Background
A calf's transformation from a pseudo-monogastric to a fully developed ruminant is a significant challenge. Volatile fatty acids, and butyrate in particular, drive ruminal development in terms of size, length and density of ruminal papillae. Previous controlled studies had shown increased starter intake and improved average daily gain (ADG) following Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 41125 administration to calves.
The aim of this study was to address the health, growth performance and survival benefits of an M. elsdenii capsule in a large-scale study under commercial conditions.
Materials and methods
- 748 Holstein female calves, birth weight 30–60 kg (38.8 ± 4.3 kg).
- One commercial herd in Uruguay.
- Randomised treatment: control (CON, n = 397) and treated (LACT, n = 351).
- LACT received a single oral capsule with 5.0 × 109 CFU of M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 (LactiproFLX®, Axiota Animal Health) between days 36 and 42. CON remained untreated.
- Weaning at day 62 ± 2; end of the post-weaning period at day 109 ± 4.
Nutritional plan. Transition milk for the first 5 days, then milk replacer until day 63, stepped up to 8 L/d on day 15; from day 43 the milk allowance was gradually reduced until complete weaning on day 63. Pelleted starter (21.7% CP, 7.0% fat, 26.1% starch) was offered ad libitum from day 15. Post-weaning: TMR (22.4% CP, 26.0% starch).
Statistical analysis. The association of treatment group with ADG was calculated using linear regression models, while the association with survival (risk of death or being sold for beef) was assessed with a Cox proportional hazard model. Differences in disease prevalence between treatment groups were assessed using a chi-square test.
Results
| Variable | Control | LACT | SEM | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth weight | 38.8 | 39.0 | 0.22 | 0.46 |
| Weaning weight | 77.2 | 79.0 | 0.50 | 0.01 |
| Final weight | 120.6 | 123.7 | 0.96 | 0.02 |
| Period | Control | LACT | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth to weaning | 0.614 | 0.642 | 0.01 |
| Weaning to end of post-weaning | 0.906 | 0.937 | 0.18 |
| Birth to end of post-weaning | 0.746 | 0.773 | 0.02 |
| Condition | Control | LACT | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diarrhoea | 4.3% | 5.1% | > 0.2 |
| Pneumonia | 18.4% | 14.8% | > 0.2 |
Survival to day 120. Control calves had 3.26 greater odds of dying or being sold for beef than LACT calves (HR 1.61–6.60; p < 0.001).
Gains in body weight were significant at weaning and at the end of the post-weaning period, and the ADG advantage held over the full birth-to-end period. The ADG difference measured only over the weaning-to-end window did not reach significance (p = 0.18), and neither did the differences in diarrhoea or pneumonia (p > 0.2), where diarrhoea was numerically higher in the treated group.
Conclusions
A single oral capsule of M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 was associated with higher growth performance pre-weaning, higher growth performance post-weaning, and greater survival.
This page is a transcription of the poster above, prepared so that the full results — including those that did not reach statistical significance — are readable, searchable and accessible without opening the PDF.
Study funded by Axiota Animal Health, manufacturer of LactiproFLX®. Two of the authors are employees of the company.