Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on growth performance, plasma metabolites and hormones, and rumen fermentation in Holstein calves during pre- and post-weaning periods.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementing Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) during the pre- and post-weaning periods on growth, metabolic and hormonal responses, and rumen fermentation in calves. Three-week-old Holstein calves were assigned to either control (n=12) or SC group (n=12), the latter of which received 2×109 cfu/day of SC. The experiment was conducted over a period of 7weeks around weaning. Daily gain (DG) in the SC group was higher (p<.05) than that in the control group. In the SC group, plasma glucose, insulin, and growth hormone (GH) concentrations were higher (p<.05) and concentrations of glucagon and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) tended to be higher (p<.1) than in the control group. Proportion of rumen propionate and concentration of rumen ammonia nitrogen at 10weeks of age were greater (p<.05) in the SC group than that in the control group. Supplementation of SC around weaning may improve dietary nutrient and energy availability and increase plasma GH and IGF-1 concentrations. These changes observed in SC-supplemented calves could be closely related to the improvement of DG.