Effect of Probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1079) on Blood Parameters, Growth and Health of Neonatal Holstein Calves

Document Type : Scientific - Research Articles

Authors

1 Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

2 Ferdwosi University of Mashhad

Abstract

Probiotics are used to control or maintain a constant state of intestinal bacteria. When the bacterial populations are altered by
stress or antibiotic therapy, animal health and performance may decline. This experiment was designed to study the effects of
feeding a Probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1079) on growth and health of neonatal Holstein calves. Forty –five
neonatal Holstein calves were selected from one dairy farm of Mashhad suburb. After birth, calves were randomly assigned
to three groups. Calves in group I (control group) received no probiotic. Calves in group II (experiment I group) were given
probiotic at 1gr/day with colostrum and then with milk during the first 2 weeks of life. Calves in group III (experiment II
group) were given probiotic at 1gr/day with colostrum and then with milk during the first 3 weeks of life. At the third week,
milk was replaced with milk replacer. The body weight and skeletal growth (Heart girth, body length and weithers height)
were measured at birth and repeated every week until 5 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected via jugular vein puncture
at the time ok weighing and analyzed for hematological indices, plasma total protein concentration and fibrinogen
concentration. Fecal scores (fluidity) were monitored and evaluated. All calves were monitored for health status and probable
health problems daily. Data were analyzed by using ANOVA, Kruskal-Walis and Chi-square procedure with SPSS 13. There
was not significant differences between groups for hematological indices, plasma total protein concentration and plasma
fibrinogen concentration, skeletal growth averege daily gain, the incidence of neonatal diarrhea and the days of the treatment;
however, fecal scores at third weeks of age between groups I (1/8±0/26) and III (1/07 ±0/07) was significantly different.
(P

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