Effect of supplementation fat during the last weeks of uterine life and preweaning time on performance, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, passive immunity and health of the newborn calf.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing essential fatty acids (FA), during late gestation and the preweaning and early weaning periods on passive immunity, growth, health, rumen fermentation parameters, blood metabolites, and behavior of dairy calves. During the last 3 weeks of pregnancy, cattle (n = 120), within parity, were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 diets (DD) with different fat supplements, no supplemental fat (CON), supplement rich in C18:2n-6 (CSO), or supplement rich in eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid (CFO). Eighty-four newborn Holstein calves were randomly assigned, within the prepartum diets, to one of 2 calf starter (CS) diets: no fat supplement (FC-0) or 2% Ca-Salt of unsaturated FA (FC-2). Overall, the interaction between DD and CS did not affect calf performance and other measured parameters. Plasma concentrations of IgG and apparent efficiency of IgG absorption were improved (P < 0.01) in calves born from dams fed fat (n-6 or n-3) compared with those not fed fat. Calves born from cattle fed fat prepartum had greater average daily gain (ADG) compared with calves born from cattle fed no fat supplement prepartum (597 vs. 558 g/d, P = 0.02). Calves fed the FC-2 CS had greater (P < 0.01) ADG, feed efficiency, and weaning weight compared with those fed the FC-0 CS. Prepartum supplementation with fat reduced rectal temperature (RT) during pre-weaning time, but calves fed FC-2 CS had lower (P ≤ 0.04) RT during pre- and...
Source: The British Journal of Nutrition - Category: Nutrition Authors: Tags: Br J Nutr Source Type: research