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Impact of graded levels of coated calcium butyrate on growth performance and serological indices during pre-weaning stage in Holstein calves

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang Campus, Jhang, Pakistan

    Abdur Rahman, Muhammad Furhan Arshad, Akhtar Rasool Asif & Muawuz Ijaz

  2. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Shah Nawaz

  3. Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

    Zafar Hayat

  4. Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang Campus, Jhang, Pakistan

    Syed Ehtisham ul Haque

  5. Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

    Saima Saima

  6. Department of Livestock Production and Management, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Muhammad Zeeshan Anwar

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  1. Abdur Rahman
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Contributions

All the authors participated in this study. The idea was conceived, and research was supervised by Abdur Rahman, Zafar Hayat, Syed Ehtisham ul Haque, and Saima. Material preparation, trial execution, and data collection were performed by Muhammad Furhan Arshad, Abdur Rahman, and Zeeshan Anwar. Data was analyzed by Shah Nawaz, Akhtar Rasool Asif, and Abdur Rahman. The first draft was written by Muhammad Furhan Arshad, Shah Nawaz, and Muawuz Ijaz. All authors read the final draft of the manuscript and approved it.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Abdur Rahman or Shah Nawaz.

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The animal study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang (protocol code 12057 on 03–02-2021). Consent to participate is not applicable.

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Rahman, A., Arshad, M.F., Nawaz, S. et al. Impact of graded levels of coated calcium butyrate on growth performance and serological indices during pre-weaning stage in Holstein calves. Trop Anim Health Prod 55, 348 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03768-0

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