Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Gut microbiome colonization in newborn calves is key for long-term health, welfare, and productivity across a lifetime. This study aimed to investigate the impact of colostrum feeding on intestinal microbiota dynamics of beef-on-dairy calves during the first 21 days of life. Animals were randomly assigned to a colostrum-fed (n = 12) or a colostrum-deprived (n = 12) group. The colostrum-fed group received 2.8 liters of high-quality colostrum within six hours after birth. At eight days of age, intestinal inflammation was induced via oral inoculation with Salmonella Typhimurium in six calves from each group. Meconium and rectal swabs were collected at birth (day 0), days 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, and 21 of age. Microbiota diversity was analyzed based on 16S rRNA sequencing. Calves that received colostrum had greater microbial richness and diversity compared to colostrum-deprived calves. In response to the Salmonella Typhimurium inoculation, the diversity changes were more prominent in the colostrum-deprived compared to the colostrum-fed group. Our study highlights the importance of maternal colostrum in influencing a resilient and diverse intestinal microbiota composition, which in turn decreases the occurrence and intensity of enteric diseases in beef-on-dairy calves before weaning.
Author: Gade, Sravani
Institution: Texas Tech University
Language: English
Topic: Animal health and immunology
Subfield: Small Animals
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7058245167
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