Molasses as a possible cause of an ''endocrine disruptive syndrome'' in calves

dc.contributor.authorMasgoret, M.S.
dc.contributor.authorBotha, C.J. (Christoffel Jacobus)
dc.contributor.authorMyburgh, Jan G.
dc.contributor.authorNaude, T.W.
dc.contributor.authorProzesky, Leon
dc.contributor.authorNaidoo, Vinny
dc.contributor.authorVan Wyk, J.H. (Amie)
dc.contributor.authorPool, E.J.
dc.contributor.authorSwan, Gerry E.
dc.contributor.emailchristo.botha@up.ac.zaen
dc.date.accessioned2010-05-20T12:03:55Z
dc.date.available2010-05-20T12:03:55Z
dc.date.issued2009-06
dc.description.abstractDuring the mid 1990s a potentially serious, chronic syndrome was reported in well-managed beef and dairy herds from unrelated parts of South Africa. Farmers reported that it manifested as various combinations of decreased production, decreased weaning masses, apparent immune breakdown in previously immunocompetent animals, increased reproductive disorders, various mineral imbalances in non-deficient areas and goitre, noticeable as enlarged thyroid glands. The farmers associated this syndrome with certain batches of sugar cane molasses and molasses-based products. The syndrome was reminiscent of an “endocrine disruptive syndrome”. The objective of this study was to evaluate the suspected endocrine disruptive effect of molasses included in cattle feed. Using existing in vitro assays, four batches of molasses syrup were screened for possible inclusion in a calf feeding trial. Two batches were selected for the trial. Thirty-two, 4- to 6-week-old, weaned Holstein bull calves were included in the single phase, three treatment, parallel design experiment. In two of the groups of calves, two different batches of molasses were included in their rations respectively. The control group was fed a ration to which no molasses was added, but which was balanced for energy and mineral content. The mass gain of the calves was recorded over the 6-month study period. The calves were clinically examined every week and clinical pathology parameters, immune responses and endocrine effects were regularly evaluated. Even though endocrine disrupting effects were detected with the in vitro screening assays, these could not be reproduced in the calves in the experiment. The two batches of molasses utilized in the calf feeding trial did not induce major differences in any of the parameters measured, with the exception of a lower mass gain in one of the molasses-fed groups (Group 1), which tended towards significance. The results of the study indicate that the two batches of molasses had no endocrine disruptive or immunosuppressive effects in calves.en
dc.identifier.citationMasgoret, MS, Botha, CJ, Myburgh, JG, Naude, TW, Prozesky, L, Naidoo, V, Van Wyk, JH, Pool, EJ & Swan, GE 2009, 'Molasses as a possible cause of an ''endocrine disruptive syndrome'' in calves', Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 209-225. [http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_opvet.html]en
dc.identifier.issn0030-2465
dc.identifier.other8621439700
dc.identifier.other7102127047
dc.identifier.other7006558662
dc.identifier.other35321482200
dc.identifier.otherI-7222-2013 
dc.identifier.otherO-5991-2014
dc.identifier.otherA-1508-2008
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/14071
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherAgricultural Research Council, ARC-OVI and the University of Pretoriaen
dc.rightsAgricultural Research Council, ARC-OVI and the University of Pretoriaen
dc.subjectEndocrine disruptive compounden
dc.subjectEndocrine disruptive syndromeen
dc.subjectHolstein calvesen
dc.subjectSugar cane molassesen
dc.subject.lcshMolassesen
dc.subject.lcshMolasses as feeden
dc.subject.lcshEndocrine glands -- Diseasesen
dc.titleMolasses as a possible cause of an ''endocrine disruptive syndrome'' in calvesen
dc.typeArticleen

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