Effect of method of delivery of sodium butyrate on maturation of the small intestine in newborn calves

Abstract

The effect of sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation in milk replacer (MR), starter mixture (SM), or both on small intestine maturation in newborn calves was investigated. 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, without SB (MR(-) and SM(-), respectively; MR(-)/SM(-)); (2) MR(-) and SM supplemented with SB encapsulated within triglyceride matrix (SM(+), 0.6% as fed; MR(-)/SM(+)); (3) MR supplemented with crystalline SB (MR(+), 0.3% as fed) and SM(-) (MR(+)/SM(-)); or (4) MR(+) and SM(+) (MR(+)/SM(+)). The MR was offered in amounts equal to 10% of initial body weight of the calf. The SM was blended with whole corn grain (50/50; wt/wt) and offered ad libitum as a starter diet. Calves were slaughtered at 26 d (± 1) of age and small intestine development was investigated. Treatment with MR(+) decreased villus height in the proximal jejunum and decreased villus height, crypt depth, and tunica mucosa thickness in the middle jejunum, whereas treatment with SM(+) tended to increase small intestine weight and crypt depth in the proximal jejunum, and increased villus height in the distal jejunum. In the duodenum, crypt depth and tunica mucosa thickness were greater for the MR(-)/SM(+) group compared with MR(-)/SM(-), MR(+)/SM(-), and MR(+)/SM(+) groups. In the ileum, crypt depth was less for MR(-)/SM(+) compared with MR(-)/SM(-). Supplementation with SB in both MR and SM enhanced cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis in the middle jejunum mucosa. Regarding brush border enzyme activities, addition of SB to MR increased lactase activity in the middle jejunum and maltase activity in the distal jejunum, and tended to increase lactase activity in the distal jejunum, aminopeptidase A activity in the middle jejunum and ileum, and aminopeptidase N activity in the ileum. In contrast, SM(+) increased dipeptidylpeptidase IV activity in the distal jejunum and tended to increase aminopeptidase N in the distal jejunum. In conclusion, both MR(+) and SM(+) affected small intestine development in newborn calves. This effect depended on the method of SB delivery but MR(+) generally had a more pronounced effect. No synergistic effect of SB supplementation into MR and SM was found.

The effect of tributyrin supplementation to milk replacer on plasma glucagon‐like peptide 2 concentrations in pre‐weaning calves

“…It has been shown that butyrate is an important regulator and stimulator for proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of epithelial cells in the stomach and small intestine of calves and piglets (Guilloteau et al, ; Kotunia et al, ; Mazzoni et al, ). Practically, Gorka et al () reported that sodium butyrate supplementation in MR increased ileum weight and length of newborn dairy calves. In the previous study, although total feed DMI and ME intake did not differ, supplementation of sodium butyrate in MR tended to increase BW at 7, 14, and 21 days after birth and ADG from 0 to 7 days after birth in newborn calves (Gorka et al, ).…”

“…Therefore, butyrate supplementation in diets may have positive effect on GIT development directly as well as indirectly through GLP‐2 action in calves. On the other hand, sodium butyrate supplementation in MR increased ileal length and tended to increase ileal weight in newborn calves whereas had no effect on plasma GLP‐2 concentration (Gorka et al, , ). As an alternative to sodium butyrate, glycerol tributyrate (tributyrin; TB) could be used as a butyrate source.…”

Nutrition and feeding of dairy cattle

“…38 Sodium butyrate is involved in epithelial development in many species. It appears that adding it to milk replacer enhances intestinal development 39 while adding it to post-weaned heifer diets enhances feed efficiency. 40…”

The influence of age and weaning on permeability of the gastrointestinal tract in Holstein bull calves

“…Although rumen development is often evaluated to assess weaning programs, it should be acknowledged that rumen development may be associated with developmental changes in the small intestine (Górka et al, 2011(Górka et al, , 2013 and thus, weaning may influence more regions than the rumen due to changes in nutrient supply and type of nutrient provided, as discussed above. Mannitol, inulin, and Cr-EDTA are markers that have been used to assess GIT permeability.…”