Effects of compound probiotics on growth performance, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, and health status of neonatal Holstein calves

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of compound probiotics (consisting of 10 8 cfu/g of Lactobacillus plantarum, 10 8 cfu/g of Pediococcus acidilactici, 10 8 cfu/g of Pediococcus pentosaceus, 10 7 cfu/g of and Bacillus subtilis) on growth performance, rumen fermentation, bacteria community, blood parameters, and health status of Holstein calves at the first 3 mo of age. Forty-eight newborn calves were randomly divided into the following 3 groups: control group (milk replacer with no compound probiotics), low compound probiotics group (milk replacer + 0.12 g of compound probiotics per head per day), and high compound probiotics group (HP; milk replacer + 1.2 g of compound probiotics per head per day). Starter pellets of the low compound probiotics and HP groups were coated with 0.05% compound probiotics. Milk replacer was provided from 2 to 63 d of age (6 L at 2-10 d, 8 L at 11-42 d, 6 L at 43-49 d, 4 L at 50-56 d, and 2 L at 57-63 d), and starter pellets were provided ad libitum from 7 to 90 d of age. Body weight and body size (d 1, 30, 60, and 90), blood (d 40 and 80), and rumen fluid (d 90) were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA procedure; fecal score was recorded daily and analyzed as repeated measures using the mixed model procedure. Results showed that diet supplemented with compound probiotics had no effects on the body weight, average daily gain, dry matter intake, and feed efficiency. At 90 d of age, diet supplemented with compound probiotics decreased the withers height. Immunity activities increased in the HP group, supported by the increased concentrations of serum total protein and immunoglobulins at 40 d of age, and by the increased activity of superoxide dismutase at 80 d of age. Diet supplemented with compound probiotics altered rumen fermentation, indicated by the decreased rumen acetic acid and propionic acid, and the increased butyric acid concentrations. Diet supplemented with compound probiotics improved the health status of calves, indicated by the decreased fecal score at 3 wk of age and the decreased medicine treatments. In summary, although diet supplemented with HP decreased the withers height, this level of probiotics is recommended to improve rumen development and health status of newborn Holstein calves.

Effect of Methionine Analogues on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, Serum Free Amino Acids and Rumen Fermentation of Yaks

“…Serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant activity analysis were analyzed following the procedure of our previous study [ 18 ]. Briefly, after the samples thawed at 4 °C, the contents of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), creatinine (CERA), carbamide (UERA), uric acid (UA), glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglyceride (TG), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined using Hitachi 3100 (Hitachi Co., Tokyo, Japan).…”

Immunomodulation Potential of Probiotics: A Novel Strategy for Improving Livestock Health, Immunity, and Productivity

“…The probiotic was given to calves throughout their first month of life, and it enhanced their gut microbiota and growth performance, as well as some biometric parameters [41]. Hence, a high quantity of compound probiotics is suggested to progress rumen development and health status of Holstein calves [82]. It has been reported that probiotics containing Bacillus spores and nucleotides had no synergistic impact on calves' development, welfare, or fecal bacteria; however, nucleotide supplementation reduces Lactobacillus feces levels [83].…”

An Overview of Waste Milk Feeding Effect on Growth Performance, Metabolism, Antioxidant Status and Immunity of Dairy Calves

“…Likewise, MR can positively affect calf rumen development ( 59 ). Interestingly, most studies have focused on the effects of combining milk replacer with other beneficial supplements, such as probiotics and milk replacer, on the calf rumen ( 60 , 61 ). Indeed, a study found that adding probiotics to MR improved rumen development ( 61 ).…”