Effects of ruminal pH on gene expression in the rumen epithelium, peripheral blood mononuclear cell subpopulations, and blood metabolites from Holstein calves during weaning transition

Nutrigenomic Interventions to Address Metabolic Stress and Related Disorders in Transition Cows

For dairy cattle, the period involving a shift from late pregnancy to early lactation termed transition or periparturient is an excruciating phase. Health-related disorders are likely to happen in this time frame. Timely postpartum and metabolic adjustments to this new physical state demands correct management strategies to fulfill the cow's needs for a successful transition to this phase. Among the management strategies, one of the most researched methods for managing transition-related stress is nutritional supplementation. Dietary components directly or indirectly affect the expression of various genes that are believed to be involved in various stress-related responses during this phase. Nutrigenomics, an interdisciplinary approach that combines nutritional science with omics technologies, opens new avenues for studying the genome's complicated interactions with food. This revolutionary technique emphasizes the importance of food-gene interactions on various physiological and metabolic mechanisms. In animal sciences, nutrigenomics aims to promote the welfare of livestock animals and enhance their commercially important qualities through nutritional interventions. To this end, an increasing volume of research shows that nutritional supplementation can be effectively used to manage the metabolic stress dairy cows undergo during the transition period. These nutritional supplements, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, dietary amino acids, and phytochemicals, have been shown to modulate energy homeostasis through different pathways, leading to addressing metabolic issues in transition cows.

Invited Review: Nutritional regulation of gut function in dairy calves: From colostrum to weaning

Purpose

Published literature regarding calf nutrition was reviewed to create an information base for the implementation of proper nutritional management to maximize health and productivity.

Sources

The main source of data and information for this review was peer-reviewed literature.

Synthesis

Feeding a sufficient volume of colostrum during the first hours of life is crucial to calf health and survival; however, less is known about transition milk feeding and the potential benefits of the myriad of bioactive compounds it contains. After feeding colostrum and transition milk, calves are susceptible to diarrhea when moved onto high amounts of milk, and antibiotic use is often necessary to decrease disease. Feeding an elevated plane of milk nutrition results in increased ADG and, in some studies, increased future milk production. Thus, this nutritional strategy is recommended; however, weaning calves from high volumes of milk represents massive changes in the structure and microbiology of the gastrointestinal tract.

Conclusions and Applications

Colostrum and transition milk contain an abundance of bioactive molecules that can positively affect gut development and microbiota. There is significant potential for the use of novel feeding strategies and microbial-based products as alternatives to antibiotics. Calves fed an elevated plane of nutrition in the first month of life have greater productivity and growth. However, weaning should take place later in life. Moreover, applying a proper step-down feeding protocol is recommended, as it allows calves to intake and digest sufficient solid feed for growth and minimize distress at weaning.