Fat composition in milk replacers modulates plasma cholesterol of dairy calves

This study evaluated the effect of feeding milk replacers (MR) differing in fat composition on plasma cholesterol of dairy calves. Forty-five individually housed male Holstein calves (2.3 ± 0.82 d; mean ± SD) were blocked by arrival day and age. Within each block, calves were randomly assigned to (1) an MR containing a fat blend with 65% rapeseed and 35% coconut fats (RC), (2) an MR containing 65% palm and 35% coconut fats (PC), and (3) an MR containing 65% lard and 35% dairy cream (LD). All MR were isoenergetic with 30% fat, 25% protein, and 36% lactose (DM). Calves were fed 6.0 L/d from d 1 to 5, 7.0 L/d from d 6 to 9, and 8.0 L/d from d 10 to 35 at 13.5% solids. Water and chopped wheat straw were available ad libitum from arrival onward. Milk, water, and straw intakes were recorded daily. Blood was sampled and BW was measured weekly at 1300 h. Fecal scores were recorded daily after the morning meal. Growth and intakes did not differ among treatments. Plasma total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were higher in calves fed RC than PC and LD, and higher in calves fed PC than LD. Additionally, plasma triglyceride was greater in calves fed PC than LD at wk 2 after arrival, while calves fed RC did not differ from other groups. The proportion of abnormal fecal scores was lower in calves fed RC than PC and LD in wk 2. The fat composition in MR significantly influenced lipid metabolism in calves but had no impact on growth.