Supplemental Lactoferrin Improves Health and Growth of Holstein Calves during the Preweaning Phase

Abstract

Lactoferrin is a milk protein that exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. Previous studies indicated that supplemental lactoferrin may alter the microbial populations in the gut of nonruminants and increase preweaning weight gains in calves. In the present study, 40 Holstein calves were used to examine the effects of supplemental lactoferrin (0, 1, 2, or 3 g/d) on health, growth, and feed intake from 3 d of age to 2 wk postweaning. Lactoferrin was mixed and fed with a nonmedicated milk replacer. Calves were housed in individual pens and offered a textured, nonmedicated starter and water for ad libitum consumption. Body weight and heart girth were measuredweekly. Intakes of milk replacer and starter were determined daily. Fecal consistency was monitored three times per week. Calves were weaned when they met certain criteria based on body weight gain and starter intake. Preweaning fecal score responded quadratically, with the group fed 1 g/d of lactoferrin having the lowest score. Overall and preweaning number of days medicated responded in the same manner as fecal score. Preweaning average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio increased linearly with lactoferrin supplementation, whereas postweaning gain-to-feed ratio decreased linearly with lactoferrin. Overall average daily heart girth gain increased linearly with lactoferrin. Body weight, weaning age, and dry matter intake were not different among treatments. Based on the observed improved gain-to-feed ratios, increased average daily gains, improved fecal scores, and reduced morbidity in preweaned calves, it appears that lactoferrin may be a beneficial supplement in the diets of neonatal calves prior to weaning.

Consumption of milk from transgenic goats expressing human lysozyme in the mammary gland results in the modulation of intestinal microflora

“…(Humphrey et al 2002;Robblee et al 2003). Here, the mean cumulative weight gain for animals fed HLZ milk was significantly higher during weeks 3-5 of the trial (Fig.…”

Lactoferrin research, technology and applications

“…Regarding iron metabolism, Fe-bLF administration increased hemoglobin and red blood cells in iron-deficient anemic rats (Kawakami, Hiratsuka, & Dosako, 1988), whereas administration of Fe-bLF at high dose decreased hepatic iron content in weaning mice fed excess iron (Hagiwara et al, 1997). It is reported that oral LF reduces fat content in the serum and liver in mice , vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A)-mediated angiogenesis in rats (Norrby, 2004), and weight gain in preweaning calves (Robblee et al, 2003).…”

Development of New Strategy for Non-Antibiotic Therapy: Bovine Lactoferrin Has a Potent Antimicrobial and Immunomodulator Effects

“…Lf has been reported to have important nutraceutical and biological properties such as antimicrobial activities [6] and regulating the immune system [7]. It is known to act as a growth factor by stimulating mucosal growth of the small intestine [8] and to increase hepatic protein synthesis in newborn [9]. It modulates the inflammatory response [10].…”