Using MOS - the same carbohydrate found in Alphamune® and Beta Mos™ - improves immune function in dry cows and enhances the transfer of rotavirus antibodies to their calves, according to research published in the February 2005 Journal of Dairy Science.

Researchers at the University of Kentucky vaccinated cows against rotavirus at 4 weeks and again at 2 weeks before expected calving. About half of the cows also received MOS supplementation during the last 3 weeks before calving.

At calving, the supplemented cows and their calves had higher blood-serum rotavirus neutralization titers - an indication of enhanced response to immunization against rotavirus - than non-supplemented cows and their calves.

The calves whose mothers received MOS also had higher serum-protein concentrations - another indicator of better immunity.

More than 62 percent of calf deaths are attributed to diarrhea or other digestive maladies, according to USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System.  It therefore makes good sense to do all you can to assist young calves fighting enteric disease.

Good nutrition is, of course, essential to ensure a healthy gut, and antibiotics are necessary for controlling specific infections. To complement these efforts, more nutritionists and veterinarians are recommending the use of natural supplements.

For example: Some supplements contain mannan oligosaccharides, or MOS, which is extracted from the outer wall of yeast cells. Pathogenic bacteria in the gut are attracted to MOS. Instead of attaching themselves to the intestinal wall lining and multiplying, they readily bind with the carbohydrate and are excreted with the feces — before they can cause problems in young calves.  The result is often a healthier intestinal environment with less pressure from enteric disease.

By focusing on intestinal health and using supplements to strategically populate the gut with the right balance of bacteria, producers can help herds fight off enteric problems such as Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome — a rapidly emerging, highly fatal intestinal disease.

For more about improving intestinal health with natural supplements, click on the links below. 

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