• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.16.1-16.11
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• 2018

Background: In their first days of life, dairy calves in artificial rearing systems often have difficulty using an artificial teat for feeding. Methods: We examined the age at which calves are able to stand up voluntarily and suckle as well as their suckling behavior when presented with a plain dry teat versus a dry teat modified with a presumably attractive odor or taste substance. Single-housed newborn dairy calves (n = 51) were presented for ten consecutive days with a two-minute two-choice test, in which suckling time was recorded for 1) a plain (control) teat versus a glucose-coated teat (taste test) and 2) a plain teat versus a teat with a "Freshly Cut Grass" odor (odor test). Results: On average, the calves were able to stand up voluntarily and suckle from the second or third day of age on. The "Freshly Cut Grass" odor had no significant effect on their suckling behavior. In contrast, the calves showed a significant preference for suckling the glucose-coated teat and displayed a significantly longer total suckling time in the taste test compared to the odor test. There were no significant differences between sexes regarding suckling behavior. Conclusion: The results of the present study show that glucose had a significant effect on the calves' teat preference and significantly increased total suckling time with a dry artificial teat. As such, glucose may increase suckling motivation in non-efficient drinkers or ill calves with low motivation to suckle.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 2007

In order to evaluation of prevalence of rotavirus and/or coronavirus, forty suckling Korean indigenous calves (between 2 and 98 days old) with acute diarrhea were investigated by the immunochromatographic rapid test in the field (veterinary practice) on October and on December 2006. Rotavirus and coronavirus were detected in 13 (32.5%) and 8 (20.0%) of the fecal samples from diarrheal calves, respectively. The highest mortality rate in diarrheal calves occurred in the neonatal period from 2 to 7 days old. Totally, 40.0% of diarrheal calves showing acute enteritis were not detected with rotavirus and/or coronavirus. The rotavirus infection rate was significantly difference (p<0.05) between October and December, and the detection rate of rotavirus was bigger than that of coronavirus. These results suggested that rotavirus can be frequently associated with acute diarrhea of suckling calves and affected with changes of temperature.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1662-1668
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• 2015

We investigated differences between effects of natural- and bucket-suckling methods on basal serum oxytocin (OT) and cortisol concentrations, and the effect of OT concentration on affiliative and investigative behavior of calves to a novel object. Ten Japanese Black calves, balanced with birth order, were allocated evenly to natural-suckling (NS) and bucket suckling (BS) groups. Blood samples were collected at the ages of 1 and 2 months (1 week after weaning) calves, and serum OT and cortisol concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and enzymeimmunoassay tests, respectively. Each calf at the age of 2 months (2 weeks after weaning) was released into an open-field with a calf decoy, and its investigative and affiliative behaviors were recorded for 20 minutes. In 1-month-old calves, the basal serum OT concentration ($25.5{\pm}4.9$ [mean${\pm}$standard deviation, pg/mL]) of NS was significantly higher than that of BS ($16.9{\pm}6.7$) (p<0.05), whereas the basal cortisol concentration ($5.8{\pm}2.5$ [mean${\pm}$standard deviation, ng/mL]) of NS was significantly lower than that in BS ($10.0{\pm}2.8$) (p<0.05). Additionally, a negative correlation was noted between serum OT and cortisol concentrations in 1-month-old calves (p = 0.06). Further, the higher serum OT concentration the calves had at 1 month old, the more investigative the calves were at 2 months old but not affiliative in the open-field with a calf decoy. Thus, we concluded that the natural suckling method from a dam elevates the basal serum OT concentration in calves, and high serum OT concentrations induce investigative behavior and attenuate cortisol concentrations.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1174-1183
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the provision of a protein-rich supplement on productive performance, and metabolic profile on grazing suckling female beef calves in tropical conditions during 150 d of experimentation. Methods: Fifty-six Nellore suckling female calves, and their respective dams were distributed in a completely randomised design and made to undergo two treatments as follows: UNS (without supplementation), and SUP (supplementation with 5 g/kg body weight [BW] of a protein supplement). Throughout the experiment, animal performance and metabolic profile were evaluated. Also, ureagenesis and gluconeogenesis were assessed for gene expression. Results: SUP female calves showed a higher voluntary intake (p≤0.03) of the diet components evaluated, digestibility of organic matter (p≤0.02) and microbial nitrogen production (MICN; p≤0.02) compared to UNS female calves. In its turn, serum urea nitrogen (p≤0.01) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (p≤0.03) levels and ureagenesis (p≤0.04) increased in SUP female calves compared to UNS female calves. Blood glucose and triglyceride levels were not affected by supplementation. The average daily gain (ADG) from SUP female calves was higher (p≤0.02) compared with UNS female calves. However, supplementation did not affect the body measures of the animals. Conclusion: In summary, provision of a protein-rich supplement improves the intake and nutrients digestibility, ADG and final BW and increases metabolic indicators of the protein status in grazing suckling female beef calves in tropical conditions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.68-76
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• 1999

A formal survey was carried out in Nharira-Lancashire areas located in Chivhu to assess the calf rearing systems practiced in smallholder dairy farming areas of Zimbabwe. A total of 47 farmers, collectively owning 305 cows and 194 calves of various breeds, participated in the survey. All the farmers allowed their calves to suckle their dams all day to obtain colostrum. The colostrums intake period was significantly (p < 0.05) shorter (5.2 vs 4.1 days) in the small scale commercial area (SSCA) compared to communal area (CA). Milk was first sold to the Nharira-Lancashire Milk Centre a day after the colostrum intake period ended. Most of the CA (91.3%) and SSCA (77.8%) farmers penned their cows and calves together at night during the colostrum intake period. Thereafter the calves were penned separate from their dams. After colostrum intake, two types of calf suckling systems were practised; twice a day suckling and twice a day then changed to once a day suckling. In both systems, suckling was allowed for 30 minutes after the cows had been hand milked. There was no significant (p < 0.05) difference in the mean weaning age of calves between the CA and SSCA (5.8 vs 5.4 months). The most common weaning method was through separation of the calves from the dams. The limitaitions to calf production in Chivhu were the prohibitively high costs of calf meals, poor feed resources during the dry season, a general lack of knowledge on calf rearing diseases and inappropriate calf housing.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.984-992
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of milk supplemented with Sel-Plex on thyroid hormones, rectal temperature, plasma glucose and cholesterol concentrations, and body weight in suckling calves. Ten Holstein suckling male calves of approximately 1 month of age were selected and randomly allocated to one of two groups and fed either unsupplemented milk (control) or milk supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg DM Se from Sel-Plex (treated). The animals received treated milk and free choice starter for two months. Dry matter intake for each individual animal was recorded daily throughout the study. The calves were weighed and blood samples were taken weekly. Plasma concentrations of triiodothyronine ($T_{3}$), thyroxin ($T_{4}$) and $T_{3}$-Uptake were determined using radioimmunoassay kits. Plasma cholesterol and glucose concentrations were determined by enzymatic-colorimetric methods. Rectal temperature was recorded at blood sampling time. During the experiment, ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded at the time of blood sampling and every four hours. Treatment significantly (p<0.01) affected the concentration of $T_{3}$, free $T_{3}$ index ($FT_{3}I$) and ratio of $T_{3}$:$T_{4}$ in plasma. The plasma concentrations of $T_{3}$ in treated calves were 33% higher than in the control. The plasma concentrations of $T_{4}$ (p<0.05), glucose (p<0.01) and cholesterol (p<0.01) were decreased in the treated group. Calves fed Sel-Plex had higher rectal temperature (p<0.01). Plasma free $T_{4}$ index (FT4I) did not differ significantly between the two groups. An increase in body weight was observed (p<0.09) in the treated group. The results indicated that milk fortified with Sel-Plex could increase tissue conversion of $T_{4}$ to $T_{3}$ and therefore improve thermometabolism in suckling calves.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 1989

The effects of the serum total protein and immunoglobulin levels of the colostrumconferred Korean native calves at 2 days of age on the disease incidence during the suckling period were studied. The results obtained were summerized as follows: 1. Serum total protein, total immunoglobulin, IgG, and IgM levels of 6 Korean native claves died from septicemia were lower than those of calves survived (p<0.05). 2. Korean native calves having low serum total protein and immunoglobulins were affected with diarrhea earlier in life, when compared with calves having high serum levels (p<0.05). 3. Korea native calves having low serum total protein were affected with bronchopneumonia earlier in life, when compared with calves having high serum levels (p<0.05). 4. Korean native calves having low serum neutralizing antibody titers to bovine viral diarrhea virus had high incidence rate of BVD, when compared with calves having high serum neutralizing antibody titers (p<0.05).

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.154-161
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• 1990

This survey was carried out to investigate the fatality of the newborn beef calves in three ranches in Cheju area. The results were summarized as follows : 1. The fatality rate was 5.8%(67 calves) from the total 1, 160 calves examined. 2. There were pneumonia(46%), enteritis(16%), suckling disorder(13%), theileriasis (4%). and hypomagnesemia(4%) in dead calves. 3. Most of dead calves(78%) with 52cases died within 30days postparturition. 4. Bacteria-induced fatal diseases in newborn calves within 30 days postparturition might be closely associated with maternal immunity by the lack of immnunoglobalin of strum.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1176-1181
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• 2005

This study investigated the effects of restricted suckling (RS) on some physiological and behavioural stress parameters compared to temporal weaning (TW). Twenty Brahman (Bos indicus) cow-calf pairs were assigned to one of two groups: Calves in the RS group were limited to suckle their dams once daily for 30 min during days 30 to 33, while calves in the TW group were removed from their dams during days 59 to 62 postpartum. Heart and respiratory rates, serum cortisol concentration and body temperature were registered in cows and calves. In addition, the number of steps was also registered in calves. All parameters were recorded 24, 48 and 72 h after the beginning of the two treatments, respectively. In TW calves, higher (p<0.05) cortisol concentration and number of steps were recorded in the 1st samples and 1$^{st}$ and 2$^{nd}$ observations, respectively. No difference was found in body temperature between treatments. However, respiration and heart rates differed in the 1$^{st}$ and 2$^{nd}$ observations, respectively. In general, a significant decrease (p<0.05) in these three parameters was observed over time. In cows, no differences were found in cortisol concentration or body temperature between treatments or with time. Heart and respiratory rates were lower (p<0.05) in the TW treatment only 24 h after beginning of treatment. It was concluded that (a) RS resulted in less behavioural and physiological indices of distress compared to TW in calves, although in general, differences were found only in some variables, mainly during the 1$^{st}$ day following start of the treatment, and there in a chance of age effects. (b) Cows were less affected than their young, regardless of the treatment applied.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.255-260
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• 1990

This study was conducted to examine the enteropathogens and clinical aspects of diarrhea of the 211 Korean native calves during the suckling period. The experimental results were summerized as follows: 1. The 206 Korean native calves (97.6%) were affected with diarrhea during the suckling period. 2. Of 156 diarrheal feces tested, Rotavirus were detected from 108(69.2%) feces of $K^+99$ E coli were detected from 23(14.7%) feces and Eimeria spp were detected from 33(21.2%) feces. But Salmonella spp and Cryptosporidium spp were not detected. 3. Rotavirus were detected from 2 to 84 days of life, $K^+99$ E coli were detected from 5 to 54 days and Eimeria spp were detected from 33 to 84 days of life. 4. Physical appearances of the diarrheal feces were not affected specifically according to the enteropathogens, but were affected by the severity of diarrhea and the diets.