Protein Synthesis in Jejunum and Liver of Neonatal Calves Fed Vitamin A and Lactoferrin》.pdf

J. Dairy Sci. 89:3075–3086 © American Dairy Science Association, 2006. Protein Synthesis in Jejunum and Liver of Neonatal Calves Fed Vitamin A and Lactoferrin K. Rufibach,*1 N. Stefanoni,† V. Rey-Roethlisberger,† P. Schneiter,† M. G. Doherr,‡ L. Tappy,† and J. W. Blum*2,3 *Division of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Institute of Animal Genetics, Nutrition and Housing, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland †Institute of Physiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaud, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland ‡Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland ABSTRACT morphometrical traits of the jejunum and FSRLiv was correlated with plasma albumin concentrations. Rates of protein synthesis (PS) and turnover are more Key words: neonatal calf, lactoferrin, protein synthe- rapid during the neonatal period than during any other sis, vitamin A stage of postnatal life. Vitamin A and lactoferrin (Lf) can stimulate PS in neonates. However, newborn calves INTRODUCTION are vitamin A deficient and have a low Lf status, but plasma vitamin A and Lf levels increase rapidly after The rate of protein synthesis (PS) is more important ingestion of colostrum. Neonatal calves (n = 6 per group) during the neonatal period than during any other stage were fed colostrum or a milk-based formula without or of postnatal life (Davis and Reeds, 1998b) and is maxi- with vitamin A, Lf, or vitamin A plus Lf to study PS in mally stimulated after feeding (O’Connor et al., 2004). the jejunum and liver. L-[13C]Valine was intravenously In the