Effects of the level and duration of maternal diets with negative dietary cation-anion differences prepartum on calf growth, immunity, and mineral and energy metabolism

Abstract

The objectives were to investigate the effects that maternal diets containing negative dietary cation-anion differences (DCAD) fed in the last 42 d of gestation may have on the acid-base status, hematology, mineral and energy metabolism, growth, and health of calves. The experiment was a randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of 2 levels of negative DCAD (-70 or -180 mEq/kg) and 2 feeding durations (the last 21 d prepartum and the last 42 d prepartum). Bulls and heifers (n = 60) born to these dams were weighted at birth and fed 3.8 L of colostrum for their first feeding, and only heifers (n = 44, 9-12/treatment) were kept thereafter. Heifer body weight was also recorded at 21 d, 42 d, 62 d, 3 mo, and 6 mo of age. Blood was collected at birth, before colostrum feeding, and at 1, 2, 3, 21, and 42 d of age and assayed for minerals, metabolites, and cell counts. Heifers born to dams fed the last 42 d prepartum weighed 2.8 and 4.8 kg less at birth and 62 d, respectively, compared with calves born to dams fed the last 21 d prepartum; however, body weight at 3 and 6 mo of age was similar. Concentrations of ionized calcium did not differ among treatments at birth, but heifers born to -180 DCAD dams had increased blood concentrations at 3 d of age, whereas those born to -70 DCAD dams did not. At birth, heifers born to -180 DCAD dams experienced a subtle and transient metabolic acidosis (pH = 7.33 ± 0.02; pCO = 53.0 ± 2.4 mmHg; HCO = 27.6 ± 0.7 mmol/L) compared with the more evident metabolic acidosis observed in those born to -70 DCAD cows (pH = 7.28 ± 0.02; pCO = 59.3 ± 2.4 mmHg; HCO = 27.8 ± 0.7 mmol/L). Heifers born to -180 DCAD dams had reduced concentrations of β-hydroxybutric acid and nonesterified fatty acids compared with those born to -70 DCAD dams. Efficiency of IgG transfer from colostrum into blood and serum concentrations did not differ among treatments. There was no relationship between measures of metabolic acidosis and measures of efficiency of IgG absorption. Percentage of lymphocytes and neutrophils was altered by maternal treatments; however, treatments did not affect calf morbidity. Extending the duration of feeding up to 42 d or reducing the level of negative DCAD to -180 mEq/kg in maternal diets exerted a transient metabolic acidosis in the calves and slightly affected measures of mineral, energy metabolism, and growth.

Short communication: Blood mineral and gas concentrations of calves born to cows fed prepartum diets differing in dietary cation-anion difference and calcium concentration

“…However, Morrill et al (2010) reported similar concentrations of serum IgG and apparent efficiency of absorption in calves born to dams fed diets with or without anionic salts prepartum. Collazos et al (2017) did not observe any difference in serum IgG or IgG apparent efficiency of IgG absorption of calves born to cows fed diets with −7 or −18 mEq/100 g of DM DCAD. Results from our current trial suggest that there was no effect of DCAD on the apparent efficiency of IgG absorption in calves based on serum IgG concentrations after feeding 200 g of IgG from a colostrum replacer.…”

“…However, others have reported negative effects on IgG absorption in calves whose dam were fed negative DCAD diets (Joyce and Sanchez, 1994;Guy et al, 1996;Quigley and Drewry, 1998). More recently, Collazos et al (2017) reported a transient metabolic acidosis in calves born to dams fed acidogenic diets prepartum. The objectives of this trial were to determine the effects of prepartum DCAD and dietary Ca concentration on colostrum quality, newborn calf blood minerals, and gas concentration.…”

Elevated maternal linoleic acid reduces circulating leptin concentrations, cholesterol levels and male fetal survival in a rat model

“…Maternal acid‐base balance during pregnancy is associated with fetal development (Collazos et al . ). Very small changes in pH may affect the function of fetal organ systems (Omo‐Aghoja, ).…”

“…In cows, a negative dietary cation‐anion difference in maternal diet affected growth and energy metabolism in the calves (Collazos et al . ). In our study, there was no difference in maternal plasma pH, , Na + , Cl − , HCO 3 − or osmolality between dietary groups; however, maternal plasma was significantly increased in the rats fed the HLA diet.…”

Reducing dietary cation–anion difference seldom affects rumen fermentation, cellulolytic bacteria populations, and microbiota in goats

“…Recently, attention was given to the interaction of DCAD with calcium (Ca) concentration [11], cholecalciferol/calcidiol [12], 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan [13], vitamin D [14][15][16], and duration [17,18] of blood Ca level increases. Results of these studies indicated that lower DCAD in association with the above factors was effective in improving homeostasis of peripheral blood Ca.…”