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Thirty Holstein calves presented with infectious diarrhea during the second week following birth were utilized to evaluate the effects of a standardized product containing a combination of probiotics, β-glucans, and glyconutrients (GLY) in support of antibiotic therapy during the early rearing phase (day 7 to day 45 following birth). Treatments were 1) antibiotic therapy (trimethoprim and sulfas; ANTIB), and 2) ANTIB plus 5 g/calf per day GLY. Treatments did not affect diarrhea duration, averaging 16.7 days. However, GLY support decreased (P < 0.05) the mortality rate and increased (P < 0.05) live weight gain. Increased weight gain was attributable to enhanced (P < 0.05) consumption of calf starter. Supplemental GLY increased (P < 0.05) serum glucose and lowered (P < 0.05) serum urea nitrogen, nonesterified fatty acids, and cortisol concentration. We conclude that daily provision of 5 g of a standardized product containing probiotics, β-glucans, and glyconutrients to diarrheic calves under antibiotic therapy will promote health and enhance early growth performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-one Holstein bull calves (368 ± 5.2 kg) were used in order to evaluate the effects of combining recombinant bovine growth hormone (bST) and anabolic implants on growth performance and dietary energetics. Steers were assigned (7 repetitions/treatment) to individual pens (16 m2) equipped with automatic waterers and 1.2 m fence-line feed bunks. The experiment lasted 56 days. Treatments were: 1) no bST, no implant; 2) implant; and 3) bST + implant. Compared to implanted cattle, the combination of exogenous bovine somatotropin and anabolic implants did not enhance growth performance or observed dietary energy. Compared to nonimplanted cattle, anabolic implants increased dry matter intake (DMI, 8.3%), average daily gain (ADG, 18.5%), gain efficiency (ADG:DMI; 7.9%), dietary net energy (6%), and apparent energy retention per unit of DMI (7%). Implantation reduced the estimated maintenance coefficients of intact Holstein calves by around 17%. The combinations of exogenous bovine somatotropin and anabolic implants did not enhance the growth performance or dietary energy of intact Holstein cattle fed a high-energy finishing diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-four male lambs (24.93 ± 0.93 kg) were used in order to evaluate the effects of chromium methionine (Cr) supplementation in high-energy finishing diets on the carcass characteristics and chemical composition of the longissimus muscle (LM). Treatments were 0.00, 0.60, 1.20, and 1.80 mg Cr/lamb daily. The experiment lasted 56 days. There were no effects of treatments on dry matter intake, feed to gain ratio, and final weight, which averaged 35.24 ± 1.01 kg. Supplemental Cr linearly decreased fat thickness enough to improve the estimated yield grade from 1.82 to 1.42 with no effect on the other carcass traits measured. Fat concentration in the LM decreased linearly as the level of Cr increased in diets, but protein concentration remain constant and so the protein/fat ratio in the LM increased. It is concluded that Cr supplementation has a modulating effect on carcasses by reducing fat; maximal response was reached at a daily dose of 1.80 mg Cr/head. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two steers (228 ±4.5 kg) equipped with "T" type cannulas in the proximal duodenum, duodenal-jejunal juncture, and distal ileum were used to measure transit time of chyme within the duodenum and jejunum. Steers were fed (as fed basis) with 5.75 kg of chopped alfalfa hay per day. The transit time was measured during 3 consecutive days using aniline dye, which was pulse-dosed via the duodenal and jejunal cannulas. The site of each cannula placement was confirmed and the small intestine was dissected and measured. Time required between the infusion of aniline dye into the proximal duodenal cannula and its appearance at the duodenal-jejunal and distal ileal cannulas was 2:56 ± 0.06 and 176:00 ± 4.21 min:s, respectively. The lengths of the duodenal, jejunal, and ileal segments of the small intestine were 135 ± 4, 2730 ± 127, and 110 ± 1 cm, respectively. The relative transit time of chyme within the duodenum and jejunum averaged 46 and 14 cm/min, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]