Hydrolyzed Yeast Supplementation in Calf Starter Promotes Innate Immune Responses in Holstein Calves under Weaning Stress Condition

Abstract

Weaned calves are susceptible to infectious diseases because of the stress and malnutrition that occurs during weaning. Therefore, the dairy industry requires effective feed additives to ameliorate stress responses and promote immunity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hydrolyzed yeast (HY) supplementation on the growth performance, immune and stress parameters, and health status of calves after weaning. Eighteen Holstein calves were randomly assigned to two groups, either receiving a control calf starter or 0.2% HY calf starter from one week of age. All calves were weaned at six weeks of age as a stress challenge. The HY-fed calves had a significantly-higher body weight gain during the post-weaning period (kg/week) compared to the control. Cortisol levels at three days post-weaning (DPW) were significantly lower in the HY group than the control group. Calves fed HY had significantly-higher serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β at one DPW. The HY-fed calves also had higher concentrations of the acute-phase proteins, haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and transferrin at one DPW. In addition, the diarrhea severity in HY-fed calves was milder after weaning compared to the control group. Our results indicate that HY supplementation reduces stress responses and may promote innate immunity in newly-weaned calves.

The Effects of Fucoidan Dietary Supplementation on Growth Performance, Serum Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Function Indices and Intestinal Morphology in Weaned Kids

“…Previous research confirmed that weaning reduced immunity function, making invasion by external pathogenic microorganisms easier [27]. Immunoglobulin and cytokines are an important part of the immune system [28].…”

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Hydrolyzed Yeast on Growth Performance, Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, and Hematology in Growing Beef Cattle

“…Neutrophils can protect livestock against the most common infectious diseases [ 56 ]. Kim et al [ 57 ] observed that Holstein calves fed HY showed enhanced neutrophils. Similarly, Wang et al [ 14 ] indicated that live yeast increases the expression of genes that improve the function of neutrophils, especially those that code for the IL-4 receptor and IL-1B in dairy cattle.…”

Inmunocompetencia frente a los virus asociada con el suministro de calostro materno, reemplazador de calostro y lactoterapia en terneras

“…Los casos de diarrea fueron registrados cuando las terneras defecaron desde heces blandas hasta fluidas, con aumento de la frecuencia y pérdida del control fisiológico de la evacuación de las heces; así como la presentación de deshidratación, pérdida de peso, quejidos, dolor abdominal, decúbito o muerte. Mientras tanto, los eventos asociados con enfermedad respiratoria fueron registrados cuando la ternera mostró secreción patológica de las fosas nasales, tos, apatía, disnea, fiebre, decúbito o muerte (Karle et al, 2019;Kim et al, 2020;Timmerman et al, 2005). Además, la respuesta humoral frente a la inmunización en terneras contra el VDVB fue determinada mediante la prueba de virus neutralización (PVN).…”