Effects of different weaning methods on growth performance,hormone levels,and immune function of calves

XU Guojun; LI Xiaoyan; ZHANG Kaidong; WANG Xinxing; ZHANG Guoli

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2025.21.007

Abstract：The experiment aimed to study the effects of different weaning methods on the growth performance,hormone levels,and immune function of calves.Thirty-six calves with similar birth dates and birth weights were randomly divided into three groups,pure breast milk group(group M),milk replacer group(group D),and mixed feeding group(group H),with four replicates in each group and three calves in each replicate.The experimental period was 120 days.The results showed that the weight of calves in group D at three months of age was significantly lower than that in the other groups(P＜0.05),the body weight of calves in group M at four months of age was significantly lower than that in group H(P＜0.05).The average daily gain of group M at 2～3 months of age was significantly higher than that of group D(P＜0.05),the average daily gain of group D at 3～4 months of age was significantly higher than that of group M(P＜0.05),while the average daily gain of group H at 2～3 months of age and 3～4 months of age was not significantly different from that of the other groups(P＞0.05).The growth values of body height,body length,and chest circumference at 2～3 months of age in group D were significantly lower than those in the other groups(P＜0.05),while the growth values of body height and chest circumference at 3～4 months of age in group D were significantly higher than those in the other groups(P＜0.05).The insulin-like growth factor-1 and growth hormone concentrations of group D at three months of age were significantly higher than that of the other groups(P＜0.05),the cortisol content of group D at one month of age and group M at two months of age were significantly higher than that of the other groups(P＜0.05).The immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G concentrations in group D at two months of age were significantly lower than those in the other groups(P＜0.05).The immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G concentrations in group M at three months of age were significantly lower than those in the other groups(P＜0.05).The interleukin-1β content of group D at two months of age was significantly lower than that of the other groups(P＜0.05).The study shows that weaning of calves at two months of age is feasible,and better results are achieved when calves are fed 4％average body weight soybean milk powder after weaning at one month of age until weaning at two months of age.