Performance and plasma metabolites of dairy calves fed starter containing sodium butyrate, calcium propionate or sodium monensin

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the influence of supplementation of sodium butyrate, sodium monensin or calcium propionate in a starter diet on the performance and selected plasma metabolites (plasma glucose, non-esterified fatty acids and b-hydroxybutyrate) of Holstein calves during pre-and post-weaning periods. Twenty-four newborn Holstein calves were housed in individual hutches until 10 weeks of life, receiving water free choice, and fed four liters of milk daily. Calves were blocked according to weight and date of birth, and allocated to one of the following treatments, according to the additive in the starter: (i) sodium butyrate (150 g/kg); (ii) sodium monensin (30 mg/kg); and (iii) calcium propionate (150 g/kg). During 10 weeks, calves received starter ad libitum, while coast cross hay (Cynodon dactylon (L.) pers.) was offered after weaning, which occurred at the 8th week of age. Weekly, calves were weighted and evaluated for body measurements. Blood samples were taken weekly after the fourth week of age, 2 hours after the morning feeding, for determination of plasma metabolites. No differences were observed among treatments for starter or hay intake, BW and daily gain of the animals. Mean concentrations of selected plasma metabolites were similar in calves fed a starter supplemented with sodium butyrate, sodium monensin and calcium propionate. There was significant reduction in the concentrations of plasma glucose as calves aged. The inclusion of sodium butyrate, calcium propionate or sodium monensin as additives in starter feeds resulted in equal animal performance, before and after weaning, suggesting that sodium monensin may be replaced by organic acid salts. Keywords: additives, early weaning, ionophores, ruminal development ImplicationsThis study was conducted to evaluate organic acid salts inclusion in calf starters as a replacement to the traditional use of ionophore, since these antibiotics were banned as growth promoters in the European Union. Since all commercial starters include ionophores, an alternative additive that could result in the same pattern of animal performance should be studied. The organic acid salts were chosen because they lack the antibiotic effect but could have beneficial effects on the rumen development processes. In addition, as seen in the non-ruminant industry, acidified feeds may have a beneficial effect on the health of the lower gastrointestinal tract. IntroductionCalf rumen development, crucial for the early weaning program, is strongly related to the intake of fermentable organic matter and the resulting short-chain fatty acids (SCFA; Greenwood et al., 1997). Ruminal metabolism studies have pointed out butyric and propionic acids as the main stimuli for rumen development and the maturation process , which suggests that additives that furnish higher SCFA concentrations or alter the rumen fermentation pattern may be used as a tool for reducing the milk feeding period.The inclusion of ionophores in ruminant diets has shown changes in the SCFA concentrations, mainl...

Performance and physiological responses of milk-fed calves to coated calcium butyrate supplementation

“…Thus, our VFA data support the theory that elevating DMI may improve VFA concentration and rumen development, particularly in young calves. Ferreira & Bittar (2011) demonstrated that physical traits such as wither height, heart girth and hip width of calves improved when their milk replacer was supplemented with sodium butyrate, which conforms with the results of present study. Increase in DMI and improvement of physical traits suggest that CCB, together with high-quality milk replacer and starter, has a major impact on calves' growth within a short period of time.…”

“…A simple explanation for the increased serum BHBA concentration in CCB group was daily butyrate intake. Another putative consequence of elevated serum concentration of BHBA, which is confirmed by Ferreira &Bittar (2011) andYari et al (2010), is that the increased starter intake resulted in a higher rumen VFA production.…”

“…Organic acids, such as butyric and propionic acid, are considered the main stimulators of rumen development (Gorka et al, 2009). Researchers confirmed that additives containing butyrate and propionate may affect weaning date (Ferreira & Bittar, 2011). It is generally accepted that the presence of VFAs is one of the effective prerequisites for rumen development (Martin et al, 1959;Gorka et al, 2011).…”

Essential oils for dairy calves: effects on performance, scours, rumen fermentation and intestinal fauna

“…Even though supplementation with EO blend did not affect (P > 0.05) BW and average daily gain (Figure 2), there was a significant effect of age for these variables (P < 0.0001; Table 2), which progressively increased until the 10 th week of life. The weight gain values are similar to those found by Ferreira and Bittar (2011), in similar housing and climate conditions, when additives to improve the overall performance of dairy calves were tested.…”

“…However, since calves were growing, there was a significant age effect (P < 0.0001) for all measures. Observed body measurements are slightly lower than those found by Ferreira and Bittar (2011), with sodium propionate supplementation as an alternative to antibiotics in similar experimental conditions.…”