Growth of Holstein calves from birth to 90 days: the influence of dietary zinc and BLAD status1

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to describe Holstein neonatal growth and development as influenced by dietary zinc supplementation and the CD18 genotype, both of which may affect immune competence. Holstein calves (n = 421), after being fed colostrum, were brought to a calf facility, randomly assigned to one of four zinc supplementation groups (control at 40 mg Zn/kg DM or the control diet supplemented with an additional 60 mg Zn/kg DM provided as either zinc sulfate, zinc lysine, or zinc methionine), weighed, and measured for morphometric growth parameters. Measurements were repeated at 30, 60, and 90 d. Calves were also genotyped for the presence of the mutant D128G CD18 allele, which, if present in two copies, causes bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency. Zinc supplementation above 40 mg Zn/kg DM, regardless of the chemical form, did not accelerate growth (P > 0.25). Further, overall calf growth performance was not suppressed or improved (P > 0.4) in calves heterozygous at the CD18 locus relative to calves homozygous for the normal CD18 allele, although genotype negatively affected some morphometric measurements (P < 0.05). Using these data, quadratic models of early growth were generated as a preliminary step to develop growth criteria that will allow producers, veterinarians, and animal scientists to identify poor growth performance early in neonatal life. Such criteria provide the basis for tools to improve economic performance.

Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (BLAD): A Review

“…In contrast, no significant associations were found between carriers and non-carriers with respect to ages at 1st to 3rd calvings, calving interval, lactation duration, milk yield or fat and protein yields [13]. The overall calf growth performance was not suppressed in calves heterozygous at the CD18 locus [10].…”

“…Pyrexia, anorexia, chronic pneumonia, and recurrent or chronic diarrhea are commonly observed in BLAD calves [9,11,16,35,68]. Affected cattle have severe ulcers on oral mucous membranes, ulcerative stomatitis, gingivitis, severe periodontitis, loss of teeth, chronic pneumonia, and stunted growth [1,5,10,15,29,35,57]. Impaired wound healing, chronic dermatitis, and multiple recurrent infections are also found [29,35] (Fig.…”

Influence of Age, Sex, and Production Class on Liver Zinc Concentration in Calves

“…Zinc deficiency has been associated with poor production and growth, and a number of economically important health-related issues. 4,5,22,28,32,34 Clinical signs include poor body condition, dull appearance, decreased appetite, 9 rough hair coat, poor growth rates, impaired vision, diarrhea, hyperkeratosis, alopecia, 34 abortion, mummification, prolonged calving/uterine inertia, impaired vitamin A metabolism, immunosuppression, thymic hypoplasia/atrophy, marked decline in milk production and weight gain, reduction in circulating insulin and growth hormone levels, and decreased efficiency of feed use. 11,34 Although less common, zinc poisoning has also been reported in cattle and is usually a result of accidental oversupplementation.…”

Gestational, Periparturient and Preweaning Growth Traits of Holstein versus Gir × Holstein F1Crossbred Dairy Calves Born to Holstein dams

“…Among Bos indicus, Gir straightbred and crossbred beef cattle traditionally have lighter birth weights than other Bos indicus crosses (Paschal et al, 1991). Reported birth weights of Holstein calves in the literature for heifers are 35.6 kg (Stanley et al, 2002), 41.1 kg (Arrayet et al, 2002), 39.8 kg (Kertz et al, 1997); and for bulls are 44.0-47.8 kg (Diaz et al, 2001), 44.2 kg (Arrayet et al, 2002) and 43.2 kg (Kertz et al, 1997). These results reported by these studies for Holstein bull and heifer birth weights are not dissimilar to the range in birth weights reported for H × H and G × H calves in the present investigation ( Table 3).…”