Research On Animal Production

    The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and butyrate monoglycerides on the performance, blood parameters and nutrients digestibility in suckling Holstein calves. For this experiment, 32 newly-born Holstein calves (average age 1-8 days; average weight 38±1 kg) were used in a completely randomized design with 2×2 factorial arrangement, 4 treatments and 8 replications. The experimental treatments were: 1) Basal diet without any additive (control), 2) Basal diet with 5 g per day of butyrate monoglycerides, 3) Basal diet with 2 g per day of saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, 4) Basal diet + 2 g of saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast + 5 g per day of butyrate monoglycerides. Feed intake was measured daily. Body weight changes were recorded at birth, d 30 and 60 after birth and d 75 on the weaning time and feed conversion ratio was calculated for each group. Nutrient digestibility was measured by using acid insoluble ash as the internal marker. For determination of blood parameters, blood samples were taken from jugular vein on d 30 and 60. The results showed that the addition of saccharomyces cerevisiae and butyrate glycerides did not affect feed intake in the first and second months, and in the whole experimental period. Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and butyrate glycerides interaction had no significant effect on the final weight of calves. Daily weight gain of calves in the first and second months were not affected by the addition of yeast and butyrate supplements or their interaction. Total daily weight gain affected significantly by effects of feeding saccharomyces cerevisiae (P=0.05) and butyrate glycerides (P=0.01). The results showed that the addition of saccharomyces cerevisiae and glycerides of butyrate did not influence blood concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, albumin, total protein, blood urea and globulin whereas blood beta-hydroxy butyrate concentration increased by feeding butyrate supplement (P=0.02). Feeding butyrate supplement increased significantly protein digestibility (P=0.05). Based on the positive effects of butyrate monoglycerides on average daily gain, blood beta-hydroxy butyrate concentration and crude protein digestibility and the effects of saccharomyces cerevisiae on daily weight gain, use of these two feed additives can be recommended for Holstein suckling calves.