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BackgroundSchizophrenia is a heterogeneous neuropsychiatric disorder, categorized by positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. In trying to improve diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia researchers have turn to “dual hit” models of schizophrenia that are able to reproduce all symptoms of the disorder. The main objective of this protocol is to present a transparent process on how we plan to review the existing international literature on effectiveness of “dual hit” models used to induce schizophrenia on rodents. MethodsLiterature search strategies will be developed using medical search headings (MeSH). The MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases will be used to search for published studies electronically. We will search for studies involving inducing schizophrenic symptoms using “dual hit” rodent model (post-weaning social isolation and NMDA receptor antagonist). Studies will be screened by titles, abstracts, keywords, and synonyms followed by identifying the full-text articles. All studies that will pass the quality assessment will be included. Data will be extracted by two authors independently and in duplicate, from each eligible study in ensuring that there is consistency between reviews. If the design and comparator are sufficiently homogenous for all studies, meta-analysis will be conducted using a random-effect model.DiscussionThe results of this review will contribute in the development of new “dual hit” models that will be able to characterize schizophrenia symptoms better. It will also shed light to researchers on new developments that need to be made in improving animal models of schizophrenia.Systematic reviews registrationPROSPERO CRD42021247585

Background The process of weaning in piglets is often associated with an increased inflammation response in the intestine and compromised intestinal integrity and morphology, favoring a delay in intestinal maturation and a predisposal to diseases. Research has shown the potential of different nutritional strategies to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, with the main goal to manipulate health and performance of pigs. Promising examples of nutritional strategies are fungal fermented products and their derivatives which are described to contain several compounds that may play a role in gastrointestinal health and pathogenic bacteria control. Products from Agaricus subrufescens mushroom are reported to contain prophylactic and therapeutic properties including antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. Results This study analysed the post-weaning immune status in intestinal tissue and blood of piglets, with the objective to evaluate the gastrointestinal health and immune modulation response induced by a blend of mannan-rich hydrolyzed copra meal and fermented rye with A. subrufescens. Intestinal histomorphology demonstrated a villus height reduction in jejunum and increase in ileum on day 15, while increased villous height in jejunum and ileum on day 30. The results showed that in post-weaning piglets, the feed additive stimulates an immunomodulation effect most evident at 15 days post-weaning, with significant lower expression of cytokines Interferon (IFN) γ, Interleukin (IL) 1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) β in jejunum, accompanied with an increase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cytokine gene expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p35 (IL-12α), IL-12p40 (IL-12β), Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) α, IFN-α, and TGF-β. In piglets fed the feed additive, the quantity of Immunoglobulin (Ig) A producing cells in jejunum, ileum was reduced on day 15 and 30 post-weaning, and on day 30 and 45 post-weaning in colon tissue. Natural Killer (NK) cells count in blood were increased on day 15 post-weaning in the piglets fed the feed additive. Conclusion This study implies the potential of the blend including mannan-rich hydrolyzed copra meal and fermented rye with A. subrufescens on immune modulation in the intestine of post-weaning piglets.

This study aimed to examine whether litters’ let-together system before weaning (‘kindergarten-system’) has any stress effect and effect on post-weaning behavior, respectively. One week before weaning piglets were socialized by removing four adjacent farrowing crate walls. After weaning, piglets from the same experimental groups were housed in the same rearing crates. The piglet’s body weight was measured at birth than weekly till the 7th life-week. Fecal cortisol metabolites were measured for evaluation of the adrenocortical activity. Personal observation and evaluation were carried out for behavioral analyses after weaning. There were no significant differences in weight development and cortisol metabolite levels between the control and experimental groups. Behavioral analysis showed that pigs grow up in a socialized system, rapidly evolve ranking in the rearing crates, and the self-maintenance and social behavior were more pronounced. In control groups, the activity involving movement (exploring, walking, and running) was much more decisive. Recent work suggested the beneficial effect of the ‘kindergarten’ system in the farrowing house in animal welfare aspects.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the partial replacement effect on body measurements (body mass, muscle thickness, and fat thickness) of the concentrated fraction of foals’ diet with a protein supplement containing whey protein, glutamine, and lysine during the post-weaning period. Eighteen Mangalarga Marchador foals were randomly divided into two groups in the post-weaning phase, with nine animals each in the control group (CG) and the group receiving protein supplementation (WG). Based on 4% of their body weight (BW), the CG animals received a diet with roughage to concentrate in a ratio of 50:50, which composed of Cynodon sp. hay and a 15% crude protein (CP) commercial horse ration. The WG diet consisted of the same amount of hay used for the CG diet, half the amount of concentrate used in the CG diet, and 102 g of a protein supplement containing whey protein, glutamine, and lysine. During the experiment, five evaluations were performed, starting on the day of weaning (day 0), followed by evaluations conducted at 7, 14, 28, and 42 days after weaning. Body measurements, body mass, and thickness of the fat and muscle layers were assessed at each time point. The substitution of a portion of the commercial diet with protein supplement containing whey protein, glutamine, and lysine did not cause changes in the weight gain or linear measurements of Mangalarga Marchador foals during the post-weaning period; however, the change in diet increased muscle thickness and decreased fat thickness when compared to animals in the control group. Objetivou-se com este estudo, avaliar a substituição de uma parte do concentrado da dieta por suplemento proteico contendo whey protein, glutamina e lisina sobre medidas corporais, massa corporal, espessura muscular e de gordura de potros da raça Mangalarga Marchador durante o pós desmame. Utilizou-se dezoito potros da raça Mangalarga Marchador, divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos na fase pós-desmame, com 9 animais fazendo parte de Grupo Controle (GC) e outros 9 animais compondo o grupo que recebeu suplementação proteica (GW). Os animais do GC receberam uma dieta de proporção volumoso/concentrado 50:50, considerando-se 4% do PV, composta por ração comercial com 15% PB e feno de Cynodon sp. A dieta do GW foi composta pela mesma quantidade de feno do GC, diferenciando-se na parte concentrada, que foi composta por 50% do concentrado oferecido ao grupo controle acrescido de 102g de suplemento proteico contendo whey protein, glutamina e lisina. Foram realizadas cinco etapas de avaliação de medidas corporais, massa corporal, espessura da camada de gordura e muscular, iniciando no dia do desmame (dia 0) e após 7, 14, 28 e 42 dias. A substituição de parte do concentrado comercial por suplemento proteico contendo whey protein, glutamina e lisina, não acarretou perdas em ganho de peso e medidas lineares de potros da raça Mangalarga Marchador durante o período de 42 dias após o desmame, mas promoveu ganhos em espessura muscular e diminuição de espessura de gordura quando comparados aos animais do grupo controle.

During weaning, piglets experience concurrent social, physical, and nutritional stressors. Consequently, piglets often have poor feed intake and display increased oral manipulative behaviours post-weaning, indicative of compromised welfare. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) possess many attractive properties for pigs and could therefore function as effective edible enrichment, potentially alleviating weaning stress by facilitating exploration and promoting feed intake. In this study, pairs of piglets received a small amount of either live BSFL or wood shavings (8 pens/treatment) scattered throughout the pen twice a day for 11 days after weaning. Home-pen behaviour was scored by instantaneous scan sampling on day 2, 5 and 8, and behavioural responses to a novel environment and novel object were scored on day 10/11. Performance-related parameters were observed regularly. Larvae provisioning increased floor-directed exploration and decreased object-directed exploration, pig-directed oral manipulation, fighting and eating of pellets, and reduced neophobia towards a novel object. Pellet intake was significantly decreased by BSFL provisioning during day 4–11 post-weaning, although feed and net energy intake including BSFL never differed between treatments. BSFL provisioning did not influence piglet growth, feed efficiency, energy efficiency, and faecal consistency. To conclude, live BSFL provisioning positively affected post-weaning piglet behaviour while maintaining performance.

The use of phytobiotics in feeding monogastric herbivores has several interests, including the stabilization of the caecal flora and especially the improvement of the growth of animals thanks to a better exploitation of feed resources. Thus a trial was conducted with an objective to evaluate the feed intake and post weaning growth performances of cavy according to the inclusion level of ginger meal. A total of 40 guinea pigs of 3 weeks of age were divided into 4 lots, and subjected to rations consisting of Trypsacum laxum served ad libitum, associated with the compound feed containing 0; 0.5; 0.75 and 1% ginger powder (T0, T1, T2 and T3). This study showed that the total intake of DM, MO and CB from forage was comparable between rations T0, T1 and T2 and significantly higher than those of ration T3. At weaning, average animal weights of all rations were comparable. However, at 8 weeks of age, the T0, T1 and T3 rations yielded comparable average weights, but significantly higher than those of the T2 animals, i.e., 272 g; 298.80 g; 285.25 g and 221.83 g, respectively. The T0, T1 and T3 diets recorded total gains that were comparable but significantly higher than those obtained with animals in Lot T2. Ginger powder can be included up to 0.75% in the diet as a feed additive for improved ingestion and 0.5% for post-weaning growth. L’usage des phytobiotiques dans l’alimentation des herbivores monogastriques présente plusieurs intérêts parmi lesquels la stabilisation de la flore caecale et surtout l’amélioration de la croissance des animaux grâce à une meilleure valorisation des ressources alimentaire. C’est ainsi que des essais ont été conduit avec pour objectif d’évaluer l’ingestion er la croissance post-sevrage des cobayes en fonction du niveau de la poudre de gingembre. Un total de 40 cobayes de 21 jours d’âge était reparti en 4 lots, et soumis à des rations constituées de Trypsacum laxum servi ad libitum, associé à l’aliment composé contenant 0 ; 0,5 ; 0,75 et 1% de poudre de gingembre (T0, T1, T2 et T3). Il ressort de cette étude que les ingestions totales de la MS, de la MO et de la CB du fourrage, ont été comparables entre les rations T0, T1 et T2 et significativement plus élevées que celle de la ration T3. Au sevrage, les poids moyens des animaux étaient comparables pour toutes les rations. Cependant à 8 semaines d’âge, les rations T0, T1 et T3 ont permis d’obtenir les poids moyens comparables, mais significativement plus élevés que ceux des animaux lot T2, soit respectivement 272 g ; 298,80 g ; 285,25 g et 221,83 g. Les rations T0, T1 et T3 ont permis d’enregistrer les gains totaux comparables, mais significativement élevés par rapport à ceux obtenus avec les animaux du lot T2. La poudre de gingembre peut être incluse jusqu’à 0,75% dans la ration comme additif alimentaire pour l'amélioration de l’ingestion et à 0,5% pour la croissance post-sevrage.

Sheep play significant role in the socio-economic life of the large human population. Improving the productivity of sheep through selection and breeding would require understanding of their growth characteristics. This study was conducted to assess the pre- and post-weaning daily weight gains (ADG) of four Nigerian sheep breeds and some non- genetic factors affecting them. Pre- and post-ADG were measured in 33, 34, 43 and 47 lambs of Balami, Uda, WAD and Yankasa ewes respectively, and analyzed to determine the effect of breed, sex, year, season, parity, and birth type. At the pre-weaning stage, Balami and Uda had similar gains (91.89g vs. 92.44g) which were higher than that of Yankasa (74.22g) which was in turn higher than that of WAD (62.44g). During the post weaning stage, Balami gained most (77.19g), followed by Uda (71.12g), and Yankasa (59.37g) while WAD still maintained the lowest rate of gain (55.15g). Male sheep had higher ADG than females, 100.7g vs. 87.8g at pre-; and 65.67 vs. 58.15g at post weaning. However, sex within breed analysis revealed non- significant influence of sex in all breeds except WAD at pre-weaning stage but males maintained better (p

Introduction: Re-intubation and re-ventilation after complete weaning of patients with prolonged ventilation are considered a major problem in ICU. The re-intubation in such patients associated with higher mortalities prolongs the duration of ICU stay. The mortality rate in those patients may exceed 40% in some studies. Aims: The study aimed to compare and evaluate the effect of use of two new maneuvers with control after fulfilling criteria of weaning from prolonged ventilation, either immediate use of NIV post-extubation and every 12 hours for 24 hours or MV for one hour on both re-intubation and ICU discharge of traumatic ARDS patients who ventilated for one week or more. Materials and Methods: It is a prospective double-blind study done on total 300 patients, admitted with respiratory failure ARDS due to severe lung contusion. All of them were selected to be ventilated for > one week. All of them fulfilled the criteria of weaning at the end of the studied period. Patients were randomly allocated in three groups; each group contained 100 patients. Group A was considered the control group. They extubated and followed our routine protocol; patients of group B used our first new maneuver and reconnected to mechanical ventilation before extubation for one hour, while patients of group C used our second new maneuver; patients of this group extubated and immediately connected to NIV with BIPAP mode for 1 hour every 12 hours for 24 hours. Results: There was a significant reduction in the number of patients who experienced deterioration in conscious level throughout the study in patients of both groups B and C compared to group A. Also, a significant reduction was seen in the number of patients who experienced deterioration in clinical parameters of respiration, of both groups B and C compared to group A with regard to high respiratory rate, desaturation and development of hyperdynamic circulation (tachycardia and hypertension). Also, a significant reduction was seen in the number of patients who had multiple quadrant parenchymatous infiltration throughout the study in patients of both groups B and C compared to group A. significant reduction in the number of patients marked limitation to FEV1, FVC and MVV in patients of both groups B and C compared to group A. Conclusion: Use of either immediate NIV every 12 hours for 24 hours or MV for one hour after fulfillment of weaning criteria reduced reintubation, re-ventilation and post-extubation respiratory failure and decreased the ICU stay in prolonged ventilated patients due to ARDS from severe lung trauma with no significant difference between them.

An 8-week feeding experiment was designed to examine the influences of single or/and double strains of probiotic compared to antibiotic colistin on growth, hematological variables, blood serum metabolites and caecal fermentation in post-weaning rabbits exposed to heat stress conditions. A total of one hundred (35-day-old; average initial body weights 694 ± 7.33) New Zealand White rabbits were distributed into five groups. The experimental groups were the basal diet (control), or basal diet fortified with 120 mg colistin (COL); 5 × 106 cfu Clostridium butyricum (CB); 2 × 108 cfu Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 11181 (EF); or 2.5 × 106 cfu C. butyricum + 1 × 108 cfu E. faecium/kg diet (CB + EF). The results demonstrated that both the EF and CB + EF treatments enhanced (p

In Japan, reducing the use of antimicrobials in pig production is a significant problem. However, there are no published reports concerning porcine disease treatment, as related to the age of the pigs and the indications (e.g., organ system) in Japan. In this study, we analyzed the prescription records of 17 farrow-to-finish farms from 2014 to 2018 in southern Kyushu, Japan. The farms' antimicrobial usage was calculated as the active ingredient per population correction unit (PCU) or the number of treated pigs per PCU using the defined daily dose. All data were analyzed according to the indications and production stages (sows, suckling pigs, post-weaning pigs, and fattening pigs). In terms of active ingredients/PCU, tetracyclines were the most commonly used (43.2-59.3%), and the largest amounts of antimicrobials administered through feeds were for treating the respiratory organs of fattening pigs. In terms of the number of treated pigs/PCU, tetracyclines were most frequently used (16.3-31.1%), and a high frequency of antimicrobials administered through feeds was used for the treatment of respiratory organs in post-weaning pigs. In this study, it was confirmed that tetracyclines were used frequently as a herd treatment for respiratory diseases in post-weaning and fattening pigs in southern Kyushu, Japan. The findings suggest that it is necessary to improve the treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases in post-weaning and fattening pigs in order to reduce the frequencies of antimicrobial treatments.

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene plays an important role in sympathetic nerve activity, as well as adrenal and thyroid function and mediates the effects of leptin on energy homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the 642 bp MC4R gene on feed intake , nutrient digestibility, average daily gain ( ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) a t post-weaned in Bligon goat. Forty-six Bligon were used for the blood sample collection, and genomic DNA was extracted using the Geneaid isolation kit. Feed intake data were collected on 46 Bligon goats kept on 2 different animal houses, including the laboratory’s farm of Faculty of Animal Science Universitas Gadjah Mada (FAS UGM) with n=23 and Banyusoco farm (n=23). Variables observed were feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ADG, and FCR. All samples were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP method with the Kpn I enzyme. One SNP was located in the exonic region (g.1079C/T). The t-test analysis revealed a significant association between SNP g.1079C/T and the digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter ( OM) , and total digestible nutrient (TDN) of Bligon goats at 7 months of age kept on FAS UGM, as well as the digestibility of DM, crude protein (CP), nitrogen-free extract (NFE) , and TDN of Bligon goats at 7 months of age kept on Banyusoco. In conclusion, it is possible to use SNP g.1079C/T for animal genotyping and as a MAS for nutrient digestibility in Bligon goats

We investigated the post-weaning effect of providing additional objects (i.e. rope, ball, tyre) to commercial piglets given straw pre- and post-weaning on behaviour and average daily gain (ADG). Piglets from litters with objects (O,n = 20 in 5 litters) and controls (C,n = 20 in 5 litters) were observed from 24 h post-weaning and during six days. Piglets were weighed at birth, weaning and 11 days post-weaning. O-piglets performed less littermate manipulation (P < 0.05), exploring pen fixtures (P < 0.1) and lying (P < 0.1) but spent more time in the creep post-weaning than C-piglets (P < 0.1). Social or locomotor play was expressed similarly in both treatments. Day strongly influenced the behaviour of pigs post-weaning. O-piglets had significantly lower pre-weaning ADG than C-piglets (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in post-weaning ADG between the treatments. Providing objects to piglets around weaning may reduce some negative behaviours, but may affect weight gain negatively.

Folate deficiency has been suggested as a risk factor for depression in preclinical and clinical studies. Several hypotheses of mechanisms underlying folate deficiency-induced depressive symptoms have been proposed, but the detailed mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we assessed whether post-weaning folate deficiency affect neurological and psychological function. The low folate diet-fed mice showed depression-like behavior in the forced swim test. In contrast, spontaneous locomotor activity, social behavior, coordinated motor skills, anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory did not differ between control and low folate diet-fed mice. In the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, decreased number of newborn mature neurons and increased number of immature neurons were observed in low folate diet-fed mice. Staining with Golgi-Cox method revealed that dendritic complexity, spine density and the number of mature spines of neurons were markedly reduced in the DG of low folate diet-fed mice. Stress response of neurons indicated as c-Fos expression was also reduced in the DG of low folate diet-fed mice. These results suggest that reduction in the degree of maturation of newborn hippocampal neurons underlies folate deficiency-induced depressive symptoms.

When facing stressful conditions, some people tend to be impulsively aggressive whereas others are not. However, the causes and underlying mechanisms remain elusive. It has been reported that acute stress induces outbursts of aggression in post-weaning social isolation (SI) mice but not in group housing (GH) mice. Here we report epigenetic regulation of impulsive aggression in SI mice. At post-natal day 21, mice were randomly assigned to GH or SI groups. We found that SI mice exhibited a higher level of microRNA 206 (miR-206) compared with GH mice. Intra-hippocampal injection of AM206, an antagomir of miR-206, decreased stress-induced attack behavior in SI mice and increased BDNF expression. Moreover, BDNF expression was required for AM206 effects on the reduction of aggression. On the other hand, miR-206 overexpression in GH mice induced attack behavior. Intranasal administration of AM206 rather than a scramble control significantly reduced attack behavior and depression-like behavior in SI mice. Our results suggest that miR-206 mediates development of maladaptive impulsive aggression in early life adversity and that its antagomir could potentially be a therapeutic target against stress-exacerbated aggressive behavior., Graphical Abstract, miR-206 is known to regulate skeletal muscle development. Chang et al. showed that socially isolated mice exhibited higher levels of miR-206 and aggressive behavior. Intranasal administration of miR-206 antagomir significantly reduced attack behavior in social isolation mice. miR-206 is a potential therapeutic target for impulsive aggression.

Background Despite their indispensability in human medicine, fluoroquinolones (FQ) are used for the treatment of bacterial infections in farm animals which increases the risk of transferring FQ-resistant bacteria into the environment and via the food chain to humans. The objectives of this observational study were to follow-up of the presence of quinolone non-susceptible Escherichia coli (QNSE) qualitatively and quantitatively in faecal samples of pigs at four time points (2 weeks old, 4 weeks old, 2 weeks post weaning and during fattening period). Moreover differences between groups of FQ-treated pigs, pigs with contact to treated pigs and control pigs were investigated. Additionally, quinolone and FQ resistance of Escherichia coli isolates of the faecal samples were investigated by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Results 40.9% of 621 fecal samples contained QNSE. Proportion of samples with detectable QNSE from treated and contact pigs did not differ significantly and were highest in piglets of 2 and 4 weeks of age. However, the proportions of samples with QNSE were significantly lowest in control pigs (7/90; 7.8%; CI = 3.5–14.7%) among all groups. Also, the number of colony-forming units was lowest in both weaners and fattening pigs of the control group compared to treated and contact groups. Following CLSI human breakpoints, in total, 50.4% out of 254 isolates in faecal samples were intermediate or resistant to ciprofloxacin. Conclusions QNSE were present in faeces of pigs independent of age or FQ background but significantly less were found in pigs from farms without FQ usage. Due to the long half-life of FQ, it is likely that only a prolonged absence of fluoroquinolone treatments in pig farming will lead to a reduced frequency of QNSE in the farm environment. Solutions need to be found to minimise the emergence and transfer of quinolone and FQ-resistant bacteria from treated pigs to contact pigs and to farms without FQ usage.

Calves are often lower in plasma vitamin E concentration than the recommended level (3 mg/L) after weaning, which seems to be a challenge for a good immune response. Two studies were performed investigating if a natural vitamin E supplement in the starter concentrate could increase the plasma vitamin E concentration of calves around weaning. Each study was conducted at three Danish farms producing rosé veal calves. Studies 1 and 2 included a total of 318 and 421 calves, respectively, from at least 3 weeks pre-weaning until at least 2 weeks after weaning. In study 1, the standard concentrate used at the farm was fed either unsupplemented (CON) or supplemented with 490 ± 24 (Means ± SD) mg of RRR-α-tocopherol (RRR-α-T)/kg of diet by mixing a vitamin E-enriched pellet with the standard concentrate pellet in the ratio of 1:10. In study 2, calves were fed either a common concentrate pellet with 48 ± 8 mg/kg all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate (CON) or a common concentrate pellet with 245 ± 30 (Means ± SD) mg/kg RRR-α-T with a similar dietary composition. Performance data were analyzed for each farm per study; however, plasma parameters were analyzed across the three farms in each study. In both studies, the plasma vitamin E concentration was analyzed at start (approximately 3 weeks pre-weaning), at weaning, and 2 to 3 weeks after weaning; however, the concentrate intake and thus vitamin E intake was not recorded. In both studies, the overall average daily gain (ADG) from start to weaning was not affected by vitamin E supplementation. In study 1, the plasma vitamin E concentration at weaning in RRR-α-T calves (5.09 ± 0.58, LSmeans ± SEM) was higher (P = 0.01) than in CON calves (3.35 ± 0.55, mg/L). Similarly, the plasma vitamin E concentration post-weaning in RRR-α-T calves (3.71 ± 0.27) was markedly higher (P < 0.001) than in CON calves (1.27 ± 0.29 mg/L). In study 2, the plasma vitamin E concentration at weaning in RRR-α-T calves (4.9 ± 0.4) was higher (P = 0.003) than in CON calves (3.6 ± 0.4 mg/L). Similarly, post-weaning, the plasma vitamin E concentration in RRR-α-T calves (4.1 ± 0.5) was higher (P = 0.004) than in CON calves (1.6 ± 0.5 mg/L). At post-weaning, serum amyloid A (SAA; P = 0.02) and cortisol concentration (P = 0.04) were lower in RRR-α-T calves than in CON calves. In conclusion, regardless of the approach used for preparing the concentrate pellets, supplementation with a high amount of natural vitamin E (RRR-α-T) significantly increased the plasma vitamin E concentration above 3 mg/L at weaning and post-weaning and decreased the plasma cortisol and SAA concentration in calves post-weaning.

Supplementation of pharmacological levels of ZnO (3000 ppm) is widely used for prevention and treatment of diarrhea in weaning piglets and to improve their performance. However, this practice has raised concerns about environmental impact, antimicrobial resistance and nutritional interactions. In this study we compared graded amounts of regular ZnO to equivalent levels of potentiated ZnO (HiZox), added to the piglet’s diets. Our aim was to assess possible advantages of different Zn sources as well as a reduction potential regarding the supplemented dose. Therefore, 1440 piglets (initial BW 10.1 ± 1.55 kg) were randomly allotted to 12 dietary treatments: supplementation of 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500 and 3000 ppm of Zn from regular ZnO or equivalent from HiZox. From day 1 to day 14, piglets were fed dietary treatments accordingly; from day 15 to day 28 all groups received HiZox at 150 ppm. Performance was recorded on d 1, 14 and 28 on trial.The highest (P < 0.001) ADG was observed for piglets fed HiZox at 3000 ppm (247 g/d), while HiZox at 900 ppm and regular ZnO at 3000 ppm presented the same ADG values. The subsequent 14-day levelling to 150 ppm of HiZox led on average to similar body weight gains (ZnO: 7.05 kg; HiZox: 6.93 kg). ADFI increased (P < 0.001) in the first 14 d of trial with increasing Zn levels for both sources. Comparison of ZnO at 3000 ppm and HiZox at 900 ppm showed similar effects on improving fecal consistency during the first two weeks after weaning, which may be due to the more effective surface specific area of HiZox than regular ZnO. In conclusion, HiZox at 900 ppm can be used for improving growth performance and fecal consistency during the first two weeks after weaning as an alternative to the pharmacological level of regular ZnO.

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of earlier weaning in addition to biocholine supplementation on age at puberty of Brangus heifers. Brangus calves were randomized and divided into three weaning ages groups, at 30 (Hyper-early weaning; HW), 75 (Early weaning; EW) and 180 days (Conventional weaning; CW). Then, calves were supplemented using the additive Biocholine (BIO) or not (CON). Animals were subjected to puberty induction and transrectal ultrasonography was performed to assess the ovarian activity and the presence of corpus luteum to determine heifer puberty. We also evaluated the body weight (BW; Kg), hip height (HH; cm), thoracic perimeter (TP; cm) and BW:HH ratio during the experimental period. BIO group showed higher ADG (>226g/day) when the animals were exposed to ryegrass pasture compared to CON (P < 0.05). We observed an interaction between weaning x biocholine and CW-BIO heifers showed greater HH more compared to CW-CON (P < 0.05). Overall, animals that have reached puberty at day 8 after puberty induction showed 331.0±23.14kg BW, 122.0±2.58cm HH and 165.4±3.45cm TP and 2.7±0.14 BW:HH. At the time of ovulation detection, the heifers from the HW group had 32.1kg BW, 3.93cm HH and 0.18cm BW:HH greater compared to CW (P < 0.05). The BIO supplementation together with ryegrass pasture, led to an increase in ADG weight throughout the evaluated period. We concluded that HW heifers showed an adequate body development throughout the experimental period until puberty appearance at the same age as others weaned groups.

The experiment objective was to evaluate the impact of assisted reproductive technologies on post weaning calf performance. Calves born following various reproductive treatments (synchronized natural service and synchronized AI) in 10 herds over 2 years were fed to reach a target backfat (BF) of 1.27 cm, sent to harvest, and carcass data collected. Calves were classified into calving groups as natural service born early (NS-Early, n = 189), natural service born late (NS-Late, n = 203), or AI sired born early (AI-Early, n = 116). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS with calving group, year and calf gender in the model. Weaning weights were similar between AI-Early and NS-Early; however, earlier born calves (AI-Early and NS-Early) were heavier (P < 0.0001) than NS-Late. AI-Early calves had heavier finished bodyweight (622.2 kg: P = 0.0024) compared to NS-Early (601.4 kg) and heavier HCW compared to both NS-Early and NS-Late (P < 0.01). NS-Early calves reached 1.27 cm BF in fewer days than AI-Early (261 d and 275 d, respectively; P < 0.01) with NS-late requiring the most days on feed to reach the same endpoint (296 d, P < 0.01). No differences in Quality Grade, Yield Grade, REA, marbling, or BF were detected between AI-Early, NS-Early, and NS-Late, or between early- and late-born calves (P > 0.38). Late-born calves required 29 more days on feed (P < 0.001) to reach 1.27 cm BF resulting in greater final bodyweight compared to early-born calves (625.5 kg and 612.8 kg, respectively; P = 0.04); however, hot carcass weights were similar between early- and late-born calves. Reproductive technologies that increase the number of calves born early in the calving season increased weaning weight and post weaning growth performance, but compared to high quality natural service sires, AI did not improve carcass characteristics.

Obesity/high fat diet (HFD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. Recent evidence indicates that maternal gestational hypertension (MGHT) induces hypertensive response sensitization (HTRS) elicited by post-weaning HFD in both male and female offspring. However, the increase in blood pressure (BP) in female offspring is less than that in male offspring. In this study, we investigated if estrogen plays a protective role in MGHT-induced HTRS to post-weaning HFD in female offspring, and if estrogen effects are associated with regulation of brain reactivity to pressor agents and altered autonomic function. In post-weaning HFD fed intact female offspring, MGHT induced HFD-elicited HTRS (MAP, offspring of NT dams, 107.9±0.9 to 115.2±0.7 mmHg; offspring of MGHT dams, 107.3±0.8 to 120.7±1.4 mmHg, p

Exercise has profound effects on cardiovascular function and metabolism in both physiological and pathophysiological states. Our previous studies demonstrated that maternal gestational hypertension (MGHT) induces hypertensive response sensitization (HTRS) elicited by post-weaning high fat diet (HFD) in male offspring. The present study tested whether voluntary exercise would protect against MGHT-induced HTRS in HFD fed male offspring. Male offspring from both normotensive (NT) and MGHT dams were given access to either “blocked” (sedentary offspring) or functional running (exercised offspring) wheels for 10 weeks during normal fat diet (NFD) or HFD feeding. HFD feeding significantly increased resting blood pressure (BP) in sedentary offspring of both NT (112.3±0.7 to 119.9±1.2 mmHg, p0.05). Voluntary exercise did not alter BP in NFD fed offspring and HFD fed offspring of NT dams, but it attenuated BP in HFD fed offspring of MGHT dams (129.6±1.0 to 121.1±0.8 mmHg, p

This study evaluated the effect of the inclusion of rejected taro tuber flour (RTTF) on the productive performance in commercial hybrid pigs (Landrace × Duroc × Pietrain) during their post-weaning period. The experiment was established under a completely randomized design, comprising four treatments (0, 10, 20, and 30% inclusion of RTTF in the diet), using a total of 60 piglets with 15 repetitions each. The average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion (FC), final body weight (BW), presence of diarrheas, mortality, and production cost, were determined. RTTF showed a high dry matter content, nitrogen-free extracts, gross energy, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, potassium, iron, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity. RTTF inclusion in the diet of pigs in the entire period (30-58 d) did not cause diarrhea or deaths and showed a quadratic effect on BW (p < 0.001) and ADFI (p < 0.001) and produced a linear effect on ADG (p = 0.006), FC (p = 0.003) and production cost (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the inclusion of RTTF in the diet of pigs after weaning (30-58 d) ranging between 0 and 30 % showed no effect on BW and ADFI, with a slight decrease in ADG and FC and a linear effect on production cost reduction. Resumen Este estudio evaluó el efecto de inclusión de la harina de tubérculos de taro de rechazo (RTTF) sobre el desempeño productivo en cerdos híbridos comerciales (Landrace × Duroc × Pietrain) durante el período de posdestete. El experimento se estableció bajo un diseño completamente aleatorizado, conformando cuatro tratamientos (0, 10, 20 y 30 % de inclusión de RTTF en la dieta), empleando un total de 60 lechones con 15 repeticiones cada uno. Se determinó el consumo de materia seca diario (CMSD), ganancia de peso diario (GPD), conversión alimentaria (CA), peso final (PF), presencia de diarreas, mortalidad y costo de producción. La RTTF presentó alto contenido de materia seca, extractos libres de nitrógeno, energía bruta, ácido aspártico, ácido glutámico, potasio, hierro, polifenoles y actividad antioxidante. La inclusión de RTTF en la dieta de los cerdos en el periodo completo (30-58 d) no ocasionó diarreas ni muertes y mostró un efecto cuadrático sobre el PF (p < 0,001), CMSD (p < 0,001), y produjo efecto lineal sobre la GPD (p = 0,006), CA (p = 0,003) y costo de producción (p < 0,001). En conclusión, la inclusión de RTTF en la dieta de los cerdos después del destete (30-58 d), entre 0 y 30 %, no mostró efecto sobre el PF y CMSD, con una ligera disminución en la GPD y CA, y con un efecto lineal en la reducción del costo de producción.

Background : Social isolation (SI) leads to various mental health disorders. Despite abundant studies on behavioral and neurobiological changes induced by post-weaning SI, the characterization of its imaging correlates, such as resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC), is critically lacking. In addition, the effects of resocialization after isolation remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of 1) SI on cortical functional connectivity and 2) subsequent resocialization on behavior and functional connectivity. Methods : Behavioral tests were conducted to validate the post-weaning SI mouse model, which is isolated during the juvenile period. Wide-field optical mapping was performed to observe both neuronal and hemodynamic signals in the cortex under anesthesia. Using seed-based and graph theoretical analyses, RSFC was analyzed. The SI mice were resocialized and the array of behavior and imaging tests was conducted. Results : Behaviorally, SI mice showed elevated anxiety, social preference, and aggression. RSFC analyses using the seed-based approach revealed decreased cortical functional connectivity in SI mice, especially in the frontal region. Graph network analyses demonstrated significant reduction in network segregation measures. After resocialization, mice exhibited recovered anxiogenic and aggressive behavior, but the RSFC data did not show significant changes. Conclusions : We observed an overall decrease in functional connectivity in SI mice. Moreover, resocialization restored the disruptions in behavioral patterns but functional connectivity was not recovered. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report that, despite the recovering tendencies of behavior in resocialized mice, similar changes in RSFC were not observed. This suggests that disruptions in functional connectivity caused by social isolation remain as long-term sequelae.

We evaluated heifer post-weaning residual feed intake (RFI) classification and cow age on dry matter intake (DMI) at two stages of production. Fifty-nine non-lactating, pregnant, (Study 1) and fifty-four lactating, non-pregnant (Study 2) commercial black Angus beef cows were grouped by age and RFI. Free-choice, hay pellets were fed in a GrowSafe feeding system. In Study 1, cow DMI (kg/d) and intake rate (g/min) displayed a cow age effect (p &lt, 0.01) with an increase in DMI and intake rate with increasing cow age. In Study 2, cow DMI (kg/d) and intake rate (g/min) displayed a cow age effect (p &lt, 0.02) with an increase in DMI and intake rate with increasing cow age. Milk production displayed a cow age × RFI interaction (p &lt, 0.01) where both 5–6-year-old and 8–9-year-old low RFI cows produced more milk than high RFI cows. For both studies, intake and intake behavior were not influenced by RFI (p ≥ 0.16) or cow age × RFI interaction (p ≥ 0.21). In summary, heifer’s post-weaning RFI had minimal effects on beef cattle DMI or intake behavior, however, some differences were observed in milk production.

BACKGROUND Pre-weaning group housing for sows and their litters is expected to enhance animal welfare. However, knowledge of potential benefits of pre-weaning socialisation for piglets after weaning is still lacking. METHODS Weaner pigs were mixed in groups of 10, using littermates (LM) from pre-weaning group housing (Gr) and from farrowing pens with crates (Co). Groups were formed as follows: Gr/Gr (5 LM from Gr + 5 LM from Gr), Gr/Co (5 LM from Gr + 5 LM from Co), Co/Co (5 LM from Co + 5 LM from Co). RESULTS During 24 h after mixing, piglets in Co/Co fought more than in Gr/Co and Gr/Gr. Piglets in Co/Co had more unclear fighting results than in Gr/Co and Gr/Gr. Four days after mixing, piglets in Co/Co were more injured than in Gr/Co and Gr/Gr. CONCLUSION Early socialised piglets may have better social skills when meeting familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics after weaning.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the metabolic profile of Santa Ines ewe lambs fed diets for early or late-maturing diets with or without nutrient restrictions. The experiment consisted of a 2 × 2 completely randomized factorial experiment with either early- or late-maturity feed formulation according to "Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants" with or without 15% crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) restrictions in diets formulated, five replications, and 20 ewe lambs averaging 15.1±2.6 kg. Lambs on early-maturity diets consumed greater (P

The aim was to investigate the effect of weaning age, weaning weight, and nursery feeding regime on post-weaning performance. The focus was on pigs weaned light, as they may be better off when weaned at a later age and/or offered a specialist nursery feeding regime. Piglets (n = 1,448) from one farrowing batch of 110 sows that farrowed over 2 wk were individually weighed and their morphometric measurements were taken at birth. Pigs were weaned on the same day, but variation in birth date resulted in variable weaning ages (mean age day 34.1, SD = 2.5). The youngest 50% at weaning were classified Y and the oldest 50% as O; within an age class, the lightest 50% were classified L, the heaviest 50% as H, and housed accordingly. Pigs were individually weighed at weaning, 7 and 15 wk post-weaning. At weaning, Y were 6 d younger and 1.4 kg lighter than O pigs, whereas L were 3.2 kg lighter than H pigs. Pigs were randomly allocated to a 3-stage superior (SUP) or control (CON) nursery feeding regime, with SUP pigs having a 65% greater allowance (on a kg/pig basis) of the first and second stage feeds than the CON. Pigs weaned Y had a higher mortality rate from weaning to 7 wk post-weaning than pigs weaned O (9.14% vs. 4.98%; P = 0.046). As expected, age and weight significantly (P < 0.001) affected performance to both 7 and 15 wk post-weaning: at 15-wk pigs weaned Y were 5.5 kg lighter than pigs weaned O; pigs weaned L were 9.0 kg lighter than H pigs. It was estimated that pigs weaned YL needed ~4 d more (P = 0.018) to reach 60 kg BW than pigs weaned OL. Feed intake was not affected by feeding regime, age and weight, or their interactions. Performance was not affected by feeding regime (P > 0.05), but was affected by the weight × feeding regime interaction (P = 0.044) to 7 wk post-weaning: L pigs on SUP were 1.2 kg heavier than L pigs on the CON regime; this was not the case for the H pigs. Performance up to 7 wk post-weaning was positively associated with birth weight to cranial circumference ratio and weaning weight (P < 0.05) for both YL and OL pigs; for the latter, additional performance predictors were weaning age (P = 0.044) and feeding (P = 0.027). Improved growth for L pigs up to 7 wk post-weaning could be obtained by a greater allowance of the nursery diets. However, weaning at a later age benefitted the performance of L pigs to a common BW, suggesting that this might be a strategy with longer term benefits.

Artificial rearing involves removing piglets from their mother at seven days of age and feeding them milk replacer until weaning. Early-life rearing conditions can influence piglets’ mental development, as reflected by their emotional state and reactivity. This study compared the post-weaning emotional state and reactivity of pigs which were either sow-reared or artificially reared pre-weaning. Behavioural tests (startle test, novel object test, human-animal relationship test and open door test) were conducted one week post-weaning (weaner 1, 34 [± 0.6] days old), one week after movement to weaner 2 (69 [±1.2] days old) and to finisher (100 [± 1.3] days old) stages. Qualitative Behavioural Assessments (QBA) were conducted on the same days in weaner 2 and finisher stages. QBA descriptors were computed by PCA and all other data were analysed using linear models. Artificially reared pigs were less fearful of human contact in weaner 1 (45.1 [± 8.43] vs 81.3 [± 7.89]%) and finisher (25.8 [± 5.19] vs 45.7 [± 6.00]%) stages; but there was no difference in the other tests. Artificially reared pigs had a higher QBA score (more positive) than sow-reared pigs in weaner 2 (54.49 [± 10.102] vs 17.88 [± 9.94]) but not in finisher (70.71 [± 8.860] vs 52.76 [± 9.735]) stage. In conclusion, artificially reared pigs appeared to have a more positive emotional state transiently post-weaning and a lower fearfulness towards humans, which are likely mediated by their pre-weaning conditions. These data emphasise the need to consider the entire life of the animals to fully evaluate the long-term impacts of a rearing system.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effect of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) to the lactating sows diet on piglet development at lactation and post-weaning. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four litters of hybrids sows were evaluated in this study. The sows were divided into two groups: Control (CG), sows fed conventionally and experimental (EG), sows fed with commercial fed plus cactus. Post-weaning, the piglets of both groups were moni¬tored up to the 20 kg liveweight (LW). It was evaluated, lactation (in sows): feed intake (FI), milk production (MP), and quality (MQ) and LW of the piglet. Post-weaning (in piglets): FI, LW, and length of intestinal villi (LIV) at 0, 24 h, and 42 days post-weaning. Results: FI sow-1 was higher in EG (p < 0.05). MP, MQ, and LW piglet-1 at weaning were equal (p > 0.05). FI piglet-1 in the sixth and eighth week of age was higher in EG (p < 0.05); at the end of weaning phase, EG presented higher LW (p < 0.05): 8.4% more. LIV of the jejunum were higher (p < 0.05) in EG at 48 h (28.8%) and 42 days post-weaning (29.9%). At day 0, post-weaning LIV of the descending portion was higher (p < 0.05) in CG (1,571.0 μm) versus EG (1,058.0 μm). At day 42, post-weaning LIV of the transverse portion was higher (p < 0.05) in EG: 23.7% higher. Conclusion: Cactus intake in lactating sows does not affect the piglet development. However, post-weaning piglets present higher LIV in jejunum and transverse portion, aspect that improves LW. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(3.000): 290-299]

The Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus is the most endangered pinniped in the world and is considered Endangered by the IUCN. Transition from suckling to active feeding is a critical time in the development of all mammal species, and understanding the dietary requirements of seals during this vulnerable period is of value in establishing conservation measures, such as fishery regulations. This study provides unique information on the dietary habits of a moulted monk seal pup, through the opportunistic necropsy of a dead animal encountered at a very early age (5 mo). A total of 6 prey items from 2 families (Octopodidae, 90.8% and Congridae, 8.9%) were identified from stomach contents. The remaining stomach content mass consisted of fish bones from unidentified species (0.3%). The estimated age, low diversity and number of prey items in the stomach contents indicate that this individual may have been in a transition period from suckling to active feeding. The study confirms independent foraging in Mediterranean monk seals at about 5 mo of age. Given the importance of early life survival for maintaining stable Mediterranean monk seal populations, and the occurrence of an ontogenetic shift in its close relative (Hawaiian monk seal), these findings contribute to the establishment and implementation of successful conservation and management strategies for this Endangered species.

The effect of dietary supplementation with a biotechnological extract of Ajuga reptans on growth performance, oxidative status and immune parameters was evaluated in post weaning piglets. At weaning, 120 piglets with an average live weight of 8.1±1.3 kg, were assigned to one of three experimental groups. The first group was fed a control diet (C). The second and third groups were fed the same diet supplemented with 5 mg (T1) and 10 mg (T2) of teupolioside/kg feed from a biotechnological plant extract. Growth performances were recorded and blood samples were collected at the beginning, at 14 days, and at the end of the trial (56 days). Serum biochemical parameters, oxidative status and immunoglobulin titres were determined. Average daily gain tended to be higher (P=0.057) and live weight was higher in piglets (PAjuga reptans containing teupolioside has an antioxidant and immunomodulant effect.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the impact of a single drench with a label dose of injectable doramectin subsequent to weaning on the growth and performance of heifers and steers in central Queensland beef herds. METHODS: Three studies were undertaken on recently‐weaned Bos indicus‐cross beef calves with ≥ 75% B. indicus content on two farms in central Queensland, just north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Farm 1 was located 50 km north and Farm 2 75 km north‐west of Rockhampton. In each study, half of a group of recently‐weaned beef calves were treated by random allocation with 0.2 mg/kg of injectable doramectin, and the remainder acting as untreated controls. Study 1 (Farm 1) enrolled 250 heifers, while studies 2 and 3 (Farm 2) both enrolled 200 steers and 200 heifers. The farms involved did not historically use macrocyclic lactone‐based drenches on their cattle. There were varying periods of follow‐up, with treated and control cattle pastured as one group throughout the study period. Worm burdens were monitored using standard faecal egg counts and larval differentiation procedures. In all studies, the worm genera present were a mix of Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp. and Oesophagostomum spp. RESULTS: In study 1, conducted on Farm 1 beginning 9 July 2012, doramectin‐treated cattle gained an average of 0.27 kg/day while control cattle gained 0.19 kg/day over a monitoring period of 121 days (P < 0.0001). In study 2, conducted on Farm 2 beginning 28 July 2015, doramectin‐treated cattle gained an average of 0.15 kg/day versus 0.145 kg/day in the control group (P = 0.44) over a 231‐day study period. In study 3, conducted on Farm 2 beginning 4 August 2016, doramectin‐treated steers and heifers gained an average of 0.431 and 0.402 kg/day versus 0.342 and 0.311 kg/day in the control group, respectively, over the first 91 days of the study (P < 0.0001 in both cases). The differences in average daily gain (ADG) in subsequent time periods were not statistically significant for steers or heifers. However, overall differences in ADG from day 0 remained statistically significant out to day 258, when the study ended for the heifers. By day 594, when the study ended for the steers, the difference in ADG was no longer significant. CONCLUSION: Treatment with injectable doramectin soon after weaning resulted in improved weight gain in the 3 months after weaning in two of the three studies.

Highlights • Administering midazolam after fear memory reactivation did not induce amnesia. • Enriched/impoverished housing conditions did not affect fear memory malleability. • Impoverished housing reduced overall contextual freezing during fear conditioning., The present study aimed to investigate the influence of housing conditions on contextual fear memory malleability. Male Wistar rats were housed in enriched, standard, or impoverished conditions after weaning and remained in these conditions throughout the entire experiment. After six weeks into those housing conditions, all animals underwent a 3-day protocol including contextual fear conditioning (day 1), memory reactivation followed by systemic administration of midazolam or vehicle (day 2), and a retention test (day 3). Percentage freezing was used as a behavioral measure of contextual fear. There was no evidence for an effect of housing conditions on the sensitivity of contextual fear memory to amnestic effects of post-reactivation midazolam administration, and no indication for amnestic effects of post-reactivation midazolam overall (including in the standard group). The inability to replicate previous demonstrations of post-reactivation amnesia using the same protocol underscores the subtle nature of post-reactivation pharmacological memory interference. Notably, impoverished housing resulted in a decrease in contextual freezing during contextual fear conditioning, reactivation and retention testing, compared to enriched and standard housing conditions. This observation warrants caution when interpreting the results from experiments regarding effects of housing on fear memory processes, particularly when freezing is used as a measure of fear.

Early weaning is used to minimize cow nutrient requirements in situations where feed inputs are scarce or expensive. For many years, maintenance energy requirements have been assumed to be 20% greater in lactating compared with non-lactating beef cows. While not well established, maintenance energy requirements are thought to be greatest in primiparous cows and to decline with age. Consequently, early weaning primiparous cow–calf pairs should improve overall efficiency, particularly in situations where mid-to-late lactation forage or feed nutritive value is low. The objective of this study was to determine the biological efficiency of early weaning and maintenance energy requirements of lactating versus non-lactating primiparous cows. Experiments were conducted in two consecutive years using 90 primiparous cows and their calves (48 in yr 1, 42 in yr 2). Pairs were randomly assigned to one of the six pens (8 pairs/pen yr 1, 7 pairs/pen yr 2) and pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments; (1) early weaning (130 d ± 15.4; EW, n = 6) and (2) traditional weaning (226 d ± 13.1; TW, n = 6). Late lactation cow and calf performance and feed consumption were measured for 92 d (yr 1) and 100 d (yr 2). Cows were limit-fed to meet maintenance requirements, while calves were offered ad libitum access to the same diet in a creep-feeding area. Calves were not allowed access to the cows’ feed. Cow feed intake, body condition score, body weight (BW), milk yield and composition, and calf body weight gain and creep feed intake were recorded. After accounting for lactation and retained energy, there was a trend for greater maintenance energy requirements of lactating primiparous cows (P = 0.07). From the early weaning date to traditional weaning date, calf average daily gain (ADG) was greater (P < 0.01) for TW calves. Feed and energy efficiency of the pair was improved for the TW system (P < 0.01). Greater ADG were reported for EW calves during the stocker period (P = 0.03), but there were no differences during the finishing period (P > 0.40). At harvest, BW was greater (P = 0.02) and gain to feed ratio tended (P = 0.06) to be improved for TW calves. The increased TW calf performance offset the additional maintenance costs of their lactating dams, resulting in the TW system converting total feed energy to kilograms of calf BW gain more efficiently.