briah Michelle Parchment
- Contributors
- Amber L. Adams-Progar (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Animal Sciences, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525199401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis