Abstract
Simple SummaryThe objective of this review is to give the reader an overview of interactions between immunity, growth and puberty in calves and highlight how these influence future performances. The risk of morbidity and mortality is high during the first four weeks of age. Adaption to extra-uterine life starts early during embryonic development and is underpinned by optimal maternal nutrition. It is known that colostrum is paramount to neonate nutrition and passive immunity. Good colostrum management allows the calf to develop coping mechanisms to efficiently utilize feed resources for optimal growth. A deeper understanding of these interactions paves the way for developing strategies to improve immune responses to environmental pathogens, optimal growth and timely attainment of puberty in calves. The literature reviewed here shows that there are opportunities to enhance future performance of cattle paying attention to the interaction of nutrition and immunity at early developmental stages. This then guarantees efficient neonate nutrition and profitable cattle production.Calf immunity, growth and puberty are important factors affecting heifer productivity. The first four weeks of age are critical for reducing calf morbidity and mortality. It is well documented that colostrum is paramount to neonatal nutrition and passive immunity, however, adaptation to extra-uterine life starts early during embryonic development. Therefore, successful calf rearing strategies are underpinned by adequate maternal nutrition during gestation, and good colostrum management. A deeper understanding of these interactions paves the way for developing strategies to improve immune responses to environmental pathogens, optimal growth and timely attainment of puberty in calves. The literature reviewed here shows that there are opportunities to enhance the future performance of cattle paying attention to the interaction of nutrition and immunity at each developmental stage. Therefore, the objective of this review is to give the reader an overview of interactions between immunity, growth and puberty in dairy calves and highlight how these influence future performances.
Highlights
IntroductionGrowth and puberty are critical factors influencing productivity of heifers
Maternal metabolic adjustment to promote foetal development and growth occurs through two pathways: one represented by nutritional partitioning, and the other by increased placental development leading to improved nutrient transfer and hormonal production
Absorption of colostrum Insulin growth factors (IGFs) and growth hormone (GH) is facilitated by the low gastric acidity and almost no proteolytic digestion activity during the first hours after birth that allows growth factors to reach the intestine undigested
Summary
Growth and puberty are critical factors influencing productivity of heifers. Considering the interactions between these vital physiological processes has become important to optimize calf survival. Colostrum transfers immune molecules [2,3] which, in case of failure, causes increased susceptibility to infections that lowers survival [4,5]. Acquiring growth factors improves calf immunity because these factors modulate development and differentiation in-utero [8,9] as well as after birth. Colostrum stimulates gastrointestinal development and function through the absorption of growth factors and other immune components [10]. A better understanding of the interrelationship of the factors involved in immune function, growth and reproduction is needed. The objective of this review is to discuss calf physiology and the interactions that enhance calf survival and to offer an insight into strategies adopted at these life stages to optimise production
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