نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه لرستان، خرم آباد، ایران
2 بخش تحقیقات علوم دامی، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی استان اصفهان، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، اصفهان، ایران
3 بخش تحقیقات علوم دامی، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی استان اصفهان، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، اصفهان، ایران.
چکیده
کلیدواژه‌ها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction effects of different weaning methods and vitamin C supplementation on the performance, skeletal development, and blood parameters of suckling Holstein calves. A total of 64 Holstein calves (32 males and 32 females) were randomly allocated to four treatment groups with 16 replicates each, following a completely randomized design.The experimental treatments were: (1) complete weaning from day 80 without vitamin C supplementation, (2) complete weaning from day 80 with the administration of 2500 mg effervescent vitamin C tablets every four days from birth to weaning, (3) gradual weaning from day 73 to day 80 without vitamin C supplementation, and (4) gradual weaning from day 73 to day 80 with the administration of 2500 mg effervescent vitamin C tablets every four days from birth to weaning. At two months of age and at the end of the experiment, the calves that were suddenly weaned and received vitamin C showed greater body weight. However, no significant differences were observed among the experimental treatments concerning body length and hip width during the post-weaning period. The lowest concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides, both before and after weaning, were observed in treatment 3 (P<0.05). After weaning, the highest total antioxidant capacity was found in treatment 4, while the lowest concentration of malondialdehyde was recorded in treatment 3 (P<0.05). In conclusion, sudden weaning combined with vitamin C supplementation improved average body weight, feed intake, and blood parameters in calves.
کلیدواژه‌ها [English]
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Vitamin C is one of the most abundant and arguably the most important water-soluble antioxidants in mammals, with a significant effect on reducing oxidative stress. While ruminants typically synthesize vitamin C in the liver and degrade dietary ascorbic acid primarily through rumen microorganisms, instances of liver dysfunction and stressful conditions can make ruminants more susceptible to vitamin C deficiency. Therefore, vitamin C supplementation can serve as a crucial source of antioxidants for stressed calves, particularly during the weaning period. The aim of this study was to the study of interaction effect of weaning methods and feeding of vitamin C to on performance and skeletal and blood parameters in suckling Holstein calves
Materials & Methods
A total of sixty-four Holstein suckling calves were assigned to one of four treatments (eight males and eight females per treatment) using a completely randomized design in individual stalls. The experimental treatments were as follows: 1) complete weaning on day 80 without vitamin C supplementation, 2) complete weaning on day 80 with the administration of 2500 mg of effervescent vitamin C bolus every four days from birth to weaning, 3) gradual weaning from day 73 to day 80 without vitamin C supplementation, and 4) gradual weaning from day 73 to day 80 with the administration of 2500 mg of effervescent vitamin C bolus every four days from birth to weaning. The vitamin C bolus was added to the morning milk meal. Throughout the experimental period, calves had ad libitum access to water and feed. Body weight was recorded at the first, second, and final months of the experiment. Blood samples were analyzed for glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, urea, and total protein using commercial kits (Pars Azmoon, Tehran, Iran). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured in whole blood samples using Ransod and Ransel kits, respectively (Randox Laboratories, UK). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was assessed in serum samples using the total antioxidant status assay (Randox Laboratories, UK). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined according to the method described by Moore and Roberts (1998).
Results
The experimental treatments had a significant effect on body weight at two months and at the end of the trial (P < 0.05), with the highest weight observed in treatment 2. Pre-weaning skeletal growth indices were significantly influenced by the treatments (P<0.05). Post-weaning, the greatest abdominal girth, chest circumference, and wither height were recorded in treatment 3 (P <0.05). No differences in body length or hip width were observed among the treatments post-weaning. The lowest concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides, both before and after weaning, were found in treatment 3 (P<0.05). Plasma albumin concentrations remained unaffected by the experimental treatments both pre- and post-weaning. Pre-weaning, there were no significant differences in antioxidant enzyme activities between treatments. Post-weaning, the highest total antioxidant capacity was recorded in treatment 4, while the lowest malondialdehyde concentration was observed in treatment 3 (P<0.05). Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzyme concentrations were not influenced by the different experimental treatments.
Conclusion
In summary, the sudden weaning method, when combined with vitamin C supplementation, improved average body weight, feed intake, and blood parameters in calves. The highest skeletal growth indices were observed with the gradual weaning method.
Author Contributions
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All authors contributed equally to the conceptualization of the article and writing of the original and subsequent drafts.
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The authors would like to thank all participants of the present study.
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of ABCD (Ethical code: IR.UT.RES.2024.500). The authors avoided data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and misconduct.
The author declares no conflict of interest.
The author declares no conflict of interest.
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