Effects of Galacto-oligosaccharides Supplementation on Health and Mineral Status in Dairy Calves

Abstract

Data from 54 Holstein calves were collected to clarify the relationships between energy, protein and mineral status and fecal consistency in newborn calves at 6 day of age in Experiment 1. The occurrence of diarrhea decreased plasma glucose of calves at 6 days of age, and the rapid loss of P, Mg, Na and K into the feces was due to the development of diarrhea in calves. Ten female calves at 4 days of age were assigned to two groups in a 28-days control and supplemented with 20g of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS)/day in Experiment 2. The diarrhea occurred in 4 untreated calves and 3 calves treated with GOS during 3 to 4 weeks after the treatment. Daily gains and rectal temperatures of calves were not affected by the GOS supplementation. Fecal DM of calves treated with GOS was higher than that of untreated calves, but fecal DM of the calves untreated and treated with GOS at week 4 was below 15%. The supplementation of GOS decreased plasma NEFA and keton bodies as well as fecal Na and K and increased plasma cholesterol. These results suggest that GOS supplementation improves energy and electrolyte status of calves, although the diarrhea occurred in the calves treated with GOS.