Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplying ruminally-protected lysine (RPL), methionine (RPM), or the two in combination (RPML) to transition dairy cows on the immunity and performance of their offspring. Eighty heifer calves (n = 20 calves per group) were assigned to four treatments based on their dam diet; basal diet (CON), a basal diet with lysine [RPL, 0.33% of dry matter (DM)], a basal diet with methionine (RPM, 0.16% DM), or with the combination (RPML). Calves were fed colostrum from their dams within 2 h of birth. Calves were then fed milk only (d 2–22), a combination of milk and milk replacer (d 23–25), and milk replacer (d 25–60). Starter feed was fed to the calves twice daily after liquid feeding. Calves blood samples were collected after calving on 0, 12, 24, and 48 h and 5 and 7 d after birth. Data were analyzed by SAS software v9.4. Providing ruminally-protected amino acids (RPAA) to transition cows improved colostrum quality compared to the CON (Brix; P < 0.01). Serum total protein concentrations were higher in calves from supplemented cows than in calves from unsupplemented cows (P < 0.01). Calves born to dams in the RPM, RPL, and RPML groups had higher plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations 0, 12, 24, and 48 h and 7 d after birth than those born to dams in the CON group (P < 0.05). The percentage of calves with adequate passive immunity transfer was increased with RPM and RPL or the two in combination (P < 0.01). However, there was no difference in the percentage of calves with adequate passive immunity transfer between the RPM and RPL groups (P = 0.21). Calves from cows that receive supplemental RPAA have a greater average daily gain (ADG) than those born to cows in the CON group (P < 0.01). These results indicate that maternal supplementation with RPM or RPL or the two in combination during the periparturient period could be an alternative strategy to improve the performance of calves, especially in accelerated growth programs in calves.
Highlights
The transition period is a critical time when significant metabolic, physiological, and immunological changes occur for cows [1], as well as for their offspring [2]
There was no difference in colostrum quality between cows in the ruminally protected Met (RPM) and ruminally-protected lysine (RPL) treatment groups (P > 0.10)
There was a significant effect of the maternal supply of amino acids (AAs) on plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations at birth (P < 0.05), with calves born to cows fed ruminally-protected amino acids (RPAA) having greater plasma IgG concentrations than calves born to cows in the CON group
Summary
The transition period is a critical time when significant metabolic, physiological, and immunological changes occur for cows [1], as well as for their offspring [2]. Methionine (Met) and lysine (Lys) are considered limiting amino acids (AAs) in many lactating cow diets [5,6,7], and this applies to calf diets [8]. Colostrum management is very important, as neonatal calves are incapable of mounting an efficient and successful immune response at birth [15]. Failed passive transfer (FPT) is a common problem in newborn calves [18], causing increased mortality, diarrhea, respiratory diseases, and septicemia in young calves [19,20,21], and even decreasing their first lactation milk yield [22, 23]. Ensuring access to sufficient high-quality colostrum during the first few hours of life is essential to guarantee the adequate transfer of passive immunity to young calves
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