Factors affecting poor performance and scours in preruminant calves fed corn oil

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Veterinary Medicine
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Calf scours (diarrhea) is a significant issue in young livestock, impacting performance and feed utilization.
• Dietary fats, including corn oil, are used in calf starters, but their effect on scours and lipid metabolism requires further investigation.
• Prostaglandins have been implicated in the pathogenesis of scours, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of tallow and corn oil on calf performance, feed efficiency, and scours incidence.
• To investigate the role of prostaglandins in corn oil-induced scours by using aspirin as an inhibitor.
• To analyze the impact of dietary fats on blood plasma lipid composition in calves.

Main Methods:

• A 4-week feeding study involving 12 three-day-old calves.
• Comparison of three dietary treatments: tallow, corn oil, and corn oil plus aspirin.
• Monitoring of calf performance (average daily gain, feed efficiency) and incidence of scours.
• Analysis of blood plasma lipid composition, including prostaglandin precursors.

Main Results:

• Calves fed corn oil (both treatments) exhibited lower average daily gain and feed efficiency compared to those fed tallow.
• The incidence of scours was higher in calves fed corn oil compared to tallow, though unexpectedly lower than in previous studies.
• Improved fat dispersion (smaller globules) in the corn oil treatments appeared to mitigate scours.
• Aspirin treatment did not reduce scours, and prostaglandin precursor levels (arachidonic acid) were decreased by dietary corn oil.
• Blood plasma lipid profiles were altered by corn oil, with reduced levels of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid.

Conclusions:

• Dietary corn oil, particularly with improved fat dispersion, can reduce scours incidence in young calves.
• Prostaglandins are not the primary causative factor in corn oil-induced scours in this model.
• Fat globule size is a critical factor influencing the efficacy of dietary fats in preventing scours in calves.
• Further research into optimal fat sources and physical properties for calf starter diets is warranted.