ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE February 2023 59 (PC), a constituent of all cell membranes, including milk fat globule membranes. Choline is also required for lipoproteins and the transport of fat within and between organs. Of particular importance to the dairy farmer is PC's role in synthesizing very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). VLDL is responsible for exporting fat out of the liver, thus preventing fatty liver disease. It is estimated that this metabolic disorder costs the EU dairy industry more than €160 million annually. Also of importance to the dairy farmer, is choline’s role in the major epigenetic mechanism called methylation. Methylation is the addition of a methyl group to a specific site on a gene, which then influences how that gene is expressed. Methylation is critical to turning a gene on or off, which may explain some of the improved calf performance results seen when feeding ReaShure® Precision Release Choline to close-up dairy cows. Choline contains three methyl groups, making it one of the richest and most cost-effective sources used in methylation. And the process has long-term health advantages science is continuing to unlock. Additional studies in both humans and sheep suggest methylation patterns can impact up to three generations of offspring. CALF HEALTH Feeding ReaShure to dairy cows in late gestation had positive effects on both neonatal heifers' growth and survivability3,4. This effect is further enhanced by feeding colostrum from dams receiving ReaShure4. Cows fed ReaShure produced colostrum with significantly higher immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels3. This colostrum was also more efficiently absorbed by the calf, further adding to the benefit of feeding choline-rich ReaShure to close-up cows4. Higher blood IgG and serum protein levels from this efficiently absorbed colostrum are two key indicators of better immunity and calf health. Calves from mothers fed ReaShure choline during late pregnancy had lower rates of fever and better respiratory health. Better health status allowed the calves to eat more milk replacer and starter. In addition, when exposed to a bacterial challenge, these calves had lower levels of stress indicators4. Improved immune status and overall health resulted in calves from cows fed choline having much higher survivability than calves from non-choline fed cows, even when compromised with the bacterial challenge4. Calves that were not exposed to choline in utero or received colostrum from cows that did not receive choline had a 30% mortality rate with this bacterial challenge. Remarkably, when calves were exposed to choline in utero and received colostrum from dams fed choline, there were no deaths. CALF GROWTH Beyond greater calf survivability, better health resulted in better average daily gain (ADG)3. Table 1 shows calves exposed to choline in utero grew 45 g per day faster from birth to 50 weeks of age despite Table 1: In utero effect of prepartum feeding ReaShure ® precision release choline to dams on growth of their heifer calves *Effect of ReaShure, P<0.10. ** Effect of ReaShure, P<0.05. Control 40,4 76,7 322,2 534,0 ReaShure 38,3* 77,6 335,3** 570,0** Age Birth, kg 2 months (weaning), kg 12 months, kg Post -calving, kg 36 kg heavier at 1st calving
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