Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
3-1-2024
Year of Publication
2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
Agriculture, Food and Environment
Department/School/Program
Animal Science
First Advisor
Joao Costa
Second Advisor
Eric Vanzant
Abstract
Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is a digestive disorder in ruminants characterized by extended periods of low reticulorumen pH. This digestive disorder is commonly observed in ruminants fed diets with elevated proportions of non-fibrous carbohydrates. This disorder has been vastly studied in adult dairy cattle and has been associated with losses in milk production, changes in feeding behavior, damage to the gastrointestinal tract, and premature culling. Although vastly studied in adult cattle, there is limited research on the effects of SARA in calves. SARA might be prevented by modifying the reticulorumen environment with probiotic supplements containing lactateutilizing bacteria such as Megasphaera elsdenii. Megasphaera elsdenii is a naturally occurring rumen microorganism known for stabilizing ruminal pH. Thus, the objectives of this dissertation were to investigate the effects of Megasphaera elsdenii supplementation strategies to prevent SARA in cows and calves in commercial situations, therefore improving animal welfare and performance. The first objective of this dissertation was to investigate the effects of Megasphaera elsdenii supplementation via oral drench on reticulorumen pH, milk production, and feed intake and behavior of lactating cows undergoing a ruminal acidosis challenge. The second objective of this dissertation was to evaluate the effects of early-life Megasphaera elsdenii supplementation on feed intake, performance, and feeding behavior patterns of dairy-beef crossbred calves. Lastly, the third objective of this dissertation was to evaluate how early-life Megasphaera elsdenii supplementation with an oral probiotic capsule affects the reticulorumen fermentation and development in dairy-beef crossbred calves. Overall strategic nutritional interventions with Megasphaera elsdenii supplementation were beneficial for cows and calves under SARA risk. As cows receiving the probiotic experienced shorter and less intense SARA when compared to control cows during a SARA challenge. Furthermore, calves supplemented with Megasphaera elsdenii at early production stages displayed greater feed intake, weight gain, and superior reticulorumen development when compared to control calves. Future research should investigate the effects of Megasphaera elsdenii supplementation on the reticulorumen microbiome of cows and calves under SARA risk.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2024.27
Funding Information
This study was supported by Axiota Animal Health from 2016-2023
Recommended Citation
Mazon Correa Alves, Gustavo, "STRATEGIC NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTIONS WITH PROBIOTICS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO PERFORMANCE, FEEDING BEHAVIOR, AND RETICULORUMEN ENVIRONMENT IN COWS AND CALVES UNDER SUBACUTE RUMINAL ACIDOSIS RISK" (2024). Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences. 149.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/animalsci_etds/149
