Effect of non-encapsulated and encapsulated active dried yeast on blood cell count, blood metabolites, and immune response of finishing beef heifers

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate whether encapsulated active dried yeast (EDY), compared with non-protected active dried yeast (ADY) or antibiotics (ANT), improved immune response and blood metabolites of finishing beef heifers. Blood urea nitrogen was lower (P < 0.05) with supplemented ADY and mixture of ADY and EDY (MDY) compared with control. Supplementation of MDY also resulted in lower (P < 0.05) red blood cell distribution width than control. Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein was less (P < 0.05) for EDY than control, ANT, and ADY as well as cytokine concentration of interleukin-6 was less (P < 0.05) for MDY versus control.