The effect of milk enrichment with vitamin C and copper on performance, skeletal growth index, digestibility, blood biochemical attributes and liver enzyme activity in suckling calves

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article (Regular Paper)

Authors

1 Department of Animal and Poultry Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

2 Faculty of Veterinary, Turkmen Agricultural University named after S.A.Niyazov

Abstract

To investigate the effect of milk enrichment with vitamin C and copper on dairy calves, 20 newborn calves were used in a completely randomized factorial design with 4 treatments of 5 replication each. Experimental treatments included: 1) control group (without copper and vitamin C supplementation), 2) copper added to milk, 3) vitamin C added to milk and 4) supplementation of milk with copper and vitamin C. Vitamin C and/or copper supplements for each treatment were completely dissolved in milk before feeding. The group receiving vitamin C and copper simultaneously (P<0.05) recorded the best performance in weight on day 63, daily weight gain on days 1-21 and 1-63, and feed intake on days 22-42, 43-63, and 1-63. The highest levels of glucose, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL, and the lowest level of HDL were observed in the group receiving vitamin C and copper simultaneously (P<0.05). The lowest cortisol and highest insulin levels were observed in the group receiving vitamin C and copper simultaneously (P<0.05). The enrichment of milk with vitamin C, copper, and the combination of vitamin C and copper had no effect on the withers height, hip height, hip width, body length, heart girth and body barrel of the calves. Also, no significant differences were observed between the treatments containing copper and vitamin C and the control group regarding the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber. In general, it is concluded that the simultaneous enrichment of milk with vitamin C and copper during the first two months of calves' lives enhanced growth performance, reduced steress and bolsterd their immune system.

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References

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Available Online from 24 February 2026

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