Effects of Supplementing Holstein Heifers with Dietary Melatonin during Late Gestation on Growth and Cardiovascular Measurements of their Offspring.

The objective was to examine the effects of supplementing dams with dietary melatonin during late gestation on offspring growth and cardiovascular measurements. On day 190 of gestation, heifers (n = 20) were blocked by body weight and randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments consisting of 20 mg of dietary melatonin per day [melatonin (MEL)] or no melatonin supplementation [control (CON)]. Dietary treatments were terminated on day 262 of gestation. At birth, calves were separated from their dams with no further treatments. Calf (n = 18) blood pressure, cortisol, nitrites and total antioxidant capacity were collected on weeks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 of age. Calf hepatic portal blood flow and concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 were determined on weeks 0 and 4 of age. Calf body weight, abdominal girth, hip height and wither height increased (p < 0.05) with age. An age by treatment interaction (p < 0.01) was observed for calf body weight, which was increased at weeks 8 and 9 of age in calves born to MEL heifers compared to calves born to CON heifers. Pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure, absolute hepatic portal blood flow and blood flow relative to calf body weight were not different (p > 0.05) between treatments. A main effect of calf age (p < 0.05) was observed for concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1, which was decreased at week 4 compared to week 0. An age by treatment interaction (p < 0.05) was observed for cortisol, which was decreased at week 2 in calves from MEL-treated dams compared to calves from CON-treated dams. Early post-natal growth was altered in offspring born to dams supplemented with dietary melatonin. This could lead to further foetal programming implications in conjunction with post-natal development.

Short communication: Effects of increasing protein and energy in the milk replacer with or without direct-fed microbial supplementation on growth and performance of preweaned Holstein calves.

Forty-four Holstein calves were fed a direct-fed microbial (DFM) and 1 of 2 milk replacers to evaluate calf performance and growth. Treatments were (1) a control milk replacer [22:20; 22% crude protein (CP) and 20% fat], (2) an accelerated milk replacer (27:10; 27% CP and 10% fat), (3) the control milk replacer with added DFM (22:20+D), and (4) the accelerated milk replacer with added DFM (27:10+D). Dry matter intake, rectal temperatures, respiration scores and rates, and fecal scores were collected daily. Body weight, hip and withers height, heart girth, blood, and rumen fluid samples were collected weekly. Effects of treatment, sex, week, and their interactions were analyzed. Calves fed an accelerated milk replacer, regardless of DFM supplementation, consumed more CP and metabolizable energy in the milk replacer. No treatment differences were found for starter intake or intake of neutral detergent fiber or acid detergent fiber in the starter. Calves fed the accelerated milk replacer had greater preweaning and weaning body weight compared with calves fed the control milk replacer. Average daily gain was greater during the preweaning period for calves fed the accelerated milk replacer, but the same pattern did not hold true during the postweaning period. Feed efficiency did not differ among treatments. Hip height tended to be and withers height and heart girth were greater at weaning for calves fed the accelerated milk replacer compared with calves fed the control milk replacer. Fecal scores were greatest in calves fed DFM. Overall acetate, propionate, butyrate, and n-valerate concentrations were lower in calves fed the accelerated milk replacer, but DFM did not have an effect. Rumen pH was not different. Blood metabolites were unaffected by DFM supplementation, but calves fed the accelerated milk replacer had increased partial pressure of CO2, bicarbonate, and total bicarbonate in the blood. Direct-fed microbial supplementation did not appear to benefit the calf in this trial.