1- Moghan College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili
2- Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
2- Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Abstract: (165 Views)
Introduction and Objective: The preweaning period is a critical phase in the life of substitute females because dairy calves are sensitive to disease during this phase. Generally, the health status of dairy claves dramatically affects their growth, reproductive efficiency and milk production in the future. Therefore, proper calve management is of great importance to reduce costs and to increase the profitability of dairy farms. The higher sensitivity to diarrhea is an important challenge during clave management which increase antibiotic usage and retards growth. Using antibiotics in low dosages can reduce morbidity and also increase the growth rate; however, their usage was banned due to drug resistance. Herbal medicines are safe compounds with little side effects that have been considered for the treatment of different diseases. With an optimal level of energy and protein, Nigella sativa is a decent candidate to add to the diet. In addition, this herb contains bioactive compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and improves the immune system as well as digestion and absorption processes in the digestive tract. Previous studies have reported the positive effect of dietary inclusion of Nigella Sativa in domestic animals. Thus, the current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of daily adding Nigella Sativa powder (NSP) to the milk on the growth performance and health status of Holstein dairy calves during the preweaning period.
Materials and methods: A total of 32 male calves with an average body weight of 39.37 ± 1.92 kg were randomly allocated to four treatments, including control (CON, without supplement), NSP2 (2 g/d NSP), NSP4 (4 g/d NSP), NSP6 (6 g/d NSP) for a 65-d period. Calves were kept in individual pens and daily milk feeding and weaning were performed according to the routine program at the dairy farm. Data for daily feed intake (the difference between provided and residual feed) and fecal score (1 = normal; 2 = soft to loose; 3 = loose to watery; 4 = watery, mucous, slightly bloody; and 5 = watery, mucous, and bloody), general appearance score (1 = normal and alert; 2 = ears drooped; 3 = head and ears drooped, dull eyes, slightly lethargic; 4 = head and ears drooped, dull eyes, lethargic; and 5 = severely lethargic) and rectal temperature (inserting the thermometer into the rectum for approximately 1 min) were recorded daily until the end of experiment. Body weight was measured every 10 days and at the end of the experiment. Feed efficiency was calculated using the following formula: average daily gain (g) divided by total dry matter intake (g). Data were imported to excel software and organized. Growth performance data was analyzed using the repeated measurement model (PROC MIXED). Data from the chance of diarrhea (≥3), poor general appearance (≥2), and higher rectal temperature (≥39.4 °C) were analyzed using the logistic regression model (PROC GLIMMIX) and the number of days with diarrhea, poor general appearance and higher rectal temperature were analyzed with Poisson regression model (PROC GENMOD) of SAS software (v. 9.4) in the current study.
Results: Despite a 177 g increase in the starter intake of calves in the NSP2 group compared to the control group, there was no significant difference in starter intake and total dry matter intake among treatments. However, weight gain (46.93 vs. 37.66 kg), average daily weight gain (782.29 vs. 627.71 g) and feed efficiency (0.55 vs. 0.48) were significantly higher in NSP2 compared to the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed among other treatments (CON vs. NSP4 vs. NSP) considering the mentioned parameters. Daily starter and dry matter intake were not significantly different among treatments (P > 0.05). Nigella Sativa did not significantly affect the chance of higher rectal temperature and poor general appearance among treatments. Nevertheless, the chance of diarrhea occurrence escalated as NSP levels increased in the experiment and calves in the NSP4 and NSP6 groups had a greater chance of diarrhea occurrence compared to those in the NSP2 and CON groups. The same trend was also observed concerning the number of days with higher rectal temperature, poor general appearance and diarrhea occurrence among treatments.
Conclusion: According to the obtained results, feeding Nigella Sativa powder has a positive impact on the growth performance of dairy calves. However, this effect seems to be only observed at 2 g/d and higher levels (4 and 6 g/d) of Nigella sativa show a laxative effect in dairy calves.
Results: Despite a 177 g increase in the starter intake of calves in the NSP2 group compared to the control group, there was no significant difference in starter intake and total dry matter intake among treatments. However, weight gain (46.93 vs. 37.66 kg), average daily weight gain (782.29 vs. 627.71 g) and feed efficiency (0.55 vs. 0.48) were significantly higher in NSP2 compared to the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed among other treatments (CON vs. NSP4 vs. NSP) considering the mentioned parameters. Daily starter and dry matter intake were not significantly different among treatments (P > 0.05). Nigella Sativa did not significantly affect the chance of higher rectal temperature and poor general appearance among treatments. Nevertheless, the chance of diarrhea occurrence escalated as NSP levels increased in the experiment and calves in the NSP4 and NSP6 groups had a greater chance of diarrhea occurrence compared to those in the NSP2 and CON groups. The same trend was also observed concerning the number of days with higher rectal temperature, poor general appearance and diarrhea occurrence among treatments.
Conclusion: According to the obtained results, feeding Nigella Sativa powder has a positive impact on the growth performance of dairy calves. However, this effect seems to be only observed at 2 g/d and higher levels (4 and 6 g/d) of Nigella sativa show a laxative effect in dairy calves.
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