PSXIV-5 Effects of pre-transport administration of Meloxicam on indicators of protein metabolism in transported 4-day old Jersey calves. (7th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Myers, C; Carlson, Z; Murdoch, G; Chibisa, G
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal science. Volume 96(2018)Supplement 3
• Page Start: 366
• Page End: 367
• Publication Date: 2018-12-07
• Subjects: body protein metabolism -- calf growth performance -- transport-related stress; Livestock -- Periodicals; Livestock; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky404.805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8812

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of pre-transport administration of Meloxicam (MEL) on protein metabolism in transported calves. Prior to transportation, Jersey bull calves (n = 20; 4 d old) were weighed, and body temperature was recorded before collection of blood samples. Calves were then administered either a whey protein placebo (CON; n =10) or MEL (1 mg/kg BW; n = 10) before transportation in a livestock trailer to a calf raising facility (8 h trip). Calves were weighed, body temperature recorded and blood samples collected on arrival, and at 96 h post-arrival. Milk replacer intake was also recorded during the first 96 h post-arrival. After the 96 h blood collection, calves were euthanized, and skeletal muscle ( biceps femoris ) samples were collected and used for measurement of mRNA abundance for mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and ubiquitin conjugating enzyme 1 (UBE1). Blood samples were analyzed for cortisol, haptoglobin, urea N, 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) and AA. All data was analyzed using SAS. Body temperature, blood cortisol, haptoglobin, urea-N and 3-MH concentrations did not differ ( P ≥ 0.17) between CON and MEL calves. Although milk replacer intake tended ( P = 0.05) to be higher for MEL compared to CON calves (1.13 vs. 1.07 kg/d), there was no treatment effect on ADG ( P = 0.81) and gain:feed ( P = 0.58). Similarly, there were no differences ( P ≥ 0.35) in mRNA abundance for mTOR or UBE2G1. However, plasma Asp concentration tended to be higher (7.87 vs. 5.47 µg/mL; P = 0.07) and Cit concentration was higher (19.2 vs. 15.2 µg/mL; P = 0.04) for MEL than CON calves. In summary, pre-transport administration of MEL had no effect on blood cortisol and most measures of protein metabolism including blood urea-N, 3-MH, and mRNA abundance for mTOR or UBE1.