Effect of an Ultra-Diluted Complex on Health, Growth Performance, and Blood Parameters of Pre-Weaned Dairy Calves

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an ultra-diluted complex on the health status, growth performance, and blood parameters of dairy calves during the preweaning phase in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. During a 75-period trial, thirty-four Holstein newborn calves at the second day...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mellory M. Martins, Thiago H. da Silva, Andre S. V. Palma, Bruna L. de Noronha, Emanuel R. Lemos, Iuli C. S. B. Guimarães, Nara. R. B. Cônsolo, Arlindo S. Netto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Veterinary Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/2/128
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850078127294775296
author Mellory M. Martins
Thiago H. da Silva
Andre S. V. Palma
Bruna L. de Noronha
Emanuel R. Lemos
Iuli C. S. B. Guimarães
Nara. R. B. Cônsolo
Arlindo S. Netto
author_facet Mellory M. Martins
Thiago H. da Silva
Andre S. V. Palma
Bruna L. de Noronha
Emanuel R. Lemos
Iuli C. S. B. Guimarães
Nara. R. B. Cônsolo
Arlindo S. Netto
author_sort Mellory M. Martins
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an ultra-diluted complex on the health status, growth performance, and blood parameters of dairy calves during the preweaning phase in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. During a 75-period trial, thirty-four Holstein newborn calves at the second day of life were completely randomized individually into two treatments: (1) control (CON), oral saline supplementation (5 mL/d); and (2) oral supplementation with 5 mL/d of a ultra-diluted complex (UD): Sulfur: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>60</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Viola tricolor: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>14</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Caladium seguinum: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>30</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Zincum oxydatum: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>30</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Phosphorus: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>60</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Cardus marianus: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>60</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Colibacillinum: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>30</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Podophyllum: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>30</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Vehicle: alcohol. Free access to water and a starter was ensured during the trial period. Feed intake and fecal and health scores were monitored daily. Calves were weighed and measured weekly. Blood samples were collected at enrollment on the first day and every 21 days until the 75th day, 2 h after morning milk feeding, and tested for hematology, blood urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total protein albumin, globulin, and creatinine. At 70 days of age, calves were disbudded following the standard management practices of the farm. The inflammatory profile, including Immunoglobulin A, Immunoglobulin G, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, and haptoglobin, was quantified in serum samples. The ultra-diluted complex was ineffective in reducing the incidence of diseases, starter feed intake, daily weight gain, and body measurements and inflammatory profile. Blood parameters were also not affected. Thus, the ultra-diluted complex was inefficient in reducing the incidence of diseases and did not affect the performance and metabolites of pre-weaned Holstein calves.
format Article
id doaj-art-7979cbb040284bb68c3d6eea679022a5
institution DOAJ
issn 2306-7381
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Veterinary Sciences
spelling doaj-art-7979cbb040284bb68c3d6eea679022a52025-08-20T02:45:38ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-02-0112212810.3390/vetsci12020128Effect of an Ultra-Diluted Complex on Health, Growth Performance, and Blood Parameters of Pre-Weaned Dairy CalvesMellory M. Martins0Thiago H. da Silva1Andre S. V. Palma2Bruna L. de Noronha3Emanuel R. Lemos4Iuli C. S. B. Guimarães5Nara. R. B. Cônsolo6Arlindo S. Netto7Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, BrazilDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, BrazilThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of an ultra-diluted complex on the health status, growth performance, and blood parameters of dairy calves during the preweaning phase in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. During a 75-period trial, thirty-four Holstein newborn calves at the second day of life were completely randomized individually into two treatments: (1) control (CON), oral saline supplementation (5 mL/d); and (2) oral supplementation with 5 mL/d of a ultra-diluted complex (UD): Sulfur: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>60</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Viola tricolor: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>14</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Caladium seguinum: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>30</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Zincum oxydatum: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>30</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Phosphorus: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>60</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Cardus marianus: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>60</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Colibacillinum: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>30</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Podophyllum: <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>30</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> + Vehicle: alcohol. Free access to water and a starter was ensured during the trial period. Feed intake and fecal and health scores were monitored daily. Calves were weighed and measured weekly. Blood samples were collected at enrollment on the first day and every 21 days until the 75th day, 2 h after morning milk feeding, and tested for hematology, blood urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total protein albumin, globulin, and creatinine. At 70 days of age, calves were disbudded following the standard management practices of the farm. The inflammatory profile, including Immunoglobulin A, Immunoglobulin G, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, and haptoglobin, was quantified in serum samples. The ultra-diluted complex was ineffective in reducing the incidence of diseases, starter feed intake, daily weight gain, and body measurements and inflammatory profile. Blood parameters were also not affected. Thus, the ultra-diluted complex was inefficient in reducing the incidence of diseases and did not affect the performance and metabolites of pre-weaned Holstein calves.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/2/128acute phase proteindairy calfhealthhomeopathyHolstein calves
spellingShingle Mellory M. Martins
Thiago H. da Silva
Andre S. V. Palma
Bruna L. de Noronha
Emanuel R. Lemos
Iuli C. S. B. Guimarães
Nara. R. B. Cônsolo
Arlindo S. Netto
Effect of an Ultra-Diluted Complex on Health, Growth Performance, and Blood Parameters of Pre-Weaned Dairy Calves
Veterinary Sciences
acute phase protein
dairy calf
health
homeopathy
Holstein calves
title Effect of an Ultra-Diluted Complex on Health, Growth Performance, and Blood Parameters of Pre-Weaned Dairy Calves
title_full Effect of an Ultra-Diluted Complex on Health, Growth Performance, and Blood Parameters of Pre-Weaned Dairy Calves
title_fullStr Effect of an Ultra-Diluted Complex on Health, Growth Performance, and Blood Parameters of Pre-Weaned Dairy Calves
title_full_unstemmed Effect of an Ultra-Diluted Complex on Health, Growth Performance, and Blood Parameters of Pre-Weaned Dairy Calves
title_short Effect of an Ultra-Diluted Complex on Health, Growth Performance, and Blood Parameters of Pre-Weaned Dairy Calves
title_sort effect of an ultra diluted complex on health growth performance and blood parameters of pre weaned dairy calves
topic acute phase protein
dairy calf
health
homeopathy
Holstein calves
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/2/128
work_keys_str_mv AT mellorymmartins effectofanultradilutedcomplexonhealthgrowthperformanceandbloodparametersofpreweaneddairycalves
AT thiagohdasilva effectofanultradilutedcomplexonhealthgrowthperformanceandbloodparametersofpreweaneddairycalves
AT andresvpalma effectofanultradilutedcomplexonhealthgrowthperformanceandbloodparametersofpreweaneddairycalves
AT brunaldenoronha effectofanultradilutedcomplexonhealthgrowthperformanceandbloodparametersofpreweaneddairycalves
AT emanuelrlemos effectofanultradilutedcomplexonhealthgrowthperformanceandbloodparametersofpreweaneddairycalves
AT iulicsbguimaraes effectofanultradilutedcomplexonhealthgrowthperformanceandbloodparametersofpreweaneddairycalves
AT nararbconsolo effectofanultradilutedcomplexonhealthgrowthperformanceandbloodparametersofpreweaneddairycalves
AT arlindosnetto effectofanultradilutedcomplexonhealthgrowthperformanceandbloodparametersofpreweaneddairycalves