Feeding milk supplemented with Ulva sp., Ascophyllum nodosum, or Saccharina latissima to preweaning dairy calves: Effects on growth, gut microbiota, gut histomorphology, and short-chain fatty acids in digesta

Abstract

Emerging knowledge shows the importance of preweaning nutrition on programming the gastrointestinal microbiome and development of the gut barrier function. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of supplementing cow milk with either intact dried Ulva sp., Ascophyllum nodosum, or Saccharina latissima on growth performance and several gut health parameters of preweaning dairy calves. Forty male Holstein calves were selected based on birth weight (41 ± 4 kg) and plasma Brix percentage (≥8.7%) at d 2 of life. From d 2 to d 42 of life, the control calves (n = 10) were fed with cow milk (8 L/d) without seaweed supplementation, and the experimental calves were fed with cow milk (8 L/d) supplemented with either Ulva sp. (n = 10), A. nodosum (n = 10), or S. latissima (n = 10) at a concentration of 50 g/8 L of cow milk per day (i.e., 5% on a dry matter basis). Calves were weighed every week, and body weight gain and calf starter intake were monitored weekly. At d 42 ± 3 of life, calves were slaughtered. The organ weights and digesta pH from the reticulorumen, mid-and end small intestine, and mid-colon were recorded. A tissue sample (5 cm) collected from the mid-small intestine was analyzed for histomorphology. Digesta from the mid-small intestine and mid-colon were analyzed for lactobacilli, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacteriaceae, and short-chain fatty acid profile. Weight gain of the calves was not affected by seaweed supplementation. Proportional organ weights were not affected by seaweed supplementation except for reticulorumen weight, which was higher in calves fed Ulva sp.Both the mid-small intestinal and mid-colonic digesta populations of lactobacilli, Enterobacteriaceae, and E. coli, as well as the mid-small intestinal histomorphology in seaweed-supplemented calves were not different from control calves. However, acetic acid proportion in mid-colonic digesta was increased in calves fed Ulva sp. and A. nodosum, whereas butyric acid proportion was decreased compared with the control calves. Digesta pH in mid-and end small intestine and mid-colon were not affected, whereas ruminal pH was increased in calves fed Ulva sp. compared with the control calves. In conclusion, intact dried seaweed supplementation did not improve the growth or selected gut health parameters (i.e., histomorphology, digesta pH, bacteria, and short-chain fatty acids) in preweaning Holstein calves.

The Use of Ascophyllum nodosum and Bacillus subtilis C-3102 in the Management of Canine Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy: A Pilot Study

“…Of the faecal fermentative end-products, acetic acid was most likely affected by the total dietary fibre content of the treatments (TDF CTR diet = 11.75%; TDF HP diet = 12.92%; TDF HPA diet = 18.02%), being the lowest in the CTR group, and peaking after HPA dietary intervention, where it reached statistical significance. It can be conjectured that the present finding reflected the inclusion of AN, a rich source of soluble fibres (e.g., alginic acid, laminarin, and sulphated polysaccharides) [ 12 ] in the HP diet, which stimulated acetogenesis within the gut microbiota, as already reported in humans and pre-ruminants [ 64 , 65 ]. In sharp contrast, a recent investigation carried out in healthy dogs failed to demonstrate any influence on faecal L-SCFA profile when intact AN was supplemented at a dose of 15 g/kg of diet (as is) for a maximum of 28 days [ 66 ].…”

Effects of Pathogenic Escherichia coli Infection on the Flora Composition, Function, and Content of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Calf Feces

“…Moreover, the SCFA content in feces is related to some diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), cardiovascular diseases, diarrhea [39], and cancer [40]. At the same time, previous studies have shown that SCFAs can regulate the host's biological response, including intestinal integrity, lipid metabolism, and the immune system [41][42][43][44][45]. Butyrate is the main energy source of colon epithelial cells, which can reduce the permeability of intestinal mucosa, promote the recovery of the intestinal barrier, and prevent or reduce the incidence of colon cancer [46].…”

Integrated transcriptomics and proteomics analysis reveals muscle metabolism effects of dietary Ulva lactuca and ulvan lyase supplementation in weaned piglets

“…However, extracts from these seaweeds have been reported to be used in feeding farm animals. Samarasinghe et al 14 have reported the effects of milk supplementation with Ulva sp. fed to preweaning calves on performance and gut health.…”