Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of compound probiotics (consisting of 108 cfu/g of Lactobacillus plantarum, 108 cfu/g of Pediococcus acidilactici, 108 cfu/g of Pediococcuspentosaceus, 107 cfu/g of and Bacillus subtilis) on growth performance, rumen fermentation, bacteria community, blood parameters, and health status of Holstein calves at the first 3 mo of age. Forty-eight newborn calves were randomly divided into the following 3 groups: control group (milk replacer with no compound probiotics), low compound probiotics group (milk replacer + 0.12 g of compound probiotics per head per day), and high compound probiotics group (HP; milk replacer + 1.2 g of compound probiotics per head per day). Starter pellets of the low compound probiotics and HP groups were coated with 0.05% compound probiotics. Milk replacer was provided from 2 to 63 d of age (6 L at 2-10 d, 8 L at 11-42 d, 6 L at 43-49 d, 4 L at 50-56 d, and 2 L at 57-63 d), and starter pellets were provided ad libitum from 7 to 90 d of age. Body weight and body size (d 1, 30, 60, and 90), blood (d 40 and 80), and rumen fluid (d 90) were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA procedure; fecal score was recorded daily and analyzed as repeated measures using the mixed model procedure. Results showed that diet supplemented with compound probiotics had no effects on the body weight, average daily gain, dry matter intake, and feed efficiency. At 90 d of age, diet supplemented with compound probiotics decreased the withers height. Immunity activities increased in the HP group, supported by the increased concentrations of serum total protein and immunoglobulins at 40 d of age, and by the increased activity of superoxide dismutase at 80 d of age. Diet supplemented with compound probiotics altered rumen fermentation, indicated by the decreased rumen acetic acid and propionic acid, and the increased butyric acid concentrations. Diet supplemented with compound probiotics improved the health status of calves, indicated by the decreased fecal score at 3 wk of age and the decreased medicine treatments. In summary, although diet supplemented with HP decreased the withers height, this level of probiotics is recommended to improve rumen development and health status of newborn Holstein calves.
Highlights
Newborn calves are sensitive to environmental changes and colonization by opportunistic and potentially pathogenic bacteria, which may lead to their high morbidity and mortality (Alawneh et al, 2020; Osorio, 2020)
1Diet supplemented with compound probiotics in different levels: control group (CON) = control, both milk replacer and starter pellets supplemented with no compound probiotics; low compound probiotics group (LP) = low compound probiotics, milk replacer supplemented with 0.12 g of compound probiotics per head per day, and starter pellets supplemented with 0.05% compound probiotics; high compound probiotics group (HP) = high compound probiotics, milk replacer supplemented with 1.2 g of compound probiotics, and starter pellets supplemented with 0.05% compound probiotics. 2DDGS = distillers dried grains with solubles
1Diet supplemented with compound probiotics in different levels: CON = control, both milk replacer and starter pellets supplemented with no compound probiotics; LP = low compound probiotics, milk replacer supplemented with 0.12 g of compound probiotics per head per day, and starter pellets supplemented with 0.05% compound probiotics; HP = high compound probiotics, milk replacer supplemented with 1.2 g of compound probiotics, and starter pellets supplemented with 0.05% compound probiotics. 2DMI = total DM of feed, including milk replacer and starter pellets. 3FE = feed efficiency, the ratio of DMI to ADG
Summary
Newborn calves are sensitive to environmental changes and colonization by opportunistic and potentially pathogenic bacteria, which may lead to their high morbidity and mortality (Alawneh et al, 2020; Osorio, 2020). Diarrhea and respiratory disease are the 2 primary causes of early calf morbidity and mortality (Malmuthuge et al, 2015). Acute diarrhea is the primary issue for the first 3 wk of life; this is replaced by respiratory disease by around 4 wk of age. Just as in the case of human beings, the discovery that an animal harbors a complex microbiota inside the digestive tract invariably led to the belief that this ecosystem can be modified to promote or even restore health (O’Hara et al, 2020). Understanding the principles that regulate short and long-term microbial colonization inside the digestive tract is essential to the success of microbiome-based therapies using beneficial microorganisms (Walter et al, 2018), especially in livestock operations. Antimicrobials and probiotics were usually used to modulate the microorganisms in the
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
