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Growth and Health of Holstein Calves Fed Milk Replacers Supplemented with Antibiotics or Enteroguard1, 2
J. Dairy Sci. 85:947–950 American Dairy Science Association, 2002.
Growth and Health of Holstein Calves Fed Milk Replacers Supplemented with Antibiotics or Enteroguard1,2 D. C. Donovan,*3 S. T. Franklin,° C. C. L. Chase,*4 and A. R. Hippen*3 *South Dakota State University, Brookings 57007-0647 °Department of Animal Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40456-0215
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
Forty-five Holstein calves were fed milk replacers containing either antibiotics [MRA (oxytetracycline at 138 mg/kg and neomycin at 276 mg/kg), n = 22)] or Enteroguard [MRE, a blend of fructooligosaccharides, allicin, and gut-active microbes at (129 mg/kg, n = 23)] from birth to 5 wk of age to compare effects on average daily gain and on incidence of scours. Performance was evaluated by measuring weight gain, feed efficiency, and fecal scores. The overall body weight gains and severity of scours were not different between treatments, nor were there differences in starter intake or mean body weight gain. During wk 2, the average gain of calves fed MRA was less than that of calves fed MRE (0.07 vs. 0.09 kg/d, P = 0.09), and greater during wk 5 (0.62 vs. 0.51 kg/d, P < 0.01); however, total gain for calves fed MRE was not different from calves fed MRA. Likewise, average feed efficiencies (gain/dry matter intake) were not different. Severity of scours, as measured by fecal scores, and concentrations of serum proteins, an indirect measure of immunoglobulins, were similar for calves fed MRA and MRE. The results suggest that antibiotics in milk replacers can be replaced with compounds such as fructooligosaccharides, probiotics, and allicin to obtain similar calf performance. (Key words: calf, milk replacer, probiotics, antibiotics)
Before weaning, dairy calves are susceptible to many pathogens. Investigators have reported benefits from adding antibiotics to the feed of young calves. These benefits include increased average daily gains, improved feed consumption, and enhanced phagocytic efficiency. Additional benefits such as decreased incidence of scours, lower calf mortality, and decreased protein requirements have also been observed (Morrill et al., 1977; Morrill et al., 1995). The use of antibiotics in food production is a political issue and antibiotic resistance is an emerging public health concern. According to Amabile-Cuevas (1995), overuse of antibiotics exerts selective pressure which renders antibiotics ineffective in controlling bacterial diseases. Milk replacers containing antiobiotics are not effective at controlling protozoan or viral diarrhea (Olson et al., 1998). In an effort to eliminate antibiotics from animal feeds, many additives have been proposed for addition to milk replacers. Components such as probiotics, allicin, and oligosaccharides have shown promise to date. Probiotics are generally defined as “a live microbial feed supplement which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance” (Fuller, 1989). The addition of probiotics, in particular, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, to the diets of preweaned calves was demonstrated to increase BW gain and decrease incidence of scours (Abe et al., 1995). Fungal and viral diseases are inhibited by allicin (Davis et al., 1990; Weber et al., 1990). Allicin (thio-2propene-1-sulfinic acid S-allyl ester), a component of garlic, inhibits growth of bacteria by binding to the enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase and pathogenic microorganisms such as Thermoanerobium brockii. (Cavallito et al., 1944; Rabinkov et al., 1998). Allicin reacts rapidly with thiol proteins and has antioxidant effects. Because of these antimicrobial effects, allicin has been suggested as a control for Cryptosporidium spp. (1994). Garthwaite et al. (1994) reported that Cryptosporidium was the most common organism isolated from calf diar-
Abbreviation key: FOS = fructooligosaccharides,MRA = milk replacer containing antibiotics, MRE = milk replacer containing Enteroguard.
Received July 9, 2001. Accepted November 27, 2001. Corresponding author: A. R. Hippen; e-mail:arnold_hippen@ sdstate.edu. 1 Published with the approval of director of the South Dakota State University Agricultural Experiment Station as Publication Number 3228 of the Journal Series and with approval of the director of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station as Publication Number 01-07-14. 2 Funded by Pharmax Biologicals, Des Moines, IA 3 Department of Dairy Science 4 Department of Veterinary Science
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rhea on 1 and 3 d after birth; however, a clinical trial indicated that administration of allicin failed to alter the clinical course of Cryptosporidium parvum after inoculation (Olson et al., 1998). Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a family of oligosaccharides consisting of several β-(1-2) or β-(1-6)-linked fructose residues, act as selective substrates that appear to stimulate the growth of the beneficial bacteria, Bifidobacteria spp and Lactobacillus spp. (Sghir et al., 1998). Modifying the environment of the gastrointestinal tract by increasing fermentable fiber, such as FOS, has promoted growth of resident gut microbes by increasing the amount of short-chain fatty acids, preventing the colonization of Clostridium difficile (May et al., 1994). In addition, Webb et al. (1992) observed greater weight gains by adding a combination of fructooligosaccharide, sodium diacetate, and decoquinate into milk replacer compared with supplementing milk replacer with sodium diacetate and decoquinate alone. The objective of the current study was to compare the effects of a combination of allicin and a combination of fructooligosaccharides and probiotics to conventional dietary antibiotics in milk replacer on the growth and health of dairy calves. MATERIALS AND METHODS Calves and Feed Management Forty-five (23 male and 22 female) Holstein calves were selected from the South Dakota State University Dairy Research Center to determine the effects of milk replacer (Land O’ Lakes, Fort Dodge, IA) containing Enteroguard (MRE, a blend of FOS, allicin, and probioitcs, 129 mg/kg of milk replacer (n = 23) or antibiotics (MRA, 138 mg/kg of oxytetracycline and 276 mg/kg of neomycin base from neomycin sulfate; n = 22) on weight gain and incidence of scours. Calves were paired by gender and birth weight in a randomized block design. The experiment was conducted according to South Dakota State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee guidelines. The experiment was conducted in two segments. The first (winter) was conducted from January 29 through April 21, 1998 and the second (summer) from May 9 through August 28, 1998. Calves were fed 2.4 L of fresh colostrum from the dam or previously frozen colostrum within 2 h after birth and again after 12 h. Frozen colostrum was thawed by placing in warm tap water not exceeding 43.4°C. Colostrometer readings (adjusted for temperature) were recorded before feeding (Mechor et al., 1992). The antibody concentrations of colostrum fed to calves did not differ between the two treatments and averaged 62 mg/ml. Calves were removed from dam within 6 h after birth, weighed, and housed in individual fiberglass Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 85, No. 4, 2002
Table 1. Nutrient composition of experimental milk replacers, calf starter, and additives.1 Item CP, % Fat, % Crude fiber, % ADF, % Calcium, % Phosphorous, % Selenium, % Vitamin A, IU/kg Vitamin D, IU/kg Vitamin E, IU/kg Oxytetracycline, mg/kg Neomycin base, mg/kg Enteroguard, mg/kg Lasalocid, mg/kg
MRA2
MRE3
22.0 20.0 ... ...
22.0 20.0 ... ...
0.75 0.70 ... 44,000 11,000 220 138 276 ... ...
0.75 0.70 ... 44,000 11,000 220 ... ... 129 ...
Starter4 16.0 2.0 23.5 28.5 0.8 0.8 0.3 4545 905 12 ... ... ... 33
1
All values are expressed on a DM basis. MRA = Milk replacer containing antibiotics. 3 MRE = Milk replacer containing Enteroguard. 4 Starter = Land O’ Lakes, Fort Dodge, IA. 2
hutches bedded with straw for the duration of the 35d period in which calves were fed supplemented milk replacers. After the two initial feedings of colostrum, each calf was fed 0.23 kg of dry milk replacer in 2.25 L of water at each feeding (0600 and 1800 h ) daily for the first 4 wk, except for a 7-d period from February 2 to February 9 when 325 g/d was fed, because of cold environmental temperatures (< −10°C). Water was available ad libitum beginning at 3 d of age. To allow a direct comparison between MRA and MRE without the influence of the starter, dry starter feed (Land O’ Lakes) was available to each calf beginning at 3 wk of age. Nutrient composition of milk replacers, calf starter, and additives is listed in Table 1. Starter and milk replacer intakes were recorded daily throughout the trial. Beginning at 4 wk of age, calves were fed 0.23 kg of milk replacer in 2.25 L of water once daily for 1 wk and then weaned. Calves were weighed once weekly before feeding. Fecal scores based on a four-point scale were recorded at each feeding (Larson et al., 1977). Scores were established as: 1) normal-firm but not hard, 2) soft-does not hold form, 3) runny-spreads easily, and 4) devoid of solid matter. During the summer, weekly blood samples were collected from jugular veins of 13 calves from each treatment into evacuated tubes (Vacutainer; Becton Dickinson, Rutherford, NJ) approximately 3 h after the morning feeding and transported immediately to the laboratory. Serum was harvested from blood by centrifugation at 1171 × g for 20 min and analyzed for total protein content using a refractometer (TS Meter, American Optical, Scientific Instrument Division, Buffalo, NY).
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CALF PERFORMANCE AND PROBIOTICS
Data were analyzed as repeated measures using mixed model procedures of SAS (1996). Birth weight, gender, week, and season were included in the model.
Table 2. Average daily gain by week of calves fed experimental milk replacers.1 Winter 2
Week
MRA
2 3 4 5
0.00 −0.06 0.23 0.50
MRE
Summer 3
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Mean weekly values for serum protein ranged from 5.1 to 5.9 mg/dl. The mean serum protein levels for calves were not different for MRA or MRE. Serum protein has been shown to differ with colostrum quality, as demonstrated by Nocek et al. (1984). Data from trials conducted by Nocek (1984) and Koiwa (1990) are similar to those presented in this trial. Fecal scores were not different between calves fed MRA or MRE (1.8 vs. 1.9, P = 0.92). Also, no differences were observed between treatments for frequency of electrolyte therapy required over the 5-wk trial (five per calf, P = 0.23). The overall incidence of scours, evaluated as the number of days during the trial with fecal scores >2, was 6.7 d/calf. Of that, a total of 6.2 d (46.5%) were in calves receiving MRA, and 7.2 d (53.5%) were in calves receiving MRE (P = 0.08). In a similar study, Quigley et al. (1997) reported that scours occurred at a rate of 68%. The difference in the occurrence of scours between the trials was likely attributable to inclusion of scores of 2 in the Quigley trial. A fecal score of 2 was considered to be normal in our experiment. After including scores of 2, the rate of scours averaged 54% in the present study. Intakes of dry starter averaged 0.22 kg/d and were not different between calves fed MRA or MRE (P = 0.28). Total weight gains averaged 5.98 kg for calves fed MRA and 4.97 kg for calves fed MRE and were not different between treatments (P = 0.53). Likewise, final weaning weights were not different (49.8 vs. 48.9 kg for MRA and MRE, respectively, P = 0.53). During the second week of the experiment, average daily gains of calves fed MRE tended to be greater than MRA (0.09 vs. 0.07 kg/d), but during wk 5, gain of calves fed MRA tended to be greater for calves fed MRE (0.62 vs. 0.51 kg/d, P = 0.09 for treatment × week interaction, Table 2). Average daily gains for the 35-d trial were 0.17 kg/d for calves fed MRA and 0.14 kg/d for calves fed MRE, and were not different (P = 0.48). Gains in this trial were similar to those reported by Quigley et al. (1997). Seasonal effects were observed on weight gains in this experiment (Table 2). In the current study, all calves were fed 0.45 kg/d of milk replacer in water regardless of birth weight or gains. Schingoethe et al. (1986) recommended feeding milk replacers at 10% of birth weight, and suggested that 0.56 kg of solids is required for optimal growth and health during colder weather conditions.
0.02 −0.06 0.11 0.57
MRA
MRE
SEM4
kg/d 0.13 0.05 0.11 0.74
0.16 0.07 0.21 0.46
0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10
Effect in model includes treatment × week interaction (P < 0.10). MRA = Milk replacer containing antibiotics. 3 MRE = Milk replacer containing Enteroguard. 4 SEM = Standard error of the treatment means. 1 2
Likewise, feed efficiencies (kg DM of milk replacer and starter/kg of BW gain) were greater during the summer portion of this trial than during winter (0.25 vs. 0.13 kg of gain/kg of feed, P = 0.04, Figure 1), but were not affected by treatment. The greater feed efficiency in summer was probably attributable to lower maintenance requirements during warmer weather. Other effects on feed efficiency include season × week interactions (P = 0.005) and treatment × week interactions (P = 0.06), similar to effects on daily gain. CONCLUSION This experiment provides evidence that growth and performance of calves receiving probiotics, allicin, and fructooligosaccharides as Enteroguard are equivalent to those of calves fed antibiotics during the first 5 wk of life. These functional foods for preweaned calves may be viable substitutes for antibiotic use without decreasing overall performance.
Figure 1. Feed efficiencies of calves fed milk replacer containing antibiotics (MRA) or Enteroguard (MRE) during winter and summer. Effects in model include season (P = 0.04). Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 85, No. 4, 2002
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors gratefully acknowledge David J. Hurley, David J. Schingoethe, and Kenneth Kalscheur for their careful and insightful review of this manuscript, and Timothy J. Wittig for statistical consultation. The authors also acknowledge Heidi Prezler, for calf care and feeding during the initial portion of this project. REFERENCES Abe, F., N. Ishibashi, and S. Shimamura. 1995. Effect of administration of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria to newborn calves and piglets. J. Dairy Sci. 78:2838–2846. Amabile-Cuevas, C., M. Cardenas-Garcia, and M. Ludgar. 1995. Antibiotic Resistance. Am. Sci. 83:320–329. Cavallito, C., and J. Bailey. 1944. Allicin, the antibacterial principle of Allium sativum. Isolation, physical properties and antibacterial action. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 66:1950–1951. Davis, L. E., J. Shen, and Y. Cai. 1990. Antifungal activity in human cerebrospinal fluid and plasma after intravenous administration of Allium sativum. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 34:651–653. Fuller, R. 1989. Probiotics in man and animals. J. Appl. Bacteriol. 66:365–378. Garthwaite, B. D., J. K. Drackley, G. C. McCoy, and E. H. Jaster. 1994. Whole milk and oral rehydration solution for calves with diarrhea of spontaneous origin. J. Dairy Sci. 77:835– 843. Koiwa, M., A. Hatsugaya, T. Abe, and S. Minami. 1990. Therapeutic effects of electrolyte solution with oil emulsion on serious diarrhea in Holstein calves. Jpn. J. Vet. Sci. 52:639–641. Larson, L. L., F. G. Owen, J. L. Albright, R. D. Appleman, R. C. Lamb, and L. D. Muller. 1977. Guidelines toward uniformity in measuring and reporting calf experimental data. J. Dairy Sci. 60: 989–991. May, T., R. I. Mackie, G. C. Fahey, J. C. Cremin, and K. A. Garleb. 1994. Effect of fiber source on short-chain fatty acid production on growth and toxin production by Cl. difficile. Scand. J. Gastroenterol. 29:916–922.
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Mechor, G. D., Y. T. Grohn, L. R. McDowell, and R. J. Van Saun. 1992. Specific gravity of bovine colostrum immunoglobulins as affected by temperature and colostrum components. J. Dairy Sci. 75:3131–3135. Morrill, J. L., A. D. Dayton, and R. Mickelson. 1977. Cultured milk and antibiotics for young calves. J. Dairy Sci. 60:1105–1109. Morrill, J. L., J. M. Morrill, A. M. Feyerham, and J. F. Laster. 1995. Plasma protein and probiotics as ingredients in milk replacer. J. Dairy Sci. 78:902–907. Nocek, J. E., D. G. Braund, and R. G. Warner. 1984. Influence of neonatal colostrum administration, immunoglobulin, and continued feeding of colostrum on calf gain, health, and serum protein. J. Dairy Sci. 67:319–333. Olson, E. J. , W. B. Epperson, D. H. Zeman, R. Fayer, and M. B. Hildreth. 1998. Effects of an allicin-based product on cryptosporidiosis in neonatal calves. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 212:987–989. Quigley, J. D., J. J. Drewry, L. M. Murray, and S. J. Ivey. 1997. Body weight gain, feed efficiency, and fecal scores of dairy calves in response to galactosyl-lactose or antibiotics in milk replacers. J. Dairy Sci. 80:1751–1754. Rabinkov, A., T. Miron, L. Konstantinovski, M. Wilchek, D. Mirelman, and L. Weiner. 1998. The mode of action of allicin: trapping of radicals and interactions with thiol containing proteins. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1379:233–244. SAS. 1996. User’s Guide: Statistics, Version 6 Edition. SAS Inst., Cary, N.C. Schingoethe, D. J., D. P. Casper, J. K. Drackley, and F. C. Ludens. 1986. Increased solids intake and feeding frequency for calves in hutches during cold weather. J. Dairy Sci. 69:1063–1069. Sghir, A., J. Chow, and R. Mackie. 1998. Continuous culture selection of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli from human fecel samples using fructooligosaccharide as a selective substrate. J. Appl. Microbiol. 85:769–777. Webb, P. R., D. W. Kellogg, M.W. McGahee, and Z. B. Johnson. 1992. Addition of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and sodium diacetate (SD) plus decoquinate (D) to milk replacer and starter grain fed to Holstein calves. J. Dairy Sci. 75:293. (Abstr.) Weber, N., D. Anderson, J. North, B. K. Murray, L. D. Lawson, and B.G. Hughes. 1992. In vitro virucidal effects of Allium sativum (garlic) extract and compounds. Planta Med. 58:417–423.
Growth and Health of Holstein Calves Fed Milk Replacers Supplemented with Antibiotics or Enteroguard1,2 D. C. Donovan,*3 S. T. Franklin,° C. C. L. Chase,*4 and A. R. Hippen*3 *South Dakota State University, Brookings 57007-0647 °Department of Animal Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40456-0215
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
Forty-five Holstein calves were fed milk replacers containing either antibiotics [MRA (oxytetracycline at 138 mg/kg and neomycin at 276 mg/kg), n = 22)] or Enteroguard [MRE, a blend of fructooligosaccharides, allicin, and gut-active microbes at (129 mg/kg, n = 23)] from birth to 5 wk of age to compare effects on average daily gain and on incidence of scours. Performance was evaluated by measuring weight gain, feed efficiency, and fecal scores. The overall body weight gains and severity of scours were not different between treatments, nor were there differences in starter intake or mean body weight gain. During wk 2, the average gain of calves fed MRA was less than that of calves fed MRE (0.07 vs. 0.09 kg/d, P = 0.09), and greater during wk 5 (0.62 vs. 0.51 kg/d, P < 0.01); however, total gain for calves fed MRE was not different from calves fed MRA. Likewise, average feed efficiencies (gain/dry matter intake) were not different. Severity of scours, as measured by fecal scores, and concentrations of serum proteins, an indirect measure of immunoglobulins, were similar for calves fed MRA and MRE. The results suggest that antibiotics in milk replacers can be replaced with compounds such as fructooligosaccharides, probiotics, and allicin to obtain similar calf performance. (Key words: calf, milk replacer, probiotics, antibiotics)
Before weaning, dairy calves are susceptible to many pathogens. Investigators have reported benefits from adding antibiotics to the feed of young calves. These benefits include increased average daily gains, improved feed consumption, and enhanced phagocytic efficiency. Additional benefits such as decreased incidence of scours, lower calf mortality, and decreased protein requirements have also been observed (Morrill et al., 1977; Morrill et al., 1995). The use of antibiotics in food production is a political issue and antibiotic resistance is an emerging public health concern. According to Amabile-Cuevas (1995), overuse of antibiotics exerts selective pressure which renders antibiotics ineffective in controlling bacterial diseases. Milk replacers containing antiobiotics are not effective at controlling protozoan or viral diarrhea (Olson et al., 1998). In an effort to eliminate antibiotics from animal feeds, many additives have been proposed for addition to milk replacers. Components such as probiotics, allicin, and oligosaccharides have shown promise to date. Probiotics are generally defined as “a live microbial feed supplement which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance” (Fuller, 1989). The addition of probiotics, in particular, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, to the diets of preweaned calves was demonstrated to increase BW gain and decrease incidence of scours (Abe et al., 1995). Fungal and viral diseases are inhibited by allicin (Davis et al., 1990; Weber et al., 1990). Allicin (thio-2propene-1-sulfinic acid S-allyl ester), a component of garlic, inhibits growth of bacteria by binding to the enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase and pathogenic microorganisms such as Thermoanerobium brockii. (Cavallito et al., 1944; Rabinkov et al., 1998). Allicin reacts rapidly with thiol proteins and has antioxidant effects. Because of these antimicrobial effects, allicin has been suggested as a control for Cryptosporidium spp. (1994). Garthwaite et al. (1994) reported that Cryptosporidium was the most common organism isolated from calf diar-
Abbreviation key: FOS = fructooligosaccharides,MRA = milk replacer containing antibiotics, MRE = milk replacer containing Enteroguard.
Received July 9, 2001. Accepted November 27, 2001. Corresponding author: A. R. Hippen; e-mail:arnold_hippen@ sdstate.edu. 1 Published with the approval of director of the South Dakota State University Agricultural Experiment Station as Publication Number 3228 of the Journal Series and with approval of the director of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station as Publication Number 01-07-14. 2 Funded by Pharmax Biologicals, Des Moines, IA 3 Department of Dairy Science 4 Department of Veterinary Science
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rhea on 1 and 3 d after birth; however, a clinical trial indicated that administration of allicin failed to alter the clinical course of Cryptosporidium parvum after inoculation (Olson et al., 1998). Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a family of oligosaccharides consisting of several β-(1-2) or β-(1-6)-linked fructose residues, act as selective substrates that appear to stimulate the growth of the beneficial bacteria, Bifidobacteria spp and Lactobacillus spp. (Sghir et al., 1998). Modifying the environment of the gastrointestinal tract by increasing fermentable fiber, such as FOS, has promoted growth of resident gut microbes by increasing the amount of short-chain fatty acids, preventing the colonization of Clostridium difficile (May et al., 1994). In addition, Webb et al. (1992) observed greater weight gains by adding a combination of fructooligosaccharide, sodium diacetate, and decoquinate into milk replacer compared with supplementing milk replacer with sodium diacetate and decoquinate alone. The objective of the current study was to compare the effects of a combination of allicin and a combination of fructooligosaccharides and probiotics to conventional dietary antibiotics in milk replacer on the growth and health of dairy calves. MATERIALS AND METHODS Calves and Feed Management Forty-five (23 male and 22 female) Holstein calves were selected from the South Dakota State University Dairy Research Center to determine the effects of milk replacer (Land O’ Lakes, Fort Dodge, IA) containing Enteroguard (MRE, a blend of FOS, allicin, and probioitcs, 129 mg/kg of milk replacer (n = 23) or antibiotics (MRA, 138 mg/kg of oxytetracycline and 276 mg/kg of neomycin base from neomycin sulfate; n = 22) on weight gain and incidence of scours. Calves were paired by gender and birth weight in a randomized block design. The experiment was conducted according to South Dakota State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee guidelines. The experiment was conducted in two segments. The first (winter) was conducted from January 29 through April 21, 1998 and the second (summer) from May 9 through August 28, 1998. Calves were fed 2.4 L of fresh colostrum from the dam or previously frozen colostrum within 2 h after birth and again after 12 h. Frozen colostrum was thawed by placing in warm tap water not exceeding 43.4°C. Colostrometer readings (adjusted for temperature) were recorded before feeding (Mechor et al., 1992). The antibody concentrations of colostrum fed to calves did not differ between the two treatments and averaged 62 mg/ml. Calves were removed from dam within 6 h after birth, weighed, and housed in individual fiberglass Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 85, No. 4, 2002
Table 1. Nutrient composition of experimental milk replacers, calf starter, and additives.1 Item CP, % Fat, % Crude fiber, % ADF, % Calcium, % Phosphorous, % Selenium, % Vitamin A, IU/kg Vitamin D, IU/kg Vitamin E, IU/kg Oxytetracycline, mg/kg Neomycin base, mg/kg Enteroguard, mg/kg Lasalocid, mg/kg
MRA2
MRE3
22.0 20.0 ... ...
22.0 20.0 ... ...
0.75 0.70 ... 44,000 11,000 220 138 276 ... ...
0.75 0.70 ... 44,000 11,000 220 ... ... 129 ...
Starter4 16.0 2.0 23.5 28.5 0.8 0.8 0.3 4545 905 12 ... ... ... 33
1
All values are expressed on a DM basis. MRA = Milk replacer containing antibiotics. 3 MRE = Milk replacer containing Enteroguard. 4 Starter = Land O’ Lakes, Fort Dodge, IA. 2
hutches bedded with straw for the duration of the 35d period in which calves were fed supplemented milk replacers. After the two initial feedings of colostrum, each calf was fed 0.23 kg of dry milk replacer in 2.25 L of water at each feeding (0600 and 1800 h ) daily for the first 4 wk, except for a 7-d period from February 2 to February 9 when 325 g/d was fed, because of cold environmental temperatures (< −10°C). Water was available ad libitum beginning at 3 d of age. To allow a direct comparison between MRA and MRE without the influence of the starter, dry starter feed (Land O’ Lakes) was available to each calf beginning at 3 wk of age. Nutrient composition of milk replacers, calf starter, and additives is listed in Table 1. Starter and milk replacer intakes were recorded daily throughout the trial. Beginning at 4 wk of age, calves were fed 0.23 kg of milk replacer in 2.25 L of water once daily for 1 wk and then weaned. Calves were weighed once weekly before feeding. Fecal scores based on a four-point scale were recorded at each feeding (Larson et al., 1977). Scores were established as: 1) normal-firm but not hard, 2) soft-does not hold form, 3) runny-spreads easily, and 4) devoid of solid matter. During the summer, weekly blood samples were collected from jugular veins of 13 calves from each treatment into evacuated tubes (Vacutainer; Becton Dickinson, Rutherford, NJ) approximately 3 h after the morning feeding and transported immediately to the laboratory. Serum was harvested from blood by centrifugation at 1171 × g for 20 min and analyzed for total protein content using a refractometer (TS Meter, American Optical, Scientific Instrument Division, Buffalo, NY).
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Data were analyzed as repeated measures using mixed model procedures of SAS (1996). Birth weight, gender, week, and season were included in the model.
Table 2. Average daily gain by week of calves fed experimental milk replacers.1 Winter 2
Week
MRA
2 3 4 5
0.00 −0.06 0.23 0.50
MRE
Summer 3
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Mean weekly values for serum protein ranged from 5.1 to 5.9 mg/dl. The mean serum protein levels for calves were not different for MRA or MRE. Serum protein has been shown to differ with colostrum quality, as demonstrated by Nocek et al. (1984). Data from trials conducted by Nocek (1984) and Koiwa (1990) are similar to those presented in this trial. Fecal scores were not different between calves fed MRA or MRE (1.8 vs. 1.9, P = 0.92). Also, no differences were observed between treatments for frequency of electrolyte therapy required over the 5-wk trial (five per calf, P = 0.23). The overall incidence of scours, evaluated as the number of days during the trial with fecal scores >2, was 6.7 d/calf. Of that, a total of 6.2 d (46.5%) were in calves receiving MRA, and 7.2 d (53.5%) were in calves receiving MRE (P = 0.08). In a similar study, Quigley et al. (1997) reported that scours occurred at a rate of 68%. The difference in the occurrence of scours between the trials was likely attributable to inclusion of scores of 2 in the Quigley trial. A fecal score of 2 was considered to be normal in our experiment. After including scores of 2, the rate of scours averaged 54% in the present study. Intakes of dry starter averaged 0.22 kg/d and were not different between calves fed MRA or MRE (P = 0.28). Total weight gains averaged 5.98 kg for calves fed MRA and 4.97 kg for calves fed MRE and were not different between treatments (P = 0.53). Likewise, final weaning weights were not different (49.8 vs. 48.9 kg for MRA and MRE, respectively, P = 0.53). During the second week of the experiment, average daily gains of calves fed MRE tended to be greater than MRA (0.09 vs. 0.07 kg/d), but during wk 5, gain of calves fed MRA tended to be greater for calves fed MRE (0.62 vs. 0.51 kg/d, P = 0.09 for treatment × week interaction, Table 2). Average daily gains for the 35-d trial were 0.17 kg/d for calves fed MRA and 0.14 kg/d for calves fed MRE, and were not different (P = 0.48). Gains in this trial were similar to those reported by Quigley et al. (1997). Seasonal effects were observed on weight gains in this experiment (Table 2). In the current study, all calves were fed 0.45 kg/d of milk replacer in water regardless of birth weight or gains. Schingoethe et al. (1986) recommended feeding milk replacers at 10% of birth weight, and suggested that 0.56 kg of solids is required for optimal growth and health during colder weather conditions.
0.02 −0.06 0.11 0.57
MRA
MRE
SEM4
kg/d 0.13 0.05 0.11 0.74
0.16 0.07 0.21 0.46
0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10
Effect in model includes treatment × week interaction (P < 0.10). MRA = Milk replacer containing antibiotics. 3 MRE = Milk replacer containing Enteroguard. 4 SEM = Standard error of the treatment means. 1 2
Likewise, feed efficiencies (kg DM of milk replacer and starter/kg of BW gain) were greater during the summer portion of this trial than during winter (0.25 vs. 0.13 kg of gain/kg of feed, P = 0.04, Figure 1), but were not affected by treatment. The greater feed efficiency in summer was probably attributable to lower maintenance requirements during warmer weather. Other effects on feed efficiency include season × week interactions (P = 0.005) and treatment × week interactions (P = 0.06), similar to effects on daily gain. CONCLUSION This experiment provides evidence that growth and performance of calves receiving probiotics, allicin, and fructooligosaccharides as Enteroguard are equivalent to those of calves fed antibiotics during the first 5 wk of life. These functional foods for preweaned calves may be viable substitutes for antibiotic use without decreasing overall performance.
Figure 1. Feed efficiencies of calves fed milk replacer containing antibiotics (MRA) or Enteroguard (MRE) during winter and summer. Effects in model include season (P = 0.04). Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 85, No. 4, 2002
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors gratefully acknowledge David J. Hurley, David J. Schingoethe, and Kenneth Kalscheur for their careful and insightful review of this manuscript, and Timothy J. Wittig for statistical consultation. The authors also acknowledge Heidi Prezler, for calf care and feeding during the initial portion of this project. REFERENCES Abe, F., N. Ishibashi, and S. Shimamura. 1995. Effect of administration of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria to newborn calves and piglets. J. Dairy Sci. 78:2838–2846. Amabile-Cuevas, C., M. Cardenas-Garcia, and M. Ludgar. 1995. Antibiotic Resistance. Am. Sci. 83:320–329. Cavallito, C., and J. Bailey. 1944. Allicin, the antibacterial principle of Allium sativum. Isolation, physical properties and antibacterial action. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 66:1950–1951. Davis, L. E., J. Shen, and Y. Cai. 1990. Antifungal activity in human cerebrospinal fluid and plasma after intravenous administration of Allium sativum. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 34:651–653. Fuller, R. 1989. Probiotics in man and animals. J. Appl. Bacteriol. 66:365–378. Garthwaite, B. D., J. K. Drackley, G. C. McCoy, and E. H. Jaster. 1994. Whole milk and oral rehydration solution for calves with diarrhea of spontaneous origin. J. Dairy Sci. 77:835– 843. Koiwa, M., A. Hatsugaya, T. Abe, and S. Minami. 1990. Therapeutic effects of electrolyte solution with oil emulsion on serious diarrhea in Holstein calves. Jpn. J. Vet. Sci. 52:639–641. Larson, L. L., F. G. Owen, J. L. Albright, R. D. Appleman, R. C. Lamb, and L. D. Muller. 1977. Guidelines toward uniformity in measuring and reporting calf experimental data. J. Dairy Sci. 60: 989–991. May, T., R. I. Mackie, G. C. Fahey, J. C. Cremin, and K. A. Garleb. 1994. Effect of fiber source on short-chain fatty acid production on growth and toxin production by Cl. difficile. Scand. J. Gastroenterol. 29:916–922.
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