Effects of a prebiotic supplement on health of neonatal dairy calves
artículo científico
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Date
2009Author
Heinrichs, Arlyn Jud
Jones, C. M.
Elizondo Salazar, Jorge Alberto
Terrill, Sarah J.
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Calf morbidity and mortality represent major financial losses for many dairy producers. The
primary cause of calf mortality in the U.S. is diarrhea caused by intestinal bacterial infections.
Traditionally, formulated antibiotics in milk replacer have been used as preventive treatments.
However, as consumer concern about antibiotic resistance has increased, interest in alternative
supplements has grown. Prebiotics, which are food ingredients not digestible by animal
enzymes, and probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria, are two proposed alternatives for
antibiotics to reduce diarrhea and improve immunity in calves. In this trial 75 Holstein heifer
calves were randomly assigned to one of 3 treatments: control (C; no additive), antibiotic
treatment (A; oxytetracycline 0.220 g/kg and neomycin base 0.441 g/kg), and prebiotic
supplement (PB; 20 g/day Prebio Support™, Meiji Feed Co., Ltd. Tokyo, Japan). Calf scours,
respiratory, and general appearance scores were not affected by treatment. No statistical
differences were detected in any of the health data collected; however, treatment C had nearly
twice as many calves that scoured and refused feed than treatments A and PB. Populations of
beneficial and pathogenic bacteria in feces were generally not affected by treatments. However,
PB treatment calves had an overall trend for more Lactobacilli in their feces than calves fed A
(P=0.08), and Enterobacter population was greater in C calves than in calves on treatment A in
week 4 (P<0.05). There was a tendency for the PB treatment to have elevated populations of
beneficial species of bacteria during week 2. Populations of lymphocytes carrying CD4 and CD8
markers were not affected by treatment. Fecal IgA concentration decreased as calf age
increased, with the greatest concentration in week 2 (P<0.01) for all calves. Fecal IgA levels
were numerically greater for the PB group in weeks 2 and 4. Both PB and A treatments affected
fecal parameters with PB having positive effects in several areas. Since calves in this study were
generally healthy, observable benefits from the treatments were likely minimized.
External link to the item
10.1016/j.livsci.2009.04.003Collections
- Zootecnia [269]