Inclusion of psyllium in milk replacer for neonatal calves. 1. Effects on growth, digesta viscosity, rate of passage, nutrient digestibilities, and metabolites in blood

Abstract

Based on research in other species, inclusion of psyllium in milk replacer might improve nutrient utilization and gastrointestinal function in neonatal calves. Male Holstein calves were fed a milk replacer (22% crude protein, 20% fat) either without or with psyllium (1.1% of dry matter) from 2 d through 28 d of age. Milk replacer was reconstituted to 12.5% dry matter (DM) and fed at 12% of calf body weight (BW), adjusted weekly. Water was offered ad libitum but no starter was fed. Three calves per treatment were harvested weekly to sample digesta from the rumen, abomasum, jejunum, proximal colon, and distal colon. Mean daily intakes of water, DM, crude protein, and metabolizable energy did not differ between treatments. Average daily gain of BW did not differ between treatments. Digesta from the abomasum and colon of calves fed psyllium was more viscous than digesta from control calves. Mean retention time of digesta in the total digestive tract tended to be greater for calves supplemented with psyllium (9.7 vs. 8.4h). Feces and digesta from the proximal and distal colon of calves fed psyllium had lower DM content than feces and digesta from control calves. Total-tract apparent digestibility of DM (92.8 vs. 94.1%) was lower for psyllium-fed calves, likely as an effect of the addition of the more poorly digestible psyllium; digestibilities of energy and ash also tended to be lower. The prefeeding plasma glucose concentration (10h after previous feeding) tended to be greater for psyllium-fed calves but concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, urea N, and total protein did not differ between treatments. Blood components did not differ between treatments at 2h postfeeding. Inclusion of psyllium in the milk replacer of neonatal calves increased digesta viscosity and slowed passage of digesta through the gastrointestinal tract.

A blend of essential oils improved feed efficiency and affected ruminal and systemic variables of dairy cows

“…Viscosity of fecal samples used for the determination of diet digestibility was evaluated according to an adaptation of the methodology of Cannon et al (2010) . Samples of 100 g of fresh feces were diluted in 120 mL of water.…”

Inclusion of psyllium in milk replacer for neonatal calves. 2. Effects on volatile fatty acid concentrations, microbial populations, and gastrointestinal tract size

“…Previously we reported that addition of psyllium to milk replacer increased viscosity of digesta in the abomasum and colon, decreased DM content of colonic digesta and feces, and decreased the passage rate of digesta in the total digestive tract of healthy neonatal calves (Cannon et al, 2010). As part of that study, the objective of the research reported here was to determine the effects of inclusion of psyllium in milk replacer on VFA concentrations and microbial populations throughout the GIT, as well as on weight, length, and density of GIT tissues in neonatal dairy calves.…”

“…All procedures were approved by the University of Illinois Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (protocol number 04083). Details of selection of calves, general husbandry, and dietary management were presented previously (Cannon et al, 2010). Briefly, the study was conducted with 2 blocks of 12 and 22 male calves purchased from a local commercial dairy at less than 36 h of age.…”

Nutritional value, performance, feeding behavior and serum biochemical profile of sheep fed with alfalfa hay replacing Bermuda grass ( Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) hay

“…Digestion rates of structural carbohydrates are often faster for feed based on legume than grasses. The higher rate of passage may, however, decrease the digestibility of some nutrients (Vieira et al, 2008;Cannon et al, 2010) and therefore affect performance. Differences between feeds, especially a physical dissimilarity regarding fibrous contents, determine alterations in feeding behavior, with a lower total intake time and an animal resting for longer as the amount of fiber decreases.…”