Prepartum supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaf meal: Effects on health of the dam, colostrum quality, and acquisition of immunity in the calf

Abstract

Influence of supplementing Moringa olifeira leaf meal (MOLM) to Holstein cows on (1) colostrum yield and quality and (2) immunoglobulin (IgG) absorption in dairy calves during the colostrum stage was evaluated in the study. Thirty-two pregnant Holstein cows were blocked by weight and expected day of calving and randomly assigned to one of 2 treatments during a 6-wk dry period: (1) no additive (CON) or (2) 16.66 g of MOLM/100 kg of body weight (MOLM). Cows were dosed daily from d -35 to 0 relative to calving. All cows received a dry period total mixed ration (TMR). At calving, calves were weighed immediately after birth and blood was sampled before receiving colostrum from their respective dams. Calves received their first colostrum meal within 2.5 h of birth. Calves received their first and second feedings of colostrum from the first-harvest colostrum. Cows' blood was sampled to determine IgG, whereas calves were blood sampled to determine the IgG, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, and malondialdehyde. Colostrum composition (protein, fat, lactose, total solids, ash, and metabolizable energy) was also determined. The results of the study showed that MOLM did not affect dry matter intake in dams, body weight change, body condition score, colostrum yield, or calf birth weight. The colostrum harvested from MOLM-fed cows was higher in composition (fat, protein lactose, and total solids). Colostrum IgG was greater from cows that received MOLM compared with control from all 6 colostrum harvests. Calves born to MOLM-fed cows were characterized by higher blood glucose whereas lipid peroxidation (nonesterified fatty acids and malondialdehyde) was greatly reduced. Although the level of 16.6 g of MOLM/100 kg of BW did not affect the dam's body weight, calf birth weight and colostrum yield, higher quality colostrum, and higher IgG absorption in newborn calves could be achieved when that MOLM level is supplemented to dairy cows as late as 5 wk prepartum. The increased glucose with reduced lipid peroxidation after receiving maternal MOLM suggests that MOLM can be used as a feed additive not only to improve dams' immunity but to also improve health in early days of life in dairy calf.