Xylitol, polyol molasses and glucose in the diet of newborn calves: I. Effect on growth and some blood values

Abstract

In a feeding trial with 18 calves, three carbohydrate additions were compared in a liquid milk replacer diet: glucose, xylitol and polyol molasses (PM). The average consumption of substrates was 41, 42 and 48 g dry matter of glucose, xylitol or polyol molasses per day. After one week of colostrum and whole milk feeding, liquid milk replacer was given 12 % of live weight. The trial lasted to the age of 5 weeks. Daily live weight gain was 452, 479 and 425 g in the glucose, xylitol and PM groups(n.s.), respectively. Intake of concentrates was greater in female than male calves (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the feed conversion rate between the groups: 1.83, 1.88 and 1.98 kg dry matter/kg live weight gain in the glucose, xylitol and PM groups, respectively. Venous blood samples were taken before the first feeding after birth, then 1, 2, and 4 days, and 1, 3 and 5 weeks after birth. Haemoglobin and haematocrit were higher in the glucose than in the xylitol and PM groups, and higher in female than male calves (P < 0.05). There were no differences between the groups in plasma glucose, calcium or magnesium contents. Plasma urea-N was lower in the xylitol than in the glucose group (P < 0.05). Plasma inorganic phosphorus was higher in the xylitol than in the glucose group on week one and three after birth, the difference being significant at 3 weeks of age (P < 0.05).