Supplemental ascorbic acid and prevention of neonatal calf diarrhoea

Abstract

The experiment evaluated the influence of ascorbic acid on the prevention of neonatal calf diarrhoea. Thirty-five Holstein newborn calves were used in the experiment. Ascorbic acid was administered orally to the trial group calves (n = 25) as follows: three times 1000 mg a day during the first week; three times 500 mg a day during the second week; and three times 250 mg a day during the third week. No ascorbic acid was administered to control group (n = 10). Calves of both groups were allowed to take sufficient colostrum during the first hours of life and they were fed 4.5 liters of milk/d during the first three weeks. Jugular blood was collected in EDTA containing vial at 7, 14, 21 days of age. Diarrhoea was observed in two calves (8%) among the trial group and four calves (40%) among the control group and calves with diarrhoea were excluded from analysis. Mean plasma ascorbic acid values in control group during the first, second and third weeks (45.61 ± 2.80 μmol·l-1, 40.81 ± 3.47 μmol·l-1, 40.81 ± 3.47 μmol·l-1, respectively) were significantly lower than values in trial group (88.63 ± 6.07 μmol·l-1, 79.67 ± 5.70 μmol·l-1, 79.67 ± 5.70 μmol·l-1, respectively; p < 0.001). Moreover, plasma ascorbic acid values for calves without diarrhoea were significantly higher than plasma ascorbic acid values for calves suffering from diarrhoea (p < 0.05). Supplementation of neonatal calves with ascorbic acid has a potential for the prevention of neonatal enteritis.