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COMPLETING THE OSMOLALITY STORY ELIXIR Energized Calf Milk has been developed with whole milk as the biological reference; the best of whole milk combined with the best of calf milk replacer. Specifically formulated for optimal development, resilience to disease and improved longevity. ELIXIR is a revolution in early life nutrition. Research behind ELIXIR confirmed that further understanding osmolality of calf milk replacer (CMR) can affect gastrointestinal permeability and, therefore, how effectively nutrients are absorbed. Osmolality is defined as the concentration of a solution expressed as the total number of solute particles per kilogram. Whole milk has an osmolality of 300-330 mOsm/ kg with most calf milk replacers typically having an osmolality of 400-600mOsm/kg. This considerable difference between CMR and whole milk leads to the disruption of the osmotic potential in the gut, sub-optimal absorption of nutrients and considerable bouts of diarrhoea. Calf scour (diarrhoea) is the most common disease in young calves, costing the cattle industry ÂŁ11 million each year (AHDB).
Digestive disorders are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in calves
COMPLETING THE OSMOLALITY STORY
Adapted from Urie et al., JDS, 2018a
Many farmers use electrolytes intended for the treatment of dehydration due to diarrhoea. These oral rehydration solutions are used with the intention of rehydrating the calf and reducing the scour incidence. The calf, due to the scour has lost water, energy and minerals which need to be replaced for the calf to recover. Oral electrolyte solutions are administered to replace the sodium lost in diarrhoea with most formulations including sodium, glucose and some alkalising agents. In order to be effective, it is critical that the ratio’s and levels are carefully balanced so as not to upset the osmotic balance even further.
Further understanding of osmolality of CMR can affect gastrointestinal permeability and, therefore, how effectively nutrients are absorbed
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