Effect of method of delivery of sodium butyrate on rumen development in newborn calves

Abstract

The effect of sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation in milk replacer (MR) or in starter mixture (SM) or in both MR and SM on performance, selected blood parameters, and rumen development in newborn calves was determined. Twenty-eight male calves with a mean age of 5 (±1) d were randomly allocated into 1 of 4 groups (7 animals per group) and fed (1) MR and SM, both without SB (MR(-) and SM(-), respectively); (2) MR(-) and SM supplemented with SB encapsulated within a triglyceride matrix (SM(+), 0.6% as fed; 30:70 butyrate-to-triglyceride matrix); (3) MR supplemented with crystalline SB (MR(+), 0.3% as fed) and SM(-); or (4) MR(+) and SM(+). The MR was offered in an amount equal to 10% of the initial body weight (BW) of each calf. The SM was blended with whole corn grain (50/50; wt/wt) and offered ad libitum as a starter diet (0.3% encapsulated-within-triglyceride matrix SB when SM(+) was fed) from the first day of the trial. Calves were slaughtered at d 21 of a trial (mean age 26±1 d). Addition of SB into MR (MR(+)) positively affected BW and average daily gain, tended to decrease the number of days with electrolyte therapies from d 0 to 7, and tended to positively affect fecal consistency from d 8 to 14 of the trial. Inclusion of SB into SM (SM(+)) increased starter diet intake from d 15 to 21, decreased the number of days with scours, and tended to decrease the number of days with electrolyte therapies in the whole trial period. Both MR(+) and SM(+) increased plasma glucose in the whole trial period and MR(+) increased total serum protein at d 14. The SM(+) increased plasma glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) concentration at d 7 of the trial when compared with the concentration at d 0. Both MR(+) and SM(+) increased reticulorumen weight and papillae length and width. Based on these results, it can be concluded that addition of SB in MR positively affected BW gain, health, and some metabolic intermediates of calves and it stimulated rumen development indirectly, whereas SB supplementation in SM stimulated rumen development directly. Addition of SB both in MR and SM could be recommended for rearing calves.

Effects of Na-butyrate supplementation in milk formula on plasma concentrations of GH and insulin, and on rumen papilla development in calves

“…These effects could explain the increase in BW gain of the animals. In this study, however, there was no difference in BW gain between the two groups (with and without butyrate supplementation), as it was observed by Gorka et al (2009Gorka et al ( , 2011 and Flaga et al (2009). These observations could be due to the feeding experimental schedule, which is commonly less intensive, or to the different quality of MF used in Japan from that in EU countries; Japanese MF contains casein but that of the EU does not.…”

“…In contrast, in young calves (26 days of age), butyrate supplementation of MF and/or starter diet exerted a pronounced effect on GIT development, particularly on the abomasum and small intestine, which may be controlled by IGF2 and ghrelin ). Moreover, Glucagon-like peptide-2 could be implicated (Gorka et al 2011). Milk replacer feeding in young calves and goat kids or drinking milk directly from their dam's teats in goat kids caused an increase in the plasma concentrations of insulin and GH (Katoh et al 2004, Kobayashi et al 2006.…”

“…It is thought to be metabolized in the GIT wall (and/or in the liver) because it is not found in the peripheral blood (Manzanilla et al 2006, 2010a. Thus, for GIT, the effects on the stomach and hindgut seem to be direct (Mentschel et al 2001, Gorka et al 2009, 2011, whereas the effects on the pancreas and small intestine are probably indirect. In these last conditions, the actions of butyrate are believed to involve the hormononeuro-immunosystem (Guilloteau et al 2010a).…”

“…These substances were found to have widespread positive effects on digestive secretions (pancreas and small intestine), digestibility and feed efficiency, growth rate, adiposity through the modulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and function in the GIT, especially mucosal epithelial cells, and on defence systems (barrier function, antimicrobial potency, and immune system) in healthy and sick animals (Pouillart 1998, Partanen & Mroz 1999, Gauthier 2002, Scheppach & Weiler 2004, Franco et al 2005, Mroz 2005, Manzanilla et al 2006, Mazzoni et al 2008, Le Gall et al 2009, 2010b. Moreover, sodium-butyrate (Na-butyrate) supplementation in milk formula (MF) and/or starter diet intake by neonatal calves had a beneficial effect on calf growth and nutrient utilization, modified the relative weight of the different parts of the forestomach, and produced larger rumen papillae length and width, suggesting an enhancement of the rumen (Gorka et al 2009, 2011, Slusarczyk et al 2010. The stimulated papillae growth in newborn calves was confirmed in other experiments (Tamate et al 1962, Mentschel et al 2001.…”

“…4% of dry matter). These experiments were realized mainly in milk-fed calf (Guilloteau et al , 2010b or in piglet before weaning (Kotunia et al 2004, Mazzoni et al 2008, Le Gall et al 2009, and sometimes during (or after) weaning in calf (Gorka et al 2009, 2011 or in piglet (Gálfi & Boroki 1990, Wang et al 2005, Biagi et al 2007, Le Gall et al 2009). These substances were found to have widespread positive effects on digestive secretions (pancreas and small intestine), digestibility and feed efficiency, growth rate, adiposity through the modulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and function in the GIT, especially mucosal epithelial cells, and on defence systems (barrier function, antimicrobial potency, and immune system) in healthy and sick animals (Pouillart 1998, Partanen & Mroz 1999, Gauthier 2002, Scheppach & Weiler 2004, Franco et al 2005, Mroz 2005, Manzanilla et al 2006, Mazzoni et al 2008, Le Gall et al 2009, 2010b.…”