Effects of hydrolyzed yeast supplementation in calf starter on immune responses to vaccine challenge in neonatal calves

Abstract

The effects of hydrolyzed yeast supplementation on growth performance, health and immune-physiological parameters in neonatal calves challenged with vaccine were investigated. Twelve Holstein calves were started in the experiment at 2 6 1 days of age and were studied for 35 days. Calves were randomly assigned to each of two dietary treatments, a control (CON) and hydrolyzed yeast (HY) group. The calves in the HY group received control calf starter supplemented with 0.2% HY. All calves were given calf starter ad libitum for 5 weeks starting in week 1. Calves were also given whole milk according to a step-down milking protocol. In order to induce immune responses, all calves were challenged with Hog cholera and Erysipelothrix insidiossa live vaccines by intramuscular injection at 3 weeks of age. Growth performance and feed intake were not affected by dietary treatment throughout the experimental period, except that the HY group had significantly higher ( P , 0.05) milk intake than did the CON group at 3 weeks of age. Calves in the HY group showed significantly better ( P , 0.05) fecal and health scores at 3 weeks compared to those in the control group. After vaccine challenge, neutropenia, lymphophilia and thrombocytopenia were observed in the CON group, but calves in the HY group did not show significant changes of leukocytes. The average concentration of serum haptoglobin in the HY group was significantly higher ( P , 0.05) at 1 and 3 days post-vaccine challenge (DPVC) than that of CON group. Feeding HY supplemented calf starter resulted in a higher ( P , 0.05) relative amount of bacterial and viral -specific IgA than in the CON group at 5 DPVC. Although the percentage of CD4 1 T cells was significantly ( P , 0.05) higher in the HY group than in the CON group at 22 DPVC, significant differences between groups after vaccine challenge was not observed during the experimental period. These results suggest that 0.2% HY supplementation in calf starter can improve the health status and immune-related serum protein production and affect blood cell composition in neonatal calves after vaccine challenge.

Does yeast (<i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>) supplementation in calf starter modify feed intake and liveweight gain of dairy bull calves?

“…Also Kim et al (2011) observed that calves from the hydrolysed yeast group showed better faecal and health scores after 3 weeks when compared with those in the control group. According to Chaucheyras-Durand et al (2008), yeast responses vary depending on the strain of yeast used, the nature of the diet and the physiological status of the animal.…”

“…However, results in dairy calves are inconsistent throughout the literature. Kim et al (2011) reported no difference in feed intake, liveweight or feed efficiency when neonatal calves received either control calf starter or starter supplemented with 0.2% of hydrolysed yeast. Moreover, Quigley et al (1992) observed a significant decrease in DM intake with supplemental yeast culture.…”

“…The used dose of yeast culture was established according to Lascano and Heinrichs (2009). Kim et al (2011) stated that yeast has been typically included in calf diets at levels between 0.001% and 1%, with some positive effects on DM intake, rumen pH and nutrient digestibility.…”

“…Incorporation of microbial additives such as a culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to the diet has become a common practice in ruminant nutrition (Chaucheyras-Durand et al, 2008;Magalhães et al, 2008;Desnoyers et al, 2009, Kim et al, 2011. Influences of yeast culture supplementation on numerous growth and production traits have been studied in most ruminant age classes Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sc 47) as a percentage of dry matter starter.…”

Acute phase proteins in ruminants

“…Altering the diet around the peripartum period and examining the effect of supplementation with safflower oil or palm oil have shown that the plasma concentrations of Hp and fibrinogen were greater in cows fed with a safflower oil than the palm oil, the conclusion being that the safflower oil supplement leads to an improved innate immune system better able to cope with infection in the postpartum period [211]. The effect of adding hydrolyzed yeast to the diet of calves on the response of Hp to live vaccine challenge (Hog cholera and Erysipelothrix insidiosa) was that the calves given the yeast supplement had a significantly higher Hp concentration on days 1 and 3 post vaccination than a control group [212] and could be better able to respond to infectious challenge.…”