Morphological and Volumetric Characteristics of Holstein-Gir Crossbred Calves’ Stomachs Fed Diets Comprising Cheese Whey and Milk Powder

Maria Vivianne F G De Miranda,Andrezza K B De Moura,Jose Domingues F Neto,Helia Maria De S Leite,Patricia De O Lima,Tiago Da S Teofilo,Vitor Lucas De L Melo,Ana Paula P De Assis

doi:10.5539/jsd.v14n2p179

Maria Vivianne F G De Miranda, Andrezza K B De Moura + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/jsd.v14n2p179

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of powdered cheese whey and milk powder as a substitute for whole milk on rumen development in calves up to 60 days of age. Twenty-one-week-old Holstein-Gir crossbred calves were randomized across four treatments and six replicates: LI: whole milk (Control); LP: milk powder; LPS1: 80% milk powder + 20% cheese whey powder; LPS2: 60% Milk Powder + 40% Cheese Whey Powder. The animals were slaughtered at 60 days of age. The consumption, weight of stomach and its compartments, ruminal papilla height, and rumen proliferative activity were measured. Dry matter intake, absolute and relative weights of the gastric compartments were similar. Significant differences were found in the development of rumen papillae and the mean height of the ventral sac was higher in the animals that received whole milk. There were no significant differences for cell proliferation rate in rumen papillae. It is suggested that feeding calves whey with powdered milk may be a viable alternative to the use of whole milk without harming dairy calves.

Highlights

When ruminants are born, they have a small and nonfunctional aglandular portion of the stomach, being considered physiologically non-ruminant, and the rapid development of these compartments is associated with the diet type at the rearing phase (Khan et al al., 2016)
The major developmental changes occur in rumen after colonization by different types of microorganisms and development of the inner wall (Carvalho et al, 2003)
Food is fermented by the established facultative anaerobic or aerobic microorganisms, that supply necessary nutrients in the form of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) (Kamra, 2005)

Summary

Introduction

They have a small and nonfunctional aglandular portion of the stomach (rumen, reticulum, and omaso), being considered physiologically non-ruminant, and the rapid development of these compartments is associated with the diet type at the rearing phase (Khan et al al., 2016). The major developmental changes occur in rumen after colonization by different types of microorganisms and development of the inner wall (papillae) (Carvalho et al, 2003). The development of rumen in calves can directly affect the intake of feed, nutrient digestibility and overall growth. Even minor changes in the early feeding regime and nutrition can drastically influence rumen development, resulting in long-term effects on growth, health, and milk yields in adult cattle (Diao et al, 2019)

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