Molasses as a possible cause of an ''endocrine disruptive syndrome'' in calves

Abstract

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;">During the mid 1990s a potentially serious, chronic syndrome was reported in well-managed beef and dairy herds from unrelated parts of South Africa. Farmers reported that it manifested as various combinations of decreased production, decreased weaning masses, apparent immune breakdown in previously immunocompetent animals, increased reproductive disorders, various mineral imbalances in non-deficient areas and goitre, noticeable as enlarged thyroid glands. The farmers associated this syndrome with certain batches of sugar cane molasses and molasses-based products. The syndrome was reminiscent of an ''endocrine disruptive syndrome''. <br />The objective of this study was to evaluate the suspected endocrine disruptive effect of molasses included in cattle feed. Using existing <em>in vitro</em> assays, four batches of molasses syrup were screened for possible inclusion in a calf feeding trial. Two batches were selected for the trial. Thirty-two, 4- to 6-week-old, weaned Holstein bull calves were included in the single phase, three treatment, parallel design experiment. In two of the groups of calves, two different batches of molasses were included in their rations respectively. The control group was fed a ration to which no molasses was added, but which was balanced for energy and mineral content. The mass gain of the calves was recorded over the 6-month study period. The calves were clinically examined every week and clinical pathology parameters, immune responses and endocrine effects were regularly evaluated. <br />Even though endocrine disrupting effects were detected with the <em>in vitro</em> screening assays, these could not be reproduced in the calves in the experiment. The two batches of molasses utilized in the calf feeding trial did not induce major differences in any of the parameters measured, with the exception of a lower mass gain in one of the molasses-fed groups (Group 1), which tended towards significance. <br />The results of the study indicate that the two batches of molasses had no endocrine disruptive or immunosuppressive effects in calves.</span&gt

Molasses : dampak negatif pada ruminansia

“…Manifestasi klinis dari sindrom tersebut adalah penurunan produksi, penurunan kekebalan, peningkatan gangguan reproduksi, gangguan ketidak seimbangan mineral yang ditandai dengan pembesaran kelenjar tiroid. Sindrom tersebut diduga terkait dengan penggunaan molasses dan produk asal molasses yang digunakan pada peternakan tersebut dan sindrom tersebut mirip dengan endocrine disruptive syndrome (EDCs) (Masgoret et al, 2009). Istilah EDCs sendiri adalah substansi eksogen atau campurannya yang mampu merubah fungsi sistem endokrin sehingga dapat mengakibatkan dampak merugikan bagi kesehatan manusia maupun hewan (Frische et al, 2013).…”

“…Istilah EDCs sendiri adalah substansi eksogen atau campurannya yang mampu merubah fungsi sistem endokrin sehingga dapat mengakibatkan dampak merugikan bagi kesehatan manusia maupun hewan (Frische et al, 2013). Masgoret et al (2009) mengamati potensi molasses dalam mengakibatkan gangguan endokrin. Dalam penelitiannya, meskipun molasses menunjukkan kemungkinan gangguan endokrin in vitro, data in vivo menunjukkan bahwa molasses tidak berdampak negatif pada endokrin sapi.…”