Reprod. Nutr. Dev. 43 (2003) 57-76
DOI: 10.1051/rnd:2003006

The incorporation of solubilized wheat proteins in milk replacers for veal calves: effects on growth performance and muscle oxidative capacity

Isabelle Ortigues-Marty^a, Jean-François Hocquette^a, Gérard Bertrand^b, Christophe Martineau^b, Michel Vermorel^a and René Toullec<sup>c

a</sup>  Unité de Recherches sur les Herbivores, INRA, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
^b  Institut de l'Élevage, Monvoisin, 35652 Le Rheu, France
^c  Unité Mixte de Recherche sur le Veau et le Porc, INRA/ENSAR, CS 84215, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France

(Received 7 May 2002; accepted 13 December 2002)

Abstract
Replacement of skim milk proteins by solubilized wheat protein (SWP) in milk replacers for veal calves would contribute to the reduction in feeding costs. The occurrence of metabolic disorders has, however, been reported. Forty-two male calves received one of three treatments over 140 days: a control diet, a diet containing SWP without or with branched-chain amino acid supplementation. Liveweight gain, carcass yield, color and conformation did not show any significant differences. No metabolic disorders were noted. Supplementation with branched-chain amino acids reduced the marginal Val deficiency but did not modify the growth performances. With the SWP containing diets, the plasma metabolite profile was characteristic of those observed with non-clotting diets. It was statistically correlated to the changes in the orientation of the Semitendinosus muscle energy metabolism towards a more oxidative type and to indications of a lower efficiency of amino acid utilisation for protein deposition. At the present levels of inclusion, SWP proved to be an interesting alternative to the sole use of whey as the protein source in milk replacers for veal calves.

Key words: veal / preruminant calf / wheat proteins / milk replacer / growth / blood parameters

Correspondence and reprints: Isabelle Ortigues-Marty
    e-mail: ortigues@clermont.inra.fr

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2003