Effect of a Probiotic Compound in Rumen Development, Diarrhea Incidence and Weight Gain in Young Holstein Calves

It has been proven that early establishment of microbial flora in digestive tract of ruminants, has a beneficial effect on their health condition and productivity. A probiotic compound, made from five bacteria isolated from adult bovine cattle, was dosed to 15 Holstein newborn calves in order to measure its capacity of improving body weight gain and reduce diarrhea incidence. The test was performed in the municipality of Cajicá (Colombia), at 2580 m.a.s.l., throughout rainy season, with environmental temperature that oscillated between 4 to 25 °C. Five calves were allotted to control (no addition of probiotic). Treatments 1, and 2 (5 calves per group) received 10 ml Probiotic mix 1 and 2, respectively. Probiotic mixes 1 and 2 where similar in microbial composition but different in production process. Probiotics were added to the morning milk and dosed on a daily basis by a month and then on a weekly basis for three additional months. Diarrhea incidence was measured by observance of number of animals affected in each group; each animal was weighed up on a daily basis for obtaining weight gain and rumen fluid samples were extracted with oro-esophageal catheter for determining level of fiber and grain consumption.

Authors:

• Camilo Aldana
• Sara Cabra
• Carlos A. Ospina
• Fredy Carvajal
• Fernando Rodríguez

Keywords:

• Calve
• diarrhea
• probiotic
• rumen microorganisms.

References:

[1] M. A. Khan, 1 H. J. Lee, 2 W. S. Lee, H. S. Kim, S. B. Kim, K. S. Ki, S.
J. Park, J. K. Ha, and Y. J. Choi. 2007. Starch Source Evaluation in Calf
Starter: I. Feed Consumption, Body Weight Gain, Structural Growth,
and Blood Metabolites in Holstein Calves. J. Dairy Sci. 90:5259-5268.
[2] C. L. Davis and J. K. Drackley. 1998. The Development, Nutrition and
Management of the Young Calf. Iowa State University Press, Ames, I.A.
[3] W. Bloom. 2006. Nutritional physiology of neonatal calves. Review
Article. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. 90, 1-2: 1-
11.
[4] S.I. Kehoe, C.D. Dechow, and A.J. Heinrichs. 2007. Effects of weaning
age and milk feeding frequency on dairy calf growth, health and rumen
parameter. Livestock Science 110 (2007) 267-272.
[5] G. Mejia, and O. Olimpo. 2004. Risk factors for morbidity and mortality
in calves during the first tours months of life in selected dairy herds in
the high altitude tropic in Colombia. Masters Tessi, Veterinary Medicine
Faculty, Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
[6] V. Apgar. A proposal for a new method of evaluation of the newborn
infant. Curr. Res. Anesth. Analg. 1953 Jul-Aug;32(4):260-7.
[7] T. G. Knowles, J. E. Edwards, K. J. Bazeley, S. N. Brown, A.
Butterworth, and R. D. Warriss. 2000. Changes in the blood biochemical
and haematological profile of neonatal calves with age Veterinary
Record (2000) 147, 593-598.
[8] H. A. Seifi, M. Mohri, E. Shoorei, and N. Farzaneh. 2006. Using
haematological and serum biochemical findings as prognostic indicators
in calf diarrhea. Comparative Clinical Pathology, 15, 3: 143-147
[9] NRC. 1989. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle. National Academy
Press, Washington, DC.
[10] J. L. Morrill, A. D. Dayton, A. J. Zmoleck, and M. A. Vitcenda. 1984.
Early weaning program for dairy calves examined. Feedstuffs 56:30.
[11] T. V. Muscato, L. O. Tedeschi, and J. B. Russell. The Effect of Ruminal
Fluid Preparations on the Growth and Healthof Newborn Milk-Fed
Dairy Calves. Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Research
Service, and Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca,
NY 14853.
[12] L. Anderson, T. G. Nagaraja, and J. L. Morrill Ruminal Metabolic
Development in Calves Weaned Conventionally or Early. I K
Department of Animal Sciences and Industry. Kansas State University.
Manhattan 66506.