Pre-weaning growth of red deer calves is not determined by ability of hinds to produce milk
G. K. Barrell A C , M. Wellby A , M. J. Ridgway A , G. W. Asher B and J. A. Archer B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, PO Box 84, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand.
B AgResearch Invermay, Private Bag 50-034, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand.
C Corresponding author. Email: graham.barrell@lincoln.ac.nz
Animal Production Science 52(7) 507-515 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN11257
Submitted: 26 October 2011 Accepted: 9 February 2012 Published: 5 April 2012
Abstract
Three experiments were carried out to determine whether growth of suckling red deer calves is determined by the potential of their mothers to produce milk. In the first experiment red deer hinds (n = 10, calves 6 weeks old) were treated either with bovine somatotrophin (bST, 54 mg s.c. injected every 2 weeks for 8 weeks then 108 mg every 2 weeks for a further 8 weeks) or saline. There was no effect of bST treatment on calf or hind liveweight, calf liveweight gain or body condition score of hinds. The second experiment used red and red-wapiti crossbred deer calves (n = 8–11) suckled by red deer dams that had been treated with bST or had received excipient only for 12 weeks from when the calves were 5 weeks old. Calf liveweight was affected by genotype (wapiti-red crossbreds were heavier than their red counterparts) but there was no effect of bST treatment of the hinds on calf growth in either of the genotypes. Although bST treatment of the suckled hinds elevated their plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration it had no effect on milk yield. A third experiment ruled out the possibility that bST ingested by calves in milk from treated hinds would have had any influence on growth of calves in the other experiments. From these results it is concluded that the inherent demand from suckling calves, rather than the ability of adequately nourished hinds to produce milk, determines growth rate of red deer calves from birth to weaning.
References
Aaron DK, Ely DG, Deweese WP, Fink E, Garrett JL (1998) Effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin administration on production characteristics of lactating ewes. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 281 [Abstract 1099].Arman P, Kay RNB, Goodall ED, Sharman GAM (1974) The composition and yield of milk from captive red deer (Cervus elaphus L.). Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 37, 67–84.
| The composition and yield of milk from captive red deer (Cervus elaphus L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE2cXkslGnsrc%3D&md5=3595363af4475b05e934e9a3c2cd1b53CAS |
Asher GW, Scott IC, O’Neill KT, Littlejohn RP (2005) Influence of level of nutrition during late pregnancy on reproductive productivity of red deer (2) Adult hinds gestating wapiti × red deer crossbred calves. Animal Reproduction Science 86, 285–296.
| Influence of level of nutrition during late pregnancy on reproductive productivity of red deer (2) Adult hinds gestating wapiti × red deer crossbred calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2M7jsFSisw%3D%3D&md5=00edccfb03fe5f001a7a14c679ffe9a3CAS |
Asher GW, Stevens D, Archer JA, Barrell GK, Scott IC, Ward JF, Littlejohn RP (2011) Energy and protein as nutritional drivers of lactation and calf growth of farmed red deer. Livestock Science 140, 8–16.
| Energy and protein as nutritional drivers of lactation and calf growth of farmed red deer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Audigé L, Wilson PR, Morris RS (1998) A body condition score and its use for farmed red deer hinds. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 41, 545–553.
| A body condition score and its use for farmed red deer hinds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baker RL, Carter AH, Morris CA, Johnson DL, Hunter JC (1986) Reciprocal crossbreeding of Angus and Hereford cattle. 1. Growth of heifers and steers from birth to the yearling stage. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 29, 421–431.
| Reciprocal crossbreeding of Angus and Hereford cattle. 1. Growth of heifers and steers from birth to the yearling stage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Balci F, Orman A (2008) The effects of short-term recombinant bovine somatotropin treatment on fattening performance, carcase composition and visceral organ weights in Karakaya lambs in Turkey. Tropical Animal Health and Production 40, 255–260.
| The effects of short-term recombinant bovine somatotropin treatment on fattening performance, carcase composition and visceral organ weights in Karakaya lambs in Turkey.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barrell GK, Archer JA, Wellby M, Ridgway M, Evans MJ (2009) Bovine somatotrophin stimulates milk production in red deer hinds. Animal Production Science 49, 619–623.
| Bovine somatotrophin stimulates milk production in red deer hinds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXntVGktLc%3D&md5=dbf248104617fcde186d6e87fcfa9983CAS |
Bass JJ, Hodgkinson SC, Breier BH, Carter WD, Gluckman PD (1992) Effects of bovine somatotrophin on insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin, growth and carcass composition of lambs. Livestock Production Science 31, 321–334.
| Effects of bovine somatotrophin on insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin, growth and carcass composition of lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Beatson N, Campbell A, Judson G (2000) ‘Deer Industry manual New Zealand.’ (Deer Master, South Canterbury and North Otago Branch of the New Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association: Timaru)
Butler-Hogg BW, Johnsson ID (1987) Bovine growth hormone in lambs: effects on carcass composition and tissue distribution in crossbred females. Animal Production 44, 117–124.
| Bovine growth hormone in lambs: effects on carcass composition and tissue distribution in crossbred females.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dalke BS, Roeder RA, Kasser JTR, Veenhuizen CJJ, Hunt CW, Hinmam DD, Schelling GT (1992) Dose-response effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin implants on feedlot performance in steers. Journal of Animal Science 70, 2130–2137.
Davis JJ, Sahlu T, Puchala R, Herselman MJ, Fernandez JM, McCann JP, Coleman SW (1999) The effect of bovine somatotropin treatment on production of lactating Angora does with kids. Journal of Animal Science 77, 17–24.
Fennessy PF, Moore GH, Littlejohn RP (1990) Hormonal induction of twinning in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus): comparative mortality and growth of twins and singles to weaning. Animal Production 51, 623–630.
| Hormonal induction of twinning in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus): comparative mortality and growth of twins and singles to weaning.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gregory KE, Cundiff LV, Koch RM, Laster DB, Smith GM (1978) Heterosis and breed maternal and transmitted effects in beef cattle. 1. Preweaning traits. Journal of Animal Science 47, 1031–1041.
Hight GK, Everitt GC, Jury KE (1971) Reciprocal crossbreeding of Friesian and Angus cattle. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 31, 43–50.
Karihaloo AK, Combs W (1971) Some maternal effects on growth of lambs produced by reciprocal crossbreeding between Lincoln and Southdown sheep. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 51, 511–522.
| Some maternal effects on growth of lambs produced by reciprocal crossbreeding between Lincoln and Southdown sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Krzywinski A, Krzywinska K, Kisza J, Roskosz A, Kruk A (1980) Milk composition, lactation and the artificial rearing of red deer. Acta Theriologica 25, 341–347.
Landete-Castillejos T, Garcia A, Molina P, Vergara H, Garde J, Gallego L (2000) Milk production and composition in captive Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus): effect of birth date. Journal of Animal Science 78, 2771–2777.
Loudon ASI, McNeilly AS, Milne JA (1983) Nutrition and lactational control of fertility in red deer. Nature 302, 145–147.
| Nutrition and lactational control of fertility in red deer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaL3s7ktFyjsA%3D%3D&md5=74f4232e359558f0f6bd03c9f8226b07CAS |
Loudon ASI, Darroch AD, Milne JA (1984) The lactation performance of red deer on hill and improved pasture species. Journal of Agricultural Science (Cambridge) 102, 149–158.
| The lactation performance of red deer on hill and improved pasture species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McLaughlin CL, Hedrick HB, Finn RF, Hintz RL, Hartnell GF, Kasser TR, Baile CA (1993) Composition of performance, clinical chemistry and carcass characteristics of finishing lambs treated with recombinant ovine or bovine somatotropins. Journal of Animal Science 71, 1453–1463.
Morgan JE, Fogarty NM, Nielsen S, Gilmour AR (2007) The relationship of lamb growth from birth to weaning and the milk production of their primiparous crossbred dams. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47, 899–904.
| The relationship of lamb growth from birth to weaning and the milk production of their primiparous crossbred dams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nicol AM, Judson HG, Taylor AW (2003) The effect of hybridisation on venison production. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 63, 222–228.
Niezen JH, Barry TN, Hodgson J, Wilson PR, Holmes CW (1991) The effect of three allowances of red clover on red deer fawn growth and liveweight change in lactating hinds. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 51, 185–187.
Radcliff RP, Vandehaar MJ, Kobayashi Y, Sharma BK, Tucker HA, Lucy MC (2004) Effect of dietary energy and somatotropin on components of the somatotropic axis in Holstein heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 87, 1229–1235.
| Effect of dietary energy and somatotropin on components of the somatotropic axis in Holstein heifers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXjvF2jsr4%3D&md5=51d0af375769703b3a193cddbbaa5154CAS |
Rattray PV (1992) Nutrition of the ewe during gestation and grazing. In ‘Progress in sheep and goat research’. (Ed. AW Speedy) pp. 85–106. (CAB International: Wallingford)
Sallam SMA, Nasser MEA, Yousef MI (2005) Effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin on sheep milk production, composition and some haemato-biochemical components. Small Ruminant Research 56, 165–171.
| Effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin on sheep milk production, composition and some haemato-biochemical components.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schlegel ML, Bergen WG, Schroeder AL, VandeHaar MJ, Rust SR (2006) Use of bovine somatotropin for increased skeletal and lean tissue growth of Holstein steers. Journal of Animal Science 84, 1176–1187.
Scott IC, Archer JA, Asher GW, Stevens DR, Ward JF, Littlejohn RP, Lach JE (2008) Energy rather than protein content of hind intake determines growth rate of red deer calves. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 68, 45–46.
Sinnett-Smith PA, Wooliams JA, Warriss PD, Enser M (1989) Effects of recombinant DNA-derived bovine somatotropin on growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality in lambs from three breeds. Animal Production 49, 281–289.
| Effects of recombinant DNA-derived bovine somatotropin on growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality in lambs from three breeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXjsVOqtA%3D%3D&md5=f838e2e488e61455daef27939f69dedaCAS |
Treacher TT (1983) Nutrient requirements for lactation in the ewe. In ‘Sheep production’. (Ed. W Haresign) pp. 133–153. (Butterworths: London)
Velayudhan BT, Govoni KE, Hoagland TA, Zinn SA (2007) Growth rate and changes of the somatotropic axis in beef cattle administered exogenous bovine somatotropin beginning at two hundred, two hundred fifty, and three hundred days of age. Journal of Animal Science 85, 2866–2872.
| Growth rate and changes of the somatotropic axis in beef cattle administered exogenous bovine somatotropin beginning at two hundred, two hundred fifty, and three hundred days of age.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtlWitbrF&md5=74c44389a59207b6a0bd37446b63143aCAS |
Ward JF, Archer JA, O’Neill KT, Littlejohn RP (2007) Comparison of suckling frequency of red and F1 wapiti-red calves reared on red hinds. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 67, 237–241.
Ward JF, Archer JA, Asher GW, Barrell GK, Littlejohn RP (2008) Does calf genotype influence milk yield of red deer hinds? Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 68, 170–171.
