Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gbm5v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T02:52:08.618Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effects of feeding frequency of an elevated plane of milk replacer and calf age on behavior, and glucose and insulin kinetics in male Holstein calves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 November 2018

J. MacPherson ,
S. J. Meale Open the ORCID record for S. J. Meale [Opens in a new window] ,
K. Macmillan ,
J. Haisan ,
C. J. Bench ,
M. Oba  and
M. A. Steele
J. MacPherson
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave. Edmonton, T6G 2R3 AB, Canada
S. J. Meale
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave. Edmonton, T6G 2R3 AB, Canada School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton, QLD 4345, Australia
K. Macmillan
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave. Edmonton, T6G 2R3 AB, Canada
J. Haisan
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave. Edmonton, T6G 2R3 AB, Canada
C. J. Bench
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave. Edmonton, T6G 2R3 AB, Canada
M. Oba
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave. Edmonton, T6G 2R3 AB, Canada
M. A. Steele*
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave. Edmonton, T6G 2R3 AB, Canada
*
†E-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Optimizing feeding regimens in early life to maximize lifelong growth and production are essential in the dairy industry. This study investigated the effects of milk replacer (MR) feeding frequency and calf age on behavior, and glucose and insulin kinetics of pre- and post-weaned calves fed an elevated plane of MR. Ten male Holstein calves (42.2±1.8 kg BW) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to two treatments offering 8 l MR/day (150 g/l) in two (2×; meal size 4 l) or four (4×; meal size 2 l) feedings via an automated calf feeder. Milk replacer was gradually stepped down by 1 l/day during week 8, with calves being weaned by week 9. Water and pelleted calf starter were offered ad libitum. Individual intake of MR and starter were recorded daily, and BW was recorded weekly. The number of visits to the MR feeder (rewarded and unrewarded), and behaviors such as lying, cross-sucking, non-nutritive sucking and occupancy time in the feeder were recorded for individual calves from weeks 4 to 10. Jugular catheters were placed on weeks 4, 7 and 10 to facilitate postprandial blood sampling and glucose tolerance tests. Statistical analysis was conducted using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure (SAS) for behavioral observations, and the MIXED procedure (SAS) with repeated measures for BW, intake, plasma glucose and plasma insulin data. Final BW, starter and MR intake did not differ between treatments. There were no differences in observed calf behaviors; with the exception that 2× calves visited the MR feeder more often (P<0.01; total: unrewarded and rewarded). Baseline concentrations (mmol/l) and the maximum change in glucose (delta, mmol/l) were greater and lower (P=0.02) in 4×compared to 2×calves, respectively. Postprandial insulin AUC240 tended (P=0.09) to be greater in 2×calves, compared to 4×calves at week 7. Similarly, Tmax (min), AUC240 and delta values (µU/ml) were greater (P⩽0.05) in 2×calves, compared to 4×calves. No treatment ×age interactions were observed for glucose or insulin during the glucose tolerance tests. Therefore, we conclude that feeding an elevated plane of MR (8 l/day) at a lower frequency (2× v. 4×) increased feeder visits, but not other hunger-related behaviors, and while postprandial glucose and insulin parameters varied, insulin sensitivity remained stable in Holstein dairy calves up to 10 weeks of age in calves consuming similar levels of calf starter.

Keywords

feeding regimenmeal sizemetabolic responsenutritionweaning
Type
Research Article
Information
animal , Volume 13 , Issue 7 , July 2019 , pp. 1385 - 1393
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ahmed, AF, Constable, PD and Misk, NA 2002. Effect of feeding frequency and route of administration on abomasal luminal pH in dairy calves fed milk replacer. Journal of Dairy Science 85, 1502–1508.Google Scholar
Bach, A, Domingo, L, Montoro, C and Terré, M 2013. Short communication: insulin responsiveness is affected by the level of milk replacer offered to young calves. Journal of Dairy Science 96, 4634–4637.Google Scholar
Borderas, TF, de Passillé, AMB and Rushen, J 2009. Feeding behavior of calves fed small or large amounts of milk. Journal of Dairy Science 92, 2843–2852.Google Scholar
Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) 2009. Guidelines on: the care and use of farm animals in research, teaching and testing. CCAC, Ottawa, ON, Canada.Google Scholar
Christoffersen, B, Ribel, U, Raun, K, Golozoubova, V and Pacini, G 2009. Evaluation of different methods for assessment of insulin sensitivity in Gottingen minipigs: introduction of a new, simpler method. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 297, R1195–R2001.Google Scholar
De Passillé, AM, Borderas, TF and Rushen, J 2011. Weaning age of calves fed a high milk allowance by automated feeders: effects on feed, water, and energy intake, behavioral signs of hunger, and weight gains. Journal of Dairy Science 94, 1401–1408.Google Scholar
Egli, CP and Blum, JW 1998. Clinical, haematological, metabolic and endocrine traits during the first three months of life of suckling simmental calves held in a cow-calf operation. Journal of Veterinary Medicine 45, 99–118.Google Scholar
Ellingsen, K, Mejdell, CM, Ottesen, N, Larsen, S and Grondahl, AM 2016. The effect of large milk meals on digestive physiology and behaviour in dairy calves. Physiology and Behavior 154, 169–174.Google Scholar
Hammon, HM, Schiessler, G, Nussbaum, A and Blum, JW 2002. Feed intake patterns, growth performance, and metabolic and endocrine traits in calves fed unlimited amounts of colostrum and milk by automate, starting in the neonatal period. Journal of Dairy Science 85, 3352–3362.Google Scholar
Hayirli, A 2006. The role of exogenous insulin in the complex of hepatic lipidosis and ketosis associated with insulin resistance phenomenon in postpartum dairy cattle. Veterinary Research Communications 30, 749–774.Google Scholar
Herrli-Gygi, M, Steiner, A, Doherr, MG, Blum, JW, Kirchhofer, M and Zanolari, P 2008. Digestive processes in ruminal drinkers characterized by means of the acetaminophen absorption test. The Veterinary Journal 176, 369–377.Google Scholar
Hostettler-Allen, RL, Tappy, L and Blum, JW 1994. Insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria in intensively milk-fed calves. Journal of Animal Science 72, 160–173.Google Scholar
Hugi, D and Blum, JW 1997. Changes of blood metabolites and hormones in breeding calves associated with weaning. Zentralblatt Fur Veterinarmedizin Reihe A 44, 99–108.Google Scholar
Hugi, D, Gut, S and Blum, J 1997. Blood metabolites and hormones—especially glucose and insulin—in veal calves: effects of age and nutrition. Journal of Veterinary Medicine 416, 407–416.Google Scholar
Hugi, D, Tappy, L, Sauerwein, H, Bruckmaier, RM and Blum, JW 1998. Insulin-dependent glucose utilization in intensively milk-fed veal calves is modulated by supplemental lactose in an age-dependent manner. Journal of Nutrition 128, 1023–1030.Google Scholar
Huntington, GB, Harmon, DL and Richards, CJ 2006. Sites, rates, and limits of starch digestion and glucose metabolism in growing cattle. Journal of Animal Science 84 (suppl.), E14–E24.Google Scholar
Jarrett, IG, Jones, GB and Potter, BJ 1964. Changes in glucose utilization during development of the lamb. Biochemical Journal 90, 189–194.Google Scholar
Jasper, J and Weary, DM 2002. Effects of ad libitum milk intake on dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science 85, 3054–3058.Google Scholar
Jensen, MB 2006. Computer-controlled milk feeding of group-housed calves: the effect of milk allowance and weaning type. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 201–206.Google Scholar
Kaufhold, JN, Hammon, HM, Bruckmaier, RM, Breier, BH and Blum, JW 2000. Nutrition, feeding, and calves: postprandial metabolism and endocrine status in veal calves fed at different frequencies. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 2480–2490.Google Scholar
Khan, MA, Lee, HJ, Lee, WS, Kim, HS, Ki, KS, Hur, TY, Suh, GH, Kang, SJ and Choi, YJ 2007. Structural growth, rumen development, and metabolic and immune responses of holstein male calves fed milk through step-down and conventional methods. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 3376–3387.Google Scholar
Khan, MA, Weary, DM and von Keyserlingk, MAG 2011. Invited review: effects of milk ration on solid feed intake, weaning, and performance in dairy heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 94, 1071–1081.Google Scholar
Longenbach, JI and Heinrichs, AJ 1998. A review of the importance and physiological role of curd formation in the abomasum of young calves. Animal Feed Science and Technology 73, 85–97.Google Scholar
Longo, VD and Panda, S 2016. Fasting, circadian rhythms, and time-restricted feeding in healthy lifespan. Cellular Metabolism 23, 1048–1059.Google Scholar
MacPherson, JAR, Berends, H, Leal, LN, Cant, JP, Martin-Tereso, J and Steele, MA 2016. Effect of milk replacer intake and age on glucose and insulin kinetics in female Holstein Friesian dairy calves fed twice daily. Journal of Dairy Science 99, 8007–8017.Google Scholar
Mattson, MP and Wan, R 2005. Beneficial effects of intermittent fasting and caloric restriction on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 16, 129–137.Google Scholar
Miller-Cushon, E and DeVries, T 2015. Invited review: development and expression of dairy calf feeding behaviour. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 95, 341–350.Google Scholar
National Research Council 2001. Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle, 7th revised edition. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, USA.Google Scholar
Pantophlet, AJ, Gilbert, MS, Van Den Borne, JJGC, Gerrits, WJJ, Priebe, MG and Vonk, RJ 2016. Insulin sensitivity in calves decreases substantially during the first 3 months of life and is unaffected by weaning or fructo-oligosaccharide supplementation. Journal of Dairy Science 99, 7602–7611.Google Scholar
Pires, JAA, Souza, AH and Grummer, RR 2007. Induction of hyperlipidemia by intravenous infusion of tallow emulsion causes insulin resistance in holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 2735–2744.Google Scholar
Soberon, F, Raffrenato, E, Everett, RW and Van Amburgh, ME 2012. Preweaning milk replacer intake and effects on long-term productivity of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science 95, 783–793.Google Scholar
Van den Borne, JJGC, Verstegen, MWA, Alferink, SJJ, Giebels, RMM and Gerrits, WJJ 2006. Effects of feeding frequency and feeding level on nutrient utilization in heavy preruminant calves. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 3578–3586.Google Scholar
Vicari, T, Van Den Borne, JJGC, Gerrits, WJJ, Zbinden, Y and Blum, JW 2008. Postprandial blood hormone and metabolite concentrations influenced by feeding frequency and feeding level in veal calves. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 34, 74–88.Google Scholar
Vieira, ADP, Guesdon, V, De Passille, AM, von Keyserlingk, MAG and Weary, DM 2008. Behavioural indicators of hunger in dairy calves. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 109, 180–189.Google Scholar
Webb, DW, Heah, HH and Wilcox, CJ 1969. Effect of age and diet on fasting blood and plasma glucose levels, plasma nonesterified fatty acid levels, and glucose tolerance in dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science 52, 2007–2013.Google Scholar
Yunta, C, Terré, M and Bach, A 2015. Short- and medium-term changes in performance and metabolism of dairy calves offered different amounts of milk replacers. Livestock Science 181, 249–255.Google Scholar