Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
Morbidity rates in young calves often reach 25%. A strong link to calf morbidity is successful transfer of passive immunity via colostral antibodies in the first 24h of life. Currently, failure of passive transfer (FPT) often ranges from 10-35% despite use of good quality colostrum, suggesting consumed colostrum is absorbed ineffectively. In recent studies, efficiency of antibody absorption ranged from 25-50%, which needs improvement.
Recent studies cast doubt on assumptions that gut closure occurs at 24h of life, instead suggesting gut closures is responsive to nutritional signals that induce maturation of the small intestine cells. The objective of this work is to determine if manipulating cell turnover and maturation can promote absorption of colostral antibodies.
Research will use butyrate and monensin to speed up and slow down, respectively, the rate of intestinal cell maturation and determine its impact on colostral antibody absorption.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
Manipulation of gut closure could lead to advancements in calf feeding practices and a reduction of FPT rates, to the benefit of the Alberta dairy industry.
How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?
Results will be disseminated through presentations, factsheets, workshops, and industry seminars such as the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar and the Pacific Northwest Animal Nutrition Conference.
The research community will be reached through presentations at the Canadian Society for Animal Science, the annual meeting of the American Dairy Science Association, and publications in relevant journals.