Pre-weaned Calves Research Articles

Oregano extract fed to pre-weaned dairy calves. Part 1: Effects on intake, digestibility, body weight, and rumen and intestinal bacteria microbiota

Essential oils have become attractive candidates for use in the livestock industry, yet their mode of action over microbial populations of animals remains largely unknown. To gain further insight, this study investigated the bacterial population in segments of gastrointestinal tract and performance of pre-weaned dairy calves supplemented with a commercial Oregano extract containing essential oils. Ten Holstein calves weighing 37.1 kg ± 3.6 kg were fed 6 L/day of milk replacer, and had free access to water and calf starter ad libitum from the first day, and to hay ad libitum from the third week of the start of the study period. The calves were randomly assigned to two treatments: CON - without additive; and OR - 60 mg/kg body weight per day with oregano extract. Weaning occurred on the 53rd day of the experimental period and on the 54th day, all calves were euthanized, and their rumen, jejunum, cecum and colon contents were sampled to determinate bacterial population. The OR supplementation increased starter concentrate intake, but did not affect feed conversion, average daily gain (ADG), total VFA acetate, butyrate, and propionate ruminal concentrations, as well as C2 to C3 ratio. Apparent digestibility tended to increase in OR for DM, OM, NFCcp and CP. The alpha diversity analysis (Shannon index) indicated a higher diversity of rumen and jejunum bacterial population in OR calves. Oregano extract affected positively and negative the abundance of both positive and gram-negative bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, OR decreased potentially pathogenic genera such Streptococcus, Escherichia and Clostridium, albeit it also decreased the population of the potentially beneficial Bifidubacterium in the jejunum and cecum. Oregano extract supplemented to pre-weaned dairy calves modulates bacteria microbiota and may contribute to reduce pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

Effects of waste milk feeding on rumen fermentation and bacterial community of pre-weaned and post-weaned dairy calves.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of waste milk with antibiotic residue on rumen fermentation and rumen bacterial composition of dairy calves during pre-weaned and post-weaned periods. A total of 24 Holstein male calves (43.4 ± 0.93 kg body weight, mean ± standard error) were allocated into four blocks based on birth date. Dairy calves were supplied 100% milk replacer (MR, n = 8), 50% milk replacer mixed with 50% waste milk (MM, n = 8), or 100% waste milk (WM, n = 8). Ruminal samples were collected at 49 and 63 days of age and then subjected to determinations of pH value, volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results showed that feeding WM had no effect on the pH value, the concentrations of VFA (acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid), and NH3-N in dairy calves compared to feeding MR. However, from 49 to 63 days of age, the pH value (p < 0.001) was significantly increased, while the levels of total VFA (p = 0.004), acetic acid (p = 0.01), propionic acid (p = 0.003) and valeric acid (p < 0.001) were significantly decreased. For rumen microorganisms, there was no differences in bacterial diversity among the treatments. But the relative abundance of Veillonellaceae was significantly lower (p = 0.05) in the calves fed WM than that from MR group at 49 days of age; however, no difference was detected at 63 days of age. Feeding WM to calves tended to reduce family Veillonellaceae and genus Olsenella in the rumen at 49 days of age (p = 0.049). Analysis of temporal changes in rumen bacteria based on alpha-diversity and beta-diversity as well as the microbial relative abundances did not exhibit any difference. In addition, relative abundances of Clostridia_UCG-014, Prevotella, Syntrophococcus, Eubacterium_nodatum_group, Pseudoramibacter and Solobacterium were correlated with rumen pH value and the concentrations of TVFA, propionic acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid and NH3-N. In conclusion, compare to MR, calves supplied with WM had little changes on the rumen pH value, NH3-N or VFAs contents. Additionally, limited effects could be found on rumen microbiota in the calves fed WM. However, further studies needed to explore if there exist any long-term effects of early-life rumen microbiota modulation on dairy cows.

Multilocus genotyping of Giardia duodenalis in pre-weaned calves with diarrhea in the Republic of Korea.

Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan parasite that infects humans, companion animals, livestock, and wildlife. Infections in cattle caused by this parasite are often asymptomatic, but such infections can cause diarrhea, reduced weight gain, and ill-thrift in young calves. Although G. duodenalis causes diarrhea in calves, only a few studies have been conducted on calves in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Here, we aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of G. duodenalis assemblages in pre-weaned calves with diarrhea in the ROK, identify the association between the occurrence of G. duodenalis and the age of calf, and perform molecular characterization of G. duodenalis. We collected 455 fecal samples from pre-weaned native Korean calves (≤60 days old) with diarrhea in four different regions. G. duodenalis was detected using nested PCR targeting the beta-giardin (bg) gene, and positive samples were further genotyped for the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) genes. The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis in calves with diarrhea was 4.4% (20/455) based on the analysis of bg. The highest prevalence was observed in calves aged 11-30 days (7.5%; 95% confidence interval: 3.7%-11.3%), whereas the lowest prevalence was observed in neonatal calves. From the 20 samples that were positive for bg, 16, 5, and 6 sequences were obtained following genotyping of bg, gdh, and tpi, respectively. Sequencing analysis of the bg gene revealed the presence of assemblage E (n = 15) and sub-assemblage AⅠ (n = 1) in the samples. Moreover, we detected mixed infections with assemblages E and A in two calves for the first time. Among the sequences obtained herein, two new subtypes of assemblage E were detected in gdh and tpi sequences each. The results suggest that G. duodenalis is an infectious agent causing diarrhea in calves, and pre-weaned calves are at a higher risk of infection than neonatal calves. Multilocus genotyping should be performed to confirm the presence of potentially zoonotic genotypes. These results highlight the importance of cattle as a source of zoonotic transmission of G. duodenalis to humans.

A meta-analysis on the effects of probiotics on the performance of pre-weaning dairy calves

BackgroundProbiotics have been used in livestock production for many years, but information on their benefits during the early life of calves is inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the effects of probiotics on the performance of pre-weaning dairy calves and identify the factors influencing their effect sizes.ResultsForty-nine studies were selected for meta-analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study qualities were evaluated using a predefined risk assessment tool following GRADE guidelines. Meta-analysis results showed that probiotics increased the growth performance (body weight by 1.988 kg and average daily gain by 40.689 g/d), decreased digestibility and feed efficiency (feed conversion rate by 0.073), altered rumen parameter (decreased acetate by 2.815 mmol/L and increased butyrate by 0.788 mmol/L), altered blood parameter (decreased AST by 4.188 U/L, increased BHBA by 0.029 mmol/L and IgG by 0.698 g/L), increased faecal parameter (faecal bacteria counts by 0.680 log10 CFU/g), based on the strict criteria (PSMD < 0.05, I2 < 50%). Additionally, probiotics increased digestibility and feed efficiency (starter dry matter intake by 0.034 kg/d and total dry matter intake by 0.020 kg/d), altered blood parameter (increased IgA by 0.313 g/L, IgM by 0.262 g/L, and total antioxidant capacity by 0.441 U/mL, decreased MDA by 0.404 nmol/mL), decreased faecal parameter (faecal score by 0.052), based on the loose criteria (PSMD < 0.05, I2 > 50%).Regression and sub-group analyses showed that probiotic strains, supplementation dosage, and methods significantly affected the performance of calves. The probiotics supplied with more than 9.5 log10 CFU/d significantly increased IgA and IgM contents (PSMD < 0.05). Additionally, the compound probiotics significantly increased TDMI, IgA, and IgM (PSMD ≤ 0.001). Furthermore, probiotics supplemented in liquid (whole milk or milk replacer) significantly increased TDMI and decreased faecal score (PSMD < 0.05), while in whole milk, they significantly increased body weight, IgA, and IgM (PSMD < 0.001).ConclusionsProbiotics could improve the growth performance, feed intake and efficiency, rumen fermentation, immune and antioxidant capacity, and health of pre-weaning calves. However, the effect sizes were related to the dosage, composition, and supplementation methods of probiotics.

Early detection of disease onset through changes in appearance of pre-weaning calves.

The onset of diseases in pre-weaning calves can lead to changes in their appearance, which can aid early disease detection. This study measured the changes in appearance that led to disease onset in 66 pre-weaning Holstein calves. The appearance scores of the calves were recorded for 7 days before the onset of digestive or respiratory diseases. Appearance features (ear position, head position, topline curve, hair coat length, hair coat gloss, eye opening, and sunken eyes) were recorded using video camera images and scored from 0 (healthy) to 2 (poor). Among the calves with respiratory diseases, the proportion of calves with a score of 0 for ear position decreased linearly over time (p = 0.0437). Among the calves with digestive diseases, the proportion of calves with a score of 2 for hair coat length increased linearly over time (p = 0.0197). Among the calves with both respiratory and digestive diseases, the proportion of calves with scores of 1 for the topline curve and 2 for eye opening increased linearly over time (p = 0.0191). Therefore, early signs of disease manifest as different appearance features depending on the type of disease before its onset.

PUFA supplements to improve diarrhea, fecal consistency, and disease resilience in neonatal and preweaning calves

The flaxseed oil (FSO) rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were supplemented orally to ten male and female neonatal calves from day 6 of birth to day 28 to improve resilience to disease incidences (TG) and compared to calves reared without PUFA supplement (CG). The PUFA supplementation in liquid form was discontinued on day 29 and fed as bolus consisting of 25 g of ground flaxseed and 25 g of jaggery until day 90. The total dry matter intake in cluding milk solids in neonata calves was 400 g in CG and 428 g in TG (P=0.38). Digestible DMI, CP and energy intake in male and female calves of TGs was significantly (P&lt; 0.05) higher the CG. However, the body weight gain in calves during neonatal (P=0.08) and preweaning (P=0.14) age was comparable between groups. The serum IgG were 30 mg/mL on day 2 but higher in calves in TGs on day 7 (P=0.08) and day 14 (P=0.07)after birth but comparable in subsequent period until day 30 after birth. Calves resilience to diarrhea, pyrexia, anorexia, skin infection, profused lacrimation, navel ill, muzzle keratinization, umbilical hernia, fecal consistency (FC), and egg count (FEC) were examined. PUFA supplementation reduced the disease risk rate in TG by 42% (P&lt; 0.001) and diarrhea by three folds compared to CG. Haemoglobin, erythrocytes, and lymphocytes improved significantly from day 30 after birth. The intervention was recommended to reduce calf mortality and imrpoved health and body weight gain during neonatal and preweaning age.

Antimicrobial resistance and its relationship with antimicrobial use on Austrian dairy farms.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli and the resistance pattern of commensal E. coli, as well as the link between the use of antibiotics (AMU) and the occurrence of resistance in E. coli on Austrian dairy farms. AMU data from 51 farms were collected over a one-year period in 2020. Fecal samples were collected from cows, pre-weaned and weaned calves in 2020 and 2022. Samples were then analyzed using non-selective and selective agar plates, E. coli isolates were confirmed by MALDI-TOF analysis. Broth microdilution was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The AMU of each farm was quantified as the number of Defined Daily Doses (nDDDvet) and Defined Course Doses (nDCDvet) per cow and year. Cephalosporins (mean 1.049; median 0.732 DDDvet/cow/year) and penicillins (mean 0.667; median 0.383 DDDvet/cow/year) were the most frequently used antibiotics on these farms, followed by tetracyclines (mean 0.275; median 0.084 DDDvet/cow/year). In 2020, 26.8% of the E. coli isolated were resistant to at least one antibiotic class and 17.7% of the isolates were classified as multidrug resistant (≥3 antibiotic classes). Out of 198 E. coli isolates, 7.6% were identified as extended-spectrum/AmpC beta-lactamase (ESBL/AmpC) producing E. coli. In 2022, 33.7% of E. coli isolates showed resistance to at least one antibiotic and 20.0% of isolates displayed multidrug resistance. Furthermore, 29.5% of the samples carried ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli. In 2020 and 2022, the most frequently determined antibiotic resistances among commensal E. coli isolates were to tetracyclines, sulfonamides and penicillins. In addition, pre-weaned calves had the highest resistance rates in both years. Statistical analyses showed a significant association between low and high use AMU classifications for penicillins (in nDDDvet/cow/year) and their respective resistance among commensal E. coli isolates in 2020 (p = 0.044), as well as for sulfonamide/trimethoprim (p = 0.010) and tetracyclines (p = 0.042). A trend was also noted between the total amount of antibiotics used on farm in 2020 (by nDDDvet/cow/year) and multidrug resistances in commensal E. coli isolated on farm that year (p = 0.067). In conclusion, the relationship between AMU and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on dairy farms continues to be complex and difficult to quantify.

Effect of maternal factors on immunity of pre-weaning calves

Effect of maternal factors on immunity of pre-weaning calves

Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium Infection and Analysis of Hematological and Biochemical Changes in Diarrheic Pre-weaned Calves in Egypt

Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium Infection and Analysis of Hematological and Biochemical Changes in Diarrheic Pre-weaned Calves in Egypt

Observations on the effects of non-maternal adult contact on the behavioural patterns of pre-weaned dairy heifers

Context Dairy calves are often separated from their dams following birth, despite the beneficial effects of early life adult contact on behavioural development across species. Cow–calf contact systems are rare and often difficult to implement in the modern dairy industry. The development of alternative systems offering some of the benefits of adult social contact during early life, such as contact with non-maternal adults, has been limited. Aims This study explored the behavioural patterns of grouped pre-weaned calves reared with or without non-maternal adult contact, and is the first in a series of studies following the social and behavioural development of experimental calves from the age of 2 weeks to 2 years. Methods Four groups of 10 calves housed at pasture were studied from 2 to 12 weeks of age. Two groups were housed with three non-maternal dry cows each (+S). Calf behaviour in these groups was compared with that of calves in the remaining two groups, housed without adult contact (−S). Observations were conducted on behaviours including grazing, locomotion and lying, using 5-min scan sampling between morning (0930 hours) and afternoon (1600 hours) milk-feeding on 1 day every second week of the experiment (AN22271_IE1.gif = 5.9 h of data ± 0.4 h/group.day). Key results Few behavioural differences were found between groups. All groups performed mostly lying behaviour in the middle of the day and spent the most time grazing in the afternoon before the evening milk feed. Conclusions Our results indicated that calves housed at pasture behave according to innate diurnal patterns previously observed in studies of calves housed with the dam, and choose to spend the majority of daylight hours lying or grazing. Being housed with non-maternal adults has few effects on these observed behavioural patterns. Implications Our study suggests that non-maternal adult contact does not affect the immediate behavioural development of calves housed at pasture. Future research needs to explore longitudinal effects of this contact.

Failed transfer of passive immunity is a component cause of pre-weaning disease in beef and dairy calves: A systematic review and meta-analysis

&#x0D; Pre-weaned beef and dairy calves that fail to receive mater­nal antibodies are more susceptible to disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the as­sociation between failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) and disease in pre-weaned beef and dairy calves. Three data­bases were searched for relevant studies that evaluated calves diagnosed with FTPI at ≤8 days of age and recorded incidence of disease pre-weaning. Twenty-three, out of 182 identified ref­erences, were relevant and contained 46 studies. Twelve stud­ies evaluated the effect of FTPI on morbidity, 18 on mortality, 8 on diarrhea, and 8 on pneumonia. Forty-two of 46 studies (91.3%) reported greater risk for disease among FTPI calves. The strength of association between FTPI and disease var­ied and was not resolved by subgrouping by outcome, animal type, test, cut-off point, or cumulative incidence of disease. Failed transfer of passive immunity is a component cause of calf disease that may have a greater impact in some popula­tions than others.

Evaluating the effectiveness of colostrum as a therapy for diarrhea in preweaned calves.

Diarrhea is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in dairy calves. Many cases of diarrhea in calves are treated with antimicrobials, increasing the risk of antimicrobial resistance, therefore, creating a need for alternative therapies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding spray-dried maternal derived bovine colostrum replacer at the onset of diarrhea on calf growth and duration and severity of the disease in preweaning dairy calves. At a calf-raising facility in southern Ontario, calves were scored for fecal consistency twice daily on a scale of 0 to 3 and enrolled into the trial when they had 2 consecutive fecal scores of 2 (runny or spreads readily) or one fecal score of 3 (liquid consistency, splatters). Calves were then randomly allocated to receive one of the following 3 treatments: (1) control (CON; n = 35): 8 feedings over 4 d of 2.5 L of milk replacer at a concentration of 130 g/L (26% crude protein and 17% fat); (2) short-term colostrum supplementation (STC; n = 35): 4 feedings over the first 2 d of 2.5 L of a mixture of milk replacer at 65 g/L and bovine colostrum replacer at 65 g/L (26% IgG and 14.5% fat) followed by 4 feedings over 2 d of 2.5 L of milk replacer at a concentration of 130 g/L; or (3) long-term colostrum supplementation (LTC; n = 38): 8 feedings over 4 d of 2.5 L of a mixture of milk replacer at 65 g/L and bovine colostrum replacer at 65 g/L. Serum IgG was determined at arrival to the facility and body weight, days to enrollment since facility arrival, and severity of diarrhea were recorded at enrollment. Daily health exams evaluating fecal consistency were performed for 28 consecutive days after enrollment and body weight was measured at d 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42 and 56 after enrollment. The median days to resolution of a case of diarrhea was 3.5 d (range: 0.5-11.5 d), 2.75 d (range: 0.5-11.0 d), and 2.75 d (range: 0.5-7.0 d) in CON, STC, and LTC, respectively. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, it was found that calves in LTC group had faster resolution of diarrhea compared with calves in the CON group. In addition, there was an association between both days to enrollment since facility arrival and body weight and resolution of diarrhea, where calves who were at the facility longer before enrollment and heavier at the onset of diarrhea, resolved diarrhea quicker. In addition, calves with a fecal score of 3 at enrollment took longer to resolve their case of diarrhea. With respect to body weight, a linear regression model was built and found that over the 56 d following enrollment calves in the LTC treatment grew 98 g/d more than calves in the CON group. These results suggest that bovine colostrum may be an effective therapy for diarrhea in preweaning calves.

Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) Fruit Powder as a Supplement to Improve Preweaning Dairy Calves' Health: Effect on Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Response, and Gut Bacterial Diversity.

Disease is the main reason for the use of antimicrobials in calf rearing, and antibiotics are commonly used to treat calves, including for unknown diseases. This leads to antimicrobial resistance, which is a challenge to the livestock industry and public health. Plant products containing high levels of phytochemicals may improve the immunity and resistance of calves against infections, thereby reducing the use of antimicrobials. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) fruit powder (PE) supplementation on antioxidant capacity and immune response of preweaning dairy calves. One hundred, 2-day-old, male Holstein calves were randomly assigned into five treatment groups receiving 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 g/d PE supplementation. Antioxidant and immune indices and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed from serum samples, whereas 16S rRNA was analyzed from rumen fluid and fecal samples. PE supplementation, at 5 g/d, protected calves against oxidative stress and improved antioxidant enzymes and immune and anti-inflammatory responses, showing its immunity-enhancing and protective roles against infections. However, the antioxidant capacity and immune response decreased with increasing PE levels, illustrating the adverse effects of PE supplementation at higher doses. The analysis of ruminal and fecal bacterial community abundance detected higher proportions of Firmicutes at an early age, and a higher Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio at weaning, in calves supplemented with 5 g/d PE. This contributed to the development of the immune system in early life, and improved immune and anti-inflammatory responses at a later age. The overall results suggest that PE could be supplemented at 5 g/d for preweaning dairy calves to protect against oxidative stress and infections while maintaining normal gut microbial hemostasis.

Transcriptional changes detected in fecal RNA from neonatal dairy calves of different breeds following gastrointestinal disease of varying severity.

Gastrointestinal (GI) disease is a major health concern in preweaned dairy calves. The objective of this fixed cohort study was to use RNA isolated from preweaned Holstein and Jersey heifer calf feces to study the molecular adaptations to variable clinical GI disease. The study was conducted on a commercial calf ranch in the western U.S. Enrolled calves were assessed twice daily for variations in demeanor, milk intake, and hydration. Fecal consistency scores were recorded at enrollment (day 1), and on the day (day 10) that a fecal sample was collected for differential gene expression (DGE). Calves with diarrhea on either day were classified as having either uncomplicated, localized GI disease (scours), or systemic GI disease (systemic enteritis). Eighty-four calves' fecal RNA was evaluated for DGE, of which 33 calves (n = 20 Holstein; n = 13 Jersey) were consistently healthy. The remaining 51 calves (n = 23 Holstein; n = 28 Jersey) experienced varying severity of GI disease during the sampling window. Genes of interest were related to the inflammatory response (i.e., IFNG, NFKB1, NOD2, TLR2, and TLR4) and cell membrane or cytoplasmic transport (i.e., AQP3, FABP2, KRT8 and SLC5A1). Breed-specific findings indicated that AQP3, IFNG, and TLR4 were upregulated in Holsteins with systemic enteritis, whereas KRT8 was downregulated in systemically affected Jerseys. Holsteins did not appear affected by scours aside from a tendency for DGE of toll-like receptors (TLRs) on the day of diarrhea. However, Jersey calves consistently demonstrated a tendency to upregulate IFNG, NFKB1, and TLR4 when affected with either scours or systemic enteritis. These findings were more pronounced in systemically affected Jersey calves and were observed as a delayed response to both scours and systemic enteritis. These findings support previous observations suggesting that Holstein calves may be better equipped than Jersey calves to rapidly fight pathogen invasion.

Distribution of Cryptosporidium parvum subgenotypes in pre-weaned calves in Germany.

Cryptosporidium parvum is a main cause of severe diarrhea in young calves leading to economic loss and animal suffering. Little is known about the epidemiology of the genetic subtypes that may differ in their infectiousness and zoonotic potential. The present study analyzes the distribution of Glycoprotein 60 (GP60) variants in C. parvum positive samples obtained from young calves in Germany where individual fecal samples of 441 pre-weaned calves collected from 98 German dairy herds were evaluated for cryptosporidiosis (Göhring et al., 2014). DNA was extracted for Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis from 268 samples that were positive for Cryptosporidium by coproantigen EIA originating from 91 farms confirming C. parvum as the only species occurring. GP60 subtype analysis revealed 12C. parvum subtypes, all belonging to the zoonotic allele family IIa. The most widespread subtype was IIaA15G2R1 (71.4%). Other subtypes occurred sporadically: IIaA16G2R1, IIaA16G3R1 and IIaA17G2R1 (6.2%), IIaA13G1R2 (3.5%), IIaA14G1R1 (3.1%), IIaA14G2R1 (1.3%), IIaA17G1R1 (0.9%) and IIaA13G2R1, IIaA16G1R2, IIaA17G1R2 and IIaA24G1R1 (0.4%). Altogether a high diversity of subgenotypes was found with IIaA15G2R1 clearly dominating irrespective of geographic region. All subgenotypes are considered zoonotic underscoring that pre-weaned calves are likely to be a reservoir for zoonotic C. parvum and thus may be a risk for animal-to-human transmission.

Effects of a farm-specific fecal microbial transplant (FMT) product on clinical outcomes and fecal microbiome composition in preweaned dairy calves.

Gastrointestinal disease (GI) is the most common illness in pre-weaned dairy calves. Therefore, effective strategies to manipulate the microbiome of dairy calves under commercial dairy operations are of great importance to improve animal health and reduce antimicrobial usage. The objective of this study was to develop a farm-specific FMT product and to investigate its effects on clinical outcomes and fecal microbial composition of dairy calves. The FMT product was derived from feces from healthy donors (5–24 days of age) raised in the same calf ranch facility as the FMT recipients. Healthy and diarrheic calves were randomly enrolled to a control (n = 115) or FMT (n = 112) treatment group (~36 g of processed fecal matter once daily for 3 days). Fecal samples were collected at enrollment and again 9 days later after the first FMT dose. Although the FMT product was rich in organisms typically known for their beneficial probiotic properties, the FMT therapy did not prevent or ameliorate GI disease in dairy calves. In fact, calves that received FMT were less likely to recover from GI disease, and more likely to die due to GI disease complications. Fecal microbial community analysis revealed an increase in the alpha-diversity in FMT calves; however, no major differences across treatment groups were observed in the beta-diversity analysis. Calves that received FMT had higher relative abundance of an uncultured organism of the genus Lactobacillus and Lactobacillus reuteri on day 10. Moreover, FMT calves had lower relative abundance of Clostridium nexile and Bacteroides vulgatus on day 10. Our results indicate the need to have an established protocol when developing FMT products, based on rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria for the selection of FMT donors free of potential pathogens, no history of disease or antibiotic treatment.

Prevalence and multilocus genotyping of Giardia duodenalis in Holstein cattle in Yunnan, China.

Giardia duodenalis is an important zoonotic protozoon, which can infect a variety of animals, causing diarrhea and even death of animals or humans. Dairy cattle have been implicated as important sources of human G. duodenalis. However, the information about the prevalence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis in dairy cattle in China's Yunnan Province remains limited. This study investigated the occurrence and multilocus genotyping of G. duodenalis of Holstein cattle in Yunnan Province, China. A total of 524 fresh fecal samples of Holstein cattle were randomly collected from 8 farms in Yunnan. In this study, 27.5% (144/524) of tested samples were positive for G. duodenalis infection. The highest infection ratio was found in preweaned calves (33.7%), and the infection rates of postweaned calves, growing cattle, and adult cattle were 24.5%, 23.0%, and 17.3%, respectively. The sequence analysis of SSU rRNA gene showed that the predominant assemblage of G. duodenalis in this study was assemblage E (97.9%, 141/144), whereas assemblage A was identified only in three samples (2.1%, 3/144). All G. duodenalis-positive samples were further assayed with nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting β-giardin (bg), triosephosphate isomerase (tpi), and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) genes, and 87, 41, and 81 sequences were obtained, respectively. Mixed infection of assemblages A and E of G. duodenalis was detected in three samples. Multilocus genotyping yielded 23 multilocus genotypes (MLGs). This is the first study that reveals the prevalence data of G. duodenalis in Holstein cattle in Yunnan Province, and the results of this study provided baseline data for the prevention and control of G. duodenalis infection in Holstein cattle in Yunnan Province, China.

Genome Sequence of Bovine Coronavirus Variants from the Nasal Virome of Irish Beef Suckler and Pre-weaned Dairy Calves Clinically Diagnosed with Bovine Respiratory Disease.

We report 24 bovine coronavirus (BCoV) genome sequences from Ireland. BCoV was sequenced directly from nasal swabs that had been collected during a bovine respiratory disease (BRD) outbreak among recently purchased beef suckler and pre-weaned dairy calves.

Heat abatement during the pre-weaning period: effects on lying behavior and disbudding-related responses of male Holstein calves.

Strategies to abate heat stress are seldom adopted for pre-weaned dairy calves and little is known about their effects on behavior and pain sensitivity of youngstock. Our objectives were to determine the effects of heat stress abatement on lying behavior and disbudding-related pain sensitivity, wound healing, and change in intake. Male Holstein calves (n = 60; 0 to 68 d of age) were assigned randomly at birth (d 0) to 1 of 3 treatments: hutch outdoors with 50% of its area covered with plywood (control = 20), hutch in a barn with no cooling (SH = 21), and hutch in a barn with ceiling fans (SHF = 19). Calves were fitted with lying-behavior loggers on the hind leg from d 1 to 68. On d 32 ± 8 (±SD), we disbudded calves using hot iron, 30 min after cornual nerves were blocked with lidocaine. Immediately before (0 h), and at 1, 2, and 3 h after disbudding, we evaluated calves for mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) and head (ear flick, head shake, head rubbing) and somatic (tail flicking, foot stamping, restlessness) behaviors. On d 1, 3, 7, and 14 after disbudding, we evaluated the MNT and, on d 7 and 14, we evaluated wound healing (1 = crust, 5 = exudate). We calculated the relative change in milk solids and starter intake from d 0 to 6 relative to disbudding compared with the average of the 72 h preceding the procedure. The lying time was 0.6 h/d greater for the SHF treatment compared with the SH treatment. The control treatment resulted in 3.2 and 4.1 more lying bouts per day than the SH and SHF treatments, respectively; consequently, the control treatment resulted in lying-bout duration 7.7 and 10.9 min/event shorter than the SH and SHF treatments, respectively. We did not detect an effect of treatment on the number of disbudding-related head and somatic behaviors and MNT. The odds of calves having abnormal wound was 3.5 and 3.2 times greater for the control treatment compared with the SH and SHF treatments, respectively. We did not detect an effect of treatment on the relative change in intake of milk solids and starter. Heat abatement improves the welfare of pre-weaned dairy calves and may hasten healing.

Parasites Infection OF Swamp Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) In East Sumba Regency

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Swamp buffalo (&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bubalus bubalis&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;) play an important role in supporting the economy and social life of the community in the East Sumba Regency. The prevalence and intensity One of the diseases still a health problem in livestock, including buffalo, is parasite infection. Research on cases of parasite infection in buffaloes in the East Sumba Regency has not been widely reported. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the parasites that infect the buffalo as well as to measure the prevalence and infection rates. The coprological examination of 105 samples of swamp buffalo feces from the East Sumba Regency was conducted in this study. The simple flotation and the modified McMaster method were used to identify and measure the degree of infection of Nematode, Cestode, and protozoan oocyst, while the modified Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory (DBL) method was used to detect the presence of Trematodes. The results showed that 67 out of 105 buffaloes (63.81%) had parasite infections, which were caused by a single (44.76%) and mix infection (19.05%). The prevalence of infection with Nematodes, Trematodes, and Protozoan oocysts in males (73.33%) was much higher than in female (60.00%) buffalo; nevertheless, the chi-square test results showed that sex was not associated with the prevalence of parasites infection cases (p&amp;gt;0.05). Age was a risk factor that had a significant effect (p&amp;lt;0.05), with the young age group having the highest odds ratio (OR) value (5.80), followed by the age group of the calf (3.10), and pre-weaned calf (2.98). The highest to lowest infection rates were observed in Cestodes (547.03 EPG), followed by Protozoa (220.70 PG), Nematodes (84.75 EPG), and Trematodes (2.18 EPG). The present study shows that buffalo in East Sumba Regency are infected with several parasites, so control must be made to prevent losses due to the infection.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keywords&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt; - &lt;em&gt;Bubalus bubalis, East Sumba, fecal examination, gastrointestinal parasites, the prevalence&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;