Effect of supplemental lactoferrin with ferrous iron on iron status of newborn calves

Data for 18 male and 18 female calves, born from primiparous and multiparous cows, were collected to determine the effect of supplemental lactoferrin and FeSO4 for 5 d after parturition on the Fe status of calves. Dietary treatments were 1) untreated, 2) 40 mg of Fe/d as FeSO4, and 3) 40 mg of Fe as FeSO4 plus 5 g of lactoferrin/d. Blood hematocrit and hemoglobin of calves born from primiparous cows at d 1 of age were lower than those of calves born from multiparous cows, but not different from those of their dams. Blood hematocrit and hemoglobin of male calves at d 1 of age were lower than those of female calves. Plasma Fe of primiparous cows at parturition was lower than that of multiparous cows, but plasma Fe of calves was not affected by parity of dam and sex of calf. Blood hematocrit and hemoglobin of untreated calves decreased from 1 to 10 d of age. Blood hematocrit and hemoglobin of calves treated with Fe of Fe plus lactoferrin increased from 2 to 10 d of age. Blood hematocrit and hemoglobin of calves treated with Fe plus lactoferrin were higher than those of calves treated with Fe at d 6 of age. Plasma Fe of calves treated with Fe or Fe plus lactoferrin increased temporarily at d 2 of age. Plasma Fe of calves treated with Fe plus lactoferrin at d 2 of age was lower than that of calves treated with Fe, but, at d 6 and 10 of age, plasma Fe of calves treated with Fe plus lactoferrin were higher.