Department of Animal Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang Campus, Jhang, Pakistan.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Trop Anim Health Prod. 2023 Oct 5;55(5):348. doi: 10.1007/s11250-023-03768-0.
The study aimed to analyze the impact of calcium butyrate supplementation in calf starter on growth performance indices associated with early rumen development to decrease the volume of milk or milk replacer feeding and enhance early starter intake in Holstein calves. For this purpose, twelve Holstein calves were randomly assigned into three treatments (n = 4/treatment); a control without coated calcium butyrate, T1, and T2 treatments supplemented with coated calcium butyrate 3 g and 6 g per day/head, respectively. Body weight was measured at days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56 of the trial, and the average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were determined. Blood samples were collected at 14, 28, 42, and 56 days of trial for serological parameters. Gut morphometry was performed at the end of trial at slaughtering by collecting duodenal samples. Furthermore, the meat was also evaluated for its quality parameters including pH and tenderness after slaughtering. The results indicated that the feed intake, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and gut morphometric parameters involving villus height and crypts depth of calves were improved in coated calcium butyrate-supplemented groups. Furthermore, the supplementation of calf starter with coated calcium butyrate significantly enhanced serum concentrations of glucose and total protein. Besides, Beta hydroxy butyrate (BHBA) levels of blood were also found to be elevated in both treatment groups. However, it was revealed that coated calcium butyrate supplementation had no significant effect on meat quality parameters. In conclusion, the supplementation of calf starter with coated calcium butyrate could improve calf performance.
本研究旨在分析在犊牛开食料中添加丁酸钙对与早期瘤胃发育相关的生长性能指标的影响，以减少牛奶或代乳料的喂养量，并提高荷斯坦犊牛的早期开食料采食量。为此，将 12 头荷斯坦犊牛随机分为 3 个处理组（n=4/处理组）；对照组不添加包膜丁酸钙，T1 和 T2 组分别每天每头补充包膜丁酸钙 3 和 6 g。试验第 7、14、21、28、35、42、49 和 56 天测量体重，计算平均日增重和饲料转化率。试验第 14、28、42 和 56 天采集血液样本进行血清学参数检测。试验结束时屠宰采集十二指肠样品进行肠道形态学测量。此外，还评估了屠宰后肉的 pH 值和嫩度等品质参数。结果表明，包膜丁酸钙添加组的采食量、平均日增重、饲料转化率以及犊牛肠道形态学参数（绒毛高度和隐窝深度）均有所提高。此外，包膜丁酸钙对犊牛开食料的补充显著提高了血清中葡萄糖和总蛋白的浓度。此外，两个处理组的血液中β-羟丁酸（BHBA）水平也升高。然而，包膜丁酸钙的补充对肉品质参数没有显著影响。综上所述，包膜丁酸钙添加到犊牛开食料中可以提高犊牛的生产性能。
