Supplementation with sodium butyrate improves growth and antioxidant function in dairy calves before weaning

Abstract

Background There is increasing research interest in using short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including butyrate as potential alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in animal production. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation of sodium butyrate (SB) in liquid feeds (milk, milk replacer, and the mixture of both) on the growth performance, rumen fermentation, and serum antioxidant capacity and immunoglobins in dairy calves before weaning. Forty healthy female Holstein calves (4-day-old, 40 ± 5 kg of body weight) were housed in individual hutches and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatment groups (n = 10 per group) using the RAND function in Excel. The control group was fed no SB (SB0), while the other three groups were supplemented with 15 (SB15), 30 (SB30), or 45 (SB45) g/d of SB mixed into liquid feeds offered. The calves were initially fed milk only (days 2 to 20), then a mixture of milk and milk replacer (days 21 to 23), and finally milk replacer only (days 24 to 60). Results The SB supplementation enhanced growth and improved feed conversion into body weight gain compared with the SB0 group, and the average daily gain increased quadratically with increasing SB supplementation. No significant effect on rumen pH; concentrations of NH3-N, individual and total VFAs; or acetate: propionate (A:P) ratio was found during the whole experimental period. Serum glutathione peroxidase activity increased linearly with the increased SB supplementation, while the serum concentration of maleic dialdehyde linearly decreased. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, or immunoglobulin M were not affected by the SB supplementation during the whole experimental period. Conclusions Under the conditions of this study, SB supplementation improved growth performance and antioxidant function in pre-weaned dairy calves. We recommended 45 g/d as the optimal level of SB supplementation mixed into liquid feeds (milk or milk replacer) to improve the growth and antioxidant function of dairy calves before weaning.

Maternal Supply of Ruminally-Protected Lysine and Methionine During Close-Up Period Enhances Immunity and Growth Rate of Neonatal Calves

“…Maternal supply of RPAA plays an important role and can have an effect on the immune system in newborn calves, as indicated by the higher concentration of serum Brix and IgG in claves conceived from supplemental-AA cows in the current study. These results similar to previous studies reported that pre-calving supply of RPM can influence immune function in the neonatal calf ( 11 – 13 ); three important antibodies of the immune system, IgA, IgG, and IgM, protect humans and animals, including calves, against many kinds of pathogens and viruses, activate the complement system, regulate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and improve immunity ( 46 , 47 ). In addition, methyl-donors also act as anti-inflammatory regulators in ruminants, as increased methyl-donor (e.g., Met, betaine, choline, folate, and B12) supply in cows during the transition ( 48 ), and late gestation periods ( 12 ), leads to decreased haptoglobin, a biomarker used to predict disease.…”

Chemically Protected Sodium Butyrate Improves Growth Performance and Early Development and Function of Small Intestine in Broilers as One Effective Substitute for Antibiotics

“…Oxidative stress (OS), considered to be a state of imbalance between antioxidation and oxidation, can seriously debase the productivity and even lead to animal death [ 47 ]. Investigations have shown that SB can improve the antioxidant capacity and protect against OS damage on animals [ 14 , 48 , 49 ]. The intestine is highly susceptible to OS, which causes the waste of nutrients as well as gut dysfunction and body disorders.…”

Effects of Coated Sodium Butyrate and Polysaccharides From Cordyceps cicadae on Intestinal Tissue Morphology and Ileal Microbiome of Squabs

“…Sodium butyrate (SB) is a common feed additive. Previous studies have shown that dietary sodium butyrate supplementation can improve animal immune responses (5) and growth performance (6,7). However, birds are reluctant to eat SB due to its unappetizing smell and therefore its digestibility decreases (8).…”