Open AccessThe Effects of Amino Acid Supplementations during Weaning on Starter Intake and Growth of Dairy Calves
Author(s) -
J.A.D.R.N. Appuhamy,
Can Ayhan Kaya,
Janaka Wickramasinghe
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
iowa state university animal industry report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2693-0293
pISSN - 2693-0277
DOI - 10.31274/air.11928
Subject(s) - weaning , starter , zoology , glutamine , biology , weight gain , medicine , amino acid , body weight , food science , endocrinology , biochemistry
Supplementationof L-glutamine (Gln) at 1.0% of DMI has shown to enhance immune function,alleviate stress and promote growth in weaned piglets. Branched-chain aminoacids (BCAA) particularly leucine are known to promote muscle growth. Thoseenhancements are critical for calves undergoing weaning particularly from ahigh volume of milk at an early age. In the present study we examined theeffects of a Gln supplement (1.0% of DMI) with or without BCAA on starterintake and growth performance of dairy calves weaned early (35 d of age) from ahigh milk volume (9.0 L/d). A separategroup of calves not receiving any amino acid supplement served as the control(CTL). All calves were partially weaned restrictingthe milk volume to 3.0 L/d at 35 d of age. The amino acids were fed mixing inmilk during the first week of weaning (35 to 42 d). While having 9.0 L of milk,calves consumed zero grain but had average daily gain (ADG) close to 0.9 kg/d. Eventhough milk volume restriction significantly increased starter intake, it wasassociated with a significant growth depression that was not alleviated by Glnor Gln plus BCAA during the first week of weaning. During the second week ofweaning, calves had ADG that was comparable to pre-weaning growth rates.Regardless of treatments, calves achieved 1.0 kg/d starter intake within 16 dafter partial weaning and thus weaned completely at 51 d of age. Calves supplemented with Gln or Gln plus BCAAwas related to significantly lower starter intake and body weight than CTL postweaning (49 to 70 d). In conclusion, supplementationof Gln (1% of DMI) alone or with BCAA was not successful in mitigating growthdepression associated with weaning. On the other hand, they negatively affectedstarter intake post-weaning suggesting a lasting impact on mechanisms governingfeed intake. The present study demonstrated that 1.0 kg/d starterintake can be achieved at 7 week of age by employing a step-wise weaning schemefor dairy calves fed a high volume of milk.