Hecker Odile C, Schröter Iris, Rienhoff Andreas, Thönnissen Anne, Meininghaus Elena, Burkert Sabrina, Mergenthaler Marcus, Boelhauve Marc
Department of Agriculture, Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, 59494 Soest, Germany.
Animals (Basel). 2022 Mar 28;12(7):850. doi: 10.3390/ani12070850.
During the first days of a calf’s life, the foundations are laid for successful growth and thus also for the later performance of the cows. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact on the weight gain of newborn calves due to important management factors related to colostrum supply, iron supply, feeding regime and microbial load at first feeding. In spring 2017, information of 123 Holstein calves were analyzed with regard to the colostrum supply and management factors on eight commercial dairy farms located in Germany. Additionally, blood samples of newborn calves were analyzed for total immunoglobulin G (IgG) and serum iron content. Furthermore, Brix analysis and analysis of contamination by E. coli were performed on first colostrum samples from teats or buckets. Average daily weight gain of calves at days 14 and 50 was calculated. The colostrum IgG was estimated by Brix refractometer. The volume of initial colostrum supply and the time between birth and colostrum intake significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the serum IgG concentration. The serum IgG concentration, the serum iron concentration and the feeding regimen (restrictive or not restrictive feeding) had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on daily weight gains. In conclusion, this study shows that, in addition to a sufficient supply of immunoglobulins, other aspects, such as an adequate colostrum, iron and milk supply, play an essential role in calf growth rates.
在犊牛出生后的最初几天，为其成功生长奠定基础，从而也为日后奶牛的生产性能奠定基础。本研究的目的是分析初乳供应、铁供应、饲喂方式和首次饲喂时的微生物负荷等重要管理因素对新生犊牛体重增加的影响。2017年春季，对德国8个商业奶牛场的123头荷斯坦犊牛的初乳供应和管理因素信息进行了分析。此外，还对新生犊牛的血液样本进行了总免疫球蛋白G（IgG）和血清铁含量分析。此外，对来自乳头或桶的初乳样本进行了糖度分析和大肠杆菌污染分析。计算了犊牛在第14天和第50天的平均日增重。初乳IgG通过糖度折射仪估算。初乳的初始供应量以及出生与摄入初乳之间的时间显著（p<0.05）影响血清IgG浓度。血清IgG浓度、血清铁浓度和饲喂方式（限制饲喂或非限制饲喂）对日增重有显著影响（p<0.05）。总之，本研究表明，除了充足的免疫球蛋白供应外，其他方面，如充足的初乳、铁和牛奶供应，对犊牛生长速度起着至关重要的作用。
