Feeding Pre-weaned Calves With Waste Milk Containing Antibiotic Residues Is Related to a Higher Incidence of Diarrhea and Alterations in the Fecal Microbiota

• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.650150
• Publication Date: 2021-07-08T16:08:58Z
• Authors: Martina Penati; Giulia Sala; Filippo Biscarini; Antonio Boccardo; Valerio Bronzo; Bianca Castiglioni; Paola Cremonesi; Paolo Moroni; Davide Pravettoni; Maria Filippa Addis
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; calf; milk; 0303 health sciences; Veterinary medicine; microbiome; gut microbiome; mastitis; antibiotic residues; calf; gut microbiome; mastitis; microbiome; milk; 03 medical and health sciences; SF600-1100; antibiotic residues; Veterinary Science

The cows receiving antibiotics for intra-mammary infection (IMI) produce milk that cannot be marketed. This is considered waste (WM), and a convenient option farmers using it as calf food. However, adding to the risk of selecting resistant bacteria, residual might interfere with gut microbiome development influence gastrointestinal health. We assessed longitudinal effect unpasteurized WM containing cefalexin on intestinal health fecal microbiota in an 8-week trial. After 3 days colostrum, six calves received bulk tank (BM) 2 weeks. For following 6 weeks, all 12 substitute starter feed. Every week first weeks every remaining we subjected clinical examination collected rectal swabs investigating composition. Most had diarrhea episodes trial (5/6 1/6 BM), their body weight was significantly lower than BM calves. Based 16S rRNA gene analysis, alpha diversity calves, lowest