The elucidation of lactocline mechanism of Japanese Black cattle

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06355
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42010:Animal production science-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Takahashi Hideyuki 九州大学, 農学研究院, 准教授 (60549872)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 黒毛和牛 / 初乳

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to focus on the components of colostrum and transitional milk that promote the development of the lower gastrointestinal tract and change the physiological functions in liver tissue and skeletal muscle during calf development, and give it to the calf and the lactocline mechanism during the growing period. As a result, it was clarified that feeding octanic acid, which is a medium-chain fatty acid, to dams at the end of calving increases the glucose concentration in the colostrum and the transitional milk. Glucose is a major source of energy for newborn calves, resulting in good calf nutrition. In addition, as a result of milk replacer feeding to calves, a rapid increase in glucose was observed, suggesting that lower gastrointestinal development may have been promoted.

Free Research Field

家畜生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

黒毛和牛の飼養管理は、各県や各地域によりマニュアルが策定されておりマニュアル通りに飼料摂取を行っても日本飼養標準が策定している成長曲線通りに成長することが出来ない仔牛が存在する。また、飼料の種類や飼料摂取量が均一にも関わらず消化不良性の下痢が発生する個体も存在する。特に早期肥育は穀物飼料を多給する肥育期を前倒しで始める。したがって、仔牛の下部消化管発達は重要であり、本研究成果は早期肥育技術へ応用可能な成果である。