What can't colostrum do? Exploring the effects of supplementing colostrum after the first day of life: A narrative review*

The objective of this narrative review is to explore the nontraditional uses of colostrum in dairy calves beyond the first and second feeding after birth. Colostrum is well established as a crucial component of early life management in dairy calves, providing essential antibodies for passive immunit...

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Main Authors: David L. Renaud, Michael A. Steele
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:JDS Communications
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666910224001996
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author David L. Renaud
Michael A. Steele
author_facet David L. Renaud
Michael A. Steele
author_sort David L. Renaud
collection DOAJ
description The objective of this narrative review is to explore the nontraditional uses of colostrum in dairy calves beyond the first and second feeding after birth. Colostrum is well established as a crucial component of early life management in dairy calves, providing essential antibodies for passive immunity. However, recent studies suggest that extending colostrum supplementation beyond the initial feedings, as well as incorporating transition milk, can yield benefits for calf health and development. Research indicates that such supplementation may lead to enhancements in gut development, improved health scores, and reduced incidence of diseases such as diarrhea and respiratory disease. Furthermore, recent findings have highlighted colostrum's potential to aid in the recovery from diarrhea and support calves during the weaning phase. Despite these findings, the exact mechanisms behind these benefits are still unclear, necessitating further research. Additionally, studies with larger sample sizes and varied housing conditions are needed to fully elucidate colostrum's benefits beyond the first day of life.
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spelling doaj-art-6180faa30c214fd5855bd2e6ed58ece82025-08-20T02:13:54ZengElsevierJDS Communications2666-91022025-05-016346947310.3168/jdsc.2024-0708What can't colostrum do? Exploring the effects of supplementing colostrum after the first day of life: A narrative review*David L. Renaud0Michael A. Steele1Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1; Corresponding authorDepartment of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1The objective of this narrative review is to explore the nontraditional uses of colostrum in dairy calves beyond the first and second feeding after birth. Colostrum is well established as a crucial component of early life management in dairy calves, providing essential antibodies for passive immunity. However, recent studies suggest that extending colostrum supplementation beyond the initial feedings, as well as incorporating transition milk, can yield benefits for calf health and development. Research indicates that such supplementation may lead to enhancements in gut development, improved health scores, and reduced incidence of diseases such as diarrhea and respiratory disease. Furthermore, recent findings have highlighted colostrum's potential to aid in the recovery from diarrhea and support calves during the weaning phase. Despite these findings, the exact mechanisms behind these benefits are still unclear, necessitating further research. Additionally, studies with larger sample sizes and varied housing conditions are needed to fully elucidate colostrum's benefits beyond the first day of life.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666910224001996
spellingShingle David L. Renaud
Michael A. Steele
What can't colostrum do? Exploring the effects of supplementing colostrum after the first day of life: A narrative review*
JDS Communications
title What can't colostrum do? Exploring the effects of supplementing colostrum after the first day of life: A narrative review*
title_full What can't colostrum do? Exploring the effects of supplementing colostrum after the first day of life: A narrative review*
title_fullStr What can't colostrum do? Exploring the effects of supplementing colostrum after the first day of life: A narrative review*
title_full_unstemmed What can't colostrum do? Exploring the effects of supplementing colostrum after the first day of life: A narrative review*
title_short What can't colostrum do? Exploring the effects of supplementing colostrum after the first day of life: A narrative review*
title_sort what can t colostrum do exploring the effects of supplementing colostrum after the first day of life a narrative review
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666910224001996
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