University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Alexander Starzinger
(2009):
Effekt einer Zulage von Zitronensäure oder mittelkettigen Fettsäuren in der Tränke von Aufzuchtkälbern auf zootechnische Leistungen, visuelle und mikrobielle Kotbeschaffenheit, hämatologische Parameter und die mRNA Expression inflammatorischer Markergene im Blut.
Master / Diploma Thesis,
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 102.
UB BOKU
obvsg
- Abstract:
- In terms of calf rearing, one is often confronted with various diseases, especially in the first weeks of life. One of the most important problems as far as young calves are concerned is diarrhea. Using organic acids can support the reduction of harmful germs because of their antimicrobial effects. In the following study the effects of feeding citric acid and medium-chain fatty acids compared to a control group in breeding calves should be investigated. Approaching this issue a trial with 24 male calves was performed. The animals were divided evenly into three different groups: a control (without addition of organic acid in the top dressing), a citric acid group (3 g citric acid /animal and day in the top dressing) or medium-chain fatty acid group (MCFA, 0.6 g MCFA /animal and day). The calves were feed with unskimmed milk according to a restricted feeding plan; concentrate and hay were provided ad libitum. During the whole trial, which was performed from the 2nd to the 8th postnatal week, zootechnical parameters (body weight and feed intake) were registered. Additionally, fecal samples for bacterial colony count (total aerobes and anerobes, lactic acid bacteria, enterobacteria, etc) and blood samples for the determination of haematology, differential blood count, fatty acid composition and gene expression analysis (NFкB, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10) were taken in the 4th week of trial. For the impact of citric acid or medium-chain fatty acids on zootechnical performance of calves over the whole study period, no changes in daily weight gain and feed intake were observed. However, the groups receiving organic acids consumed more hay and concentrate at an earlier stage of trial than the other groups. The microbiological and molecular biological parameters showed a reduction of germs and a relief of the immune system (downregulation of marker gene IL-10). Particularly the incidence of potentially pathogenic gram-positive bacteria, for instance Clostridium perfringes (-30 % in the MCFA group in comparison to the control group) was much lower without declining the numbers of commensal gram-positive bacteria.
- Beurteilende(r): Windisch Wilhelm Matthias