Dietary Supplementation of EGF Ameliorates the Negatively Effects of LPS on Early-Weaning Piglets: From Views of Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Microelement Absorption and Possible Mechanisms

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in nutrients absorption. However, whether it can be an effective additive to improve the growth performance and nutrients absorption in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenged early weaning piglets is still unknown. A 14-days trial was conducted to investigate how EGF attenuates the effect of LPS on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, microelement absorption of early-weaned pigs, and study the underlying mechanism. A total of 48 early weaned piglets, aged 25 days, were randomly distributed to four groups (control, EGF, LPS and EGF + LPS groups) consisting of a 2 × 2 factorial design. The main factors were the level of LPS (HLPS = high LPS: 100 μg/kg body weight; ZLPS = low LPS: 0 μg/kg body weight) and EGF (HEGF = high EGF: 2 mg/kg diet; ZEGF = low EGF: 0 mg/kg diet). Each group had four replicates and each replicate consisted of three piglets. The results showed that piglets injected with HLPS level significantly decreased the average daily gain (ADG), and significantly increased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with the piglets injected with ZLPS level, while piglets fed HEGF level significantly increased the average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared with the piglets fed ZEGF level (p < 0.05). Piglets injected with HLPS level significantly decreased the apparent digestibility of crude fat compared with the piglets injected with ZLPS level (p < 0.05). Piglets injected with HLPS level significantly increased the concentration of most microelements in the gastrointestinal tract chyme and feces, and significantly decreased the expression levels of most microelement transport-relative genes in the mucosa of gastrointestinal tissues compared with the piglets injected with ZLPS level (p < 0.05). Piglets fed HEGF level significantly decreased the concentration of microelement in the gastrointestinal tract chyme and feces, and significantly increased the expression levels of the microelement transport-relative genes in the mucosa of gastrointestinal tissues compared with the piglets fed ZEGF level (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary EGF could attenuate the negative effect of LPS exposure on the apparent digestibility of crude fat and microelement absorption of early-weaning piglets. EGF and LPS influenced the absorption of essential trace element through changing the expression levels of microelement transport-relative genes in the mucosa of gastrointestinal tissues. In the early weaning piglets, EGF can be used as an additive to increase the essential trace elements absorption.

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Effect of Yeast Type and Dose on Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of Growing Rabbits Fed Maize or Barley

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-1331 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amr M.A. Elmasry ◽

Luis A. Miranda ◽

Germán Mendoza ◽

Fernando X. Plata

Keyword(s):

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Control Diet ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Yeast Concentration

Background: The effects of the probiotics vary with the doses and strains used for this reason, a study was conducted over 35 days to determine the effect of live yeast supplementation in the diet of growing rabbits on growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility.Methods: A total of 60 New Zealand and California rabbits (5 weeks old, average body weight 0.881±0.015 kg) were housed in 30 cages. They were fed with a control diet based on alfalfa and maize or barley grains and supplemented with Procreatin®7 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I 1077) or Biosaf® SC47 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC Sc47) at three doses, namely 0, 6.4, or 12.8 ×109 CFU per kg basal diet.Result: The higher yeast concentration had a positive effect (P less than 0.01) on final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and carcass weight (CW). However, there were no significant differences in dry matter intake. As a result of this, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased (P less than 0.01). Significant increases (P less than 0.05) in nutrient digestibility (DM, OM, NDF and ADF) were observed with both grains. The use of yeast in maize and barley-based diets of rabbits has positive effects on growth performance and nutrient digestibility.

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PSIV-14 Effect of xylanase and xylo-oligosaccharides on growth performance and intestinal microbiota in piglets fed a corn-soybean meal based diet

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz122.327 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 186-186

Author(s):

Gustavo Cordero ◽

Laura Merriman ◽

Alexandre Barbosa de Brito ◽

Caio Abercio da Silva ◽

M A Callegari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Average Weight ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Operational Taxonomic Units ◽

And Performance ◽

Weaning Piglets ◽

Butyrate Production

Abstract Xylanases are commonly used to improve nutrient digestibility and performance in pig diets. Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) are degraded in the gut primarily by Bifidobacteria, leading to an increase in butyrate production. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a blend of a xylanase and XOS (Signis, AB Vista) on growth performance and intestinal microbiota profile of weaning piglets. A total of 168 mixed sex PIC weaned piglets weighting between 4.5 and 6.7 kg (5.3 kg average weight) were allocated to 28 pens with 6 animals each and 14 pens per diet blocked by initial weight. Diets consisted of a control (based on corn-SBM) without and with 100 g/tonne Signis. The mash diets were fed over 2 phases: pre-starter (6-11 kg) and starter (11-25 kg). Feed samples were collected for xylanase activities analyses, and results were as expected. Liveability, average daily gain and feed intake were recorded, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) calculated. Colon digesta samples were collected after 6 weeks of Signis supplementation for bacterial identification through 16S rRBA rRNA (V3-V4) sequencing. Results are presented as the relative operational taxonomic units (OTU) values for each bacteria sequenced. Overall, inclusion of Signis reduced (P = 0.05) FCR by 9 points (1.79 vs. 1.88; SEM=0.025) at 42 days post-weaning. No differences in the OTU values were observed between treatments, with Firmicutes making up the largest proportion of the colon microbiota, followed by Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Bacteroidetes tended (P < 0.10) to be higher in the Signis group (0.06 vs 0.22; SEM=0.058). Piglets supplemented with Signis had a trend (P < 0.10) to have higher concentration of uncultured Clostridium spp, which are involved in the fermentation of fiber. This suggests that Signis stimulates the development of a fibrolytic microbiome and thus piglet performance.

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Influence of Treated Rapeseed Meal on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Profile in Growing Pigs

Asian Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences ◽

10.24203/ajafs.v9i6.6834 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Lukáš Bujňák ◽

Pavel Naď ◽

Iveta Maskaľová ◽

František Zigo

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Rapeseed Meal ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Blood Profile

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of replacing part of soybean meal (SBM) with 15% treated rapeseed meal (tRSM) on growth performance, blood parametres and nutrient digestibility in young growing pigs. A total of 12 crossbred growing pigs (Slovakian White x Landrace) with an average initial body weight of 15.70 ± 1.83 kg were divided into two dietary treatments according to their body weight and sex (six pigs in each group). The experiment lasted 34 days. The rapeseed meal was treated with the product that neutralizes the negative effects of glucosinolates contained in rapeseed by-products for pigs feeding. In our study, we did not observe negative effects of tRSM on body weight, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio. In blood profile, serum urea, albumin, glucose and total chlosterol were not influenced by dietary tRSM treatment. Concentration of total proteins was decreased at the end of the experimental period in the experimental group (P<0.01). For apparent total tract digestibility acid-insoluble ash was used as marker. Partially replacing of SBM with tRSM had no significant negative effects on the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and crude fat. Finally, the inclusion of 15% of treated RSM in growing pig diets had no negative effects on growth performance, nutrients digestibility and selected blood characteristics.

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PSV-19 Effect of Low Nutrient Density Diet with Probiotic Mixture (B. Subtilis ms1, B. Licheniformis SF5-1, and S. Cerevisiae) Supplementation on Performance of Weaner Pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.318 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 193-195

Author(s):

Vetriselvi Sampath ◽

Hyun Ju Park ◽

Yong min Kim ◽

Je Min Ahn ◽

Inho Kim

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

The Body ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Low Density ◽

Gas Emission ◽

Nutrient Density ◽

Weaner Pigs

Abstract BACKGROUND: A total of one hundred and forty, 28 d-old weaner pigs [Duroc x (Yorkshire x Landrace)] with initial body weight (BW) of 6.56±1.25kg were used in a six-week treatment (7 replicate pens per treatment; barrows, and 2 gilts/pen) to evaluate the effect of low nutrient density diet supplement with probiotic mixture supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial, and gas emission of weaner pigs. RESULTS: Pigs fed low-density diet with probiotic mixture supplementation had linearly increased (P = 0.028, 0.014) the body weight (BW) at weeks 3, and 6. Moreover, average daily gain (ADG) was linearly improved (P=0.018, 0.014, 0.014) at week 3, 6, and overall experiment. However, there were no interactive effects found on the nutrient digestibility of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and energy (E) throughout the experiment. Dietary inclusion of low-density diet with probiotic mixture supplementation has improved the fecal lactobacillus counts linearly, but E. coli was unaffected during the trail. On day 42, Ammonium gas emission was significantly decrease in pigs fed a low-density diet with probiotic mixture supplementation. However, H2S, acetic acid, and CO2 were not significantly affected by the probiotic mixture supplementation diet. CONCLUSION: Low-density diet with probiotic mixture supplementation had positively affected the growth performance, fecal microbial, and fecal gas emission on weaner pigs.

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Growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Wistar albino rats fed processed dehulled jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis)

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v40i2.1125 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 104-111

Author(s):

O. A. Abu ◽

O. H. Amusa ◽

R. O. Atoyebi ◽

R. A. Kehinde ◽

F. C. Nworgu

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Albino Rats ◽

Weight Changes ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Body Weight Changes ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Jack Bean

A total of fifty 3-4 weeks old albino rats of the Wistar strain weighing 50-60g were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized block design to investigate the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of the rats fed diets containing processed dehulled jack bean. Five diets were formulated to contain casein (T1)-control diet, dehulled jack bean soaked in filtrate obtained from raw pap(T2), dehulled jack bean soaked in lye solution (T3), dehulled jack bean boiled for 15minutes (T4) while a protein free diet served as a negative control (T5). The experiment lasted for 28-days.Dehulled jack bean significantly (P>0.05) influenced the growth parameters measured for the Wistar rats. Rats on control diets had the highest value for all the growth indices, feed intake (210.90g), final body weight (103.40g), body weight changes (41.90g), feed conversion ratio (5.10) and protein efficiency ratio (1.41). Rats on T2 (soaked in ‘ogi’ liquor) had feed intake value of (147.40g), followed by rats on T4 (boiled for 15minutes) (117.00g), T5 (negative control) (119.07) and T3 (soaked in lye solution) (79.40g) respectively. Rats on T4 had the highest value for final body weight (67.80g), body weight changes (6.30g), feed conversion ratio (12.27) and protein efficiency ratio (0.25) while rats on T3 had the lowest value for final body weight (67.80g), body weight changes (-32.45g), total feed intake (79.40g) with FCR of (-0.96) for the tested diets. Wistar rats placed on lye treated diet had depressed body weight changes of 59.8% compared to the control. Digestibility studies however showed that rats on control diets had the highest digestibility value of DM and other nutrients, while there was no significant (P<0.05) difference in digestibility value of CF, significant (P>0.05) differences existed in DM, digestibility value of CP, EE and Ash. Rats on T3 and T5 had the lowest digestibility value for Ash (11.48) and CP (37.66). Rats fed dehulled jack bean seed soaked in ogi liquor and boiled for 15minutes showed slight improvement in growth performance and nutrient utilization over those fed lye soaked jack bean. All the processing methods were ineffective when compared to the performance of rat fed casein based diets.

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Effect of methionine supplementation on the growth performance of rabbit

Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.3329/bjas.v42i1.15777 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 40-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S Yesmin ◽

ME Uddin ◽

R Chacrabati ◽

M Al-Mamun

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Control Group ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Methionine Supplementation ◽

Four Levels

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of methionine supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and growth performance of growing rabbit. Sixteen weaned crossbred New Zealand White (NZW) growing rabbits (30-35 d) were distributed into four treatment groups having four replications in each group using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Basal diet composed of green grass (dhal grass) and concentrate mixture which was offered ad libitum basis for 56 days period. Four levels of methionine such as 0.0% (control), 0.15%, 0.25%, and 0.35% were supplemented randomly to rabbits. Results showed that supplementation of methionine did not affect green grass intake. Cumulative as well as daily concentrate and DM intake were significantly (p<0.05) higher for all methionine groups than control group. Final body weight gain as well as daily, weekly and cumulative body weight gains were improved significantly with increasing level of methionine. It was found that methionine had significant (p<0.01) effect on digestibility of DM, CP, NFE and EE but CF digestibility did not differ significantly. Digestibility was improved with increasing the level of methionine. Feed conversion ratio also decreased significantly with methionine supplementation, and 0.25% methionine group showed the best performance among the four treatments. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v42i1.15777 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2013. 42 (1): 40 43

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The effects of zeranol and oestradiol implants on performance and nutrient digestibility of zero-grazed White Fulani cattle

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an19050 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (8) ◽

pp. 1081

Author(s):

O. T. Soyelu ◽

A. O. Aderibigbe

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Feedlot Cattle ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Mean Values ◽

Significant Difference ◽

White Fulani

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two growth-promoting implants (zeranol and oestradiol-17β) on performance and feed digestibility of finishing White Fulani cattle in the feedlot. This was with a view to determining an alternative means of enhancing cattle performance without grazing the animals. Methods A 60-day feedlot trial was conducted using 27 stocker White Fulani bulls that were allotted randomly to three treatment groups (i.e. non-implanted, oestradiol-implanted and zeranol-implanted) in a completely randomised experimental design. Cattle were offered a compounded feedlot ration consisting of 14% crude protein ad libitum. The bulls were weighed initially and fortnightly thereafter for the duration of the study. Coefficients of dry matter and nutrients digestibility were determined using lignin as an internal marker. Data were analysed using the general linear model procedure of ANOVA and mean values were compared using Fisher’s least significant difference (l.s.d.0.05). Key results The average final liveweight, total weight gain, average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of implanted feedlot cattle were higher (P < 0.05) than for non-implanted cattle; and higher in oestradiol-implanted cattle compared with zeranol-implanted ones. The ADG was 29.16 and 20.48% higher, and the ADFI was 35.06 and 18.18% higher for oestradiol-implanted and zeranol-implanted feedlot cattle, respectively than for non-implanted cattle. Irrespective of the treatment, feed conversion ratio of experimental bulls remained below the range (4.5–7.5) established for feedlot beef cattle; an indication of better efficiency of feed utilisation by White Fulani cattle. The apparent digestibility of dry matter (59.76–64.31%) of the feedlot ration was in the order: non-implanted = oestradiol-implanted > zeranol-implanted while the apparent digestibility of crude protein (73.91–77.99%) was in the order: non-implanted > oestradiol-implanted = zeranol-implanted. Conclusions and implications The results of this study show that the use of an oestradiol implant in finishing zero-grazed White Fulani cattle was beneficial for improving growth performance. Both implanted and non-implanted cattle showed good coefficients of nutrient digestibility, indicating that the mode of action of the growth implants in enhancing performance characteristics does not depend on indices of digestibility.

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Effects of Drinking Water Temperature and Flow Rate during Cold Season on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Cecum Microflora of Weaned Piglets

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10061048 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1048

Author(s):

Zhenyu Zhang ◽

Zeqiang Li ◽

Hua Zhao ◽

Xiaoling Chen ◽

Gang Tian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Flow Rate ◽

Substantial Effect ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

The Body ◽

Cold Weather ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Weaned Piglets

Although water is one of the most important nutrients and is essential for various physiological processes within the body, it does not receive adequate consideration when ensuring optimal nutrition and growth performance in piglets. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of drinking water temperature (DWT) and flow rate (DWF) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and cecum microflora in weaned piglets during cold weather. Sixty-four piglets with an average body weight of 8.60 ± 0.5 kg were allotted into four groups with four replicates in each group and four pigs in each replicate. The DWT and DWF were set for each group as follows: (1) 13 °C + 300 mL/min, (2) 13 °C + 700 mL/min, (3) 30 °C + 300 mL/min and (4) 30 °C + 700 mL/min, respectively. All groups were fed the same diet during the 28 d trial. The body weight at day 0 and day 29, as well as daily feed intake, were recorded. Diarrhea severity was assessed every day. Fresh fecal samples were collected for four consecutive days at the end of the experiment for the digestibility test. Cecum content was collected after sacrifice for microbial composition analysis. The results indicated that: (1) DWT at 30 °C promoted the average daily gain (ADG) of weaned piglets considerably (p = 0.043) and decreased feed to weight ratio when compared with DWT at 13 °C (p = 0.045). DWF had no substantial effect on the growth performance of piglets (p > 0.05). (2) The 30 °C DWT groups had higher apparent digestibility of crude protein, crude fat and energy than the 13 °C DWT groups (p < 0.05), while DWF had no significant effect on the apparent digestibility of nutrients (p > 0.05). (3) DWT at 30 °C increased the Bacteroidetes abundance and decreased the Proteobacteria abundance in cecum digesta. The change in these two factors may be related to a decrease in diarrhea and the improvement of growth performance. Different DWF had no substantial effect on the cecum microbial structure. To sum up, providing a DWT of 30 °C to weaned piglets in cold weather reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria in the cecum and improved the apparent nutrient digestibility, which is beneficial for maintaining a healthy intestinal microenvironment and promoting growth performance. A lower DWF of 300 mL/min had no adverse effect on growth performance. Therefore, a combination of 30 °C + 300 mL/min is recommended for weaned piglets during cold weather for the consideration of animal welfare and production efficiency.

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Effect of early weaning age on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and serum parameters of lambs

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an15079 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 110 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J.-M. Chai ◽

T. Ma ◽

H.-C. Wang ◽

M.-L. Qi ◽

Y. Tu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Early Weaning ◽

Serum Parameters ◽

Creep Feed ◽

Nutrient Utilisation ◽

Weaning Age

To determine the effect of a weaning program on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and serum parameters in Hu lambs, 48 newly born twin lambs (2.53 ± 0.13 kg; 24 male and 24 female) were randomly divided into four treatments: ewe reared (ER) or weaned at 10, 20, or 30 days post birth (EW10, EW20, and EW30) and fed milk replacer (MR). All liquid feed were eliminated at 60 days of age. Creep feed was offered ad libitum to all lambs from 15 to 90 days of age. The results indicated that lambs fed MR had higher liveweight, average daily gain, and creep feed intake (P < 0.001) than those in the ER group. There were no differences between treatments in the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen or phosphorus (P > 0.05) from 50 to 60 days of age. The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus of EW20 and EW30 groups were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of EW10 and ER groups from 80 to 90 days of age. Lambs in the EW10 group had higher concentration of albumin, serum urea nitrogen, and immunoglobulin G levels than those of other groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, early weaning could improve creep intake, growth performance, and nutrient utilisation of Hu lambs. Early weaning age had a significant effect on the growth of lambs.

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Effects of species-specific probiotic addition to milk replacer on calf health and performance during the first month of life

Annals of Animal Science ◽

10.2478/aoas-2013-0089 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 101-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Alessandro Agazzi ◽

Erica Tirloni ◽

Simone Stella ◽

Serena Maroccolo ◽

Barbara Ripamonti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Bacillus Coagulans ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Milk Replacer ◽

Blood Eosinophil ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Species Specific

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the administration of a species-specific probiotic (Lactobacillus animalis SB310, Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei SB137 and Bacillus coagulans SB117 in a 30:35:35 ratio, respectively; 1.8 × 1010 CFU/g of powder) on gut microbial balance, immune response and growth performance of Holstein female calves during the first month of life. Twenty-two calves were divided into two experimental groups from 2 to 28 days of life: control (C), fed with milk replacer and concentrate as a basal diet, and treatment (T), fed C diet plus 1 g/calf/day of probiotic powder for the first month of age. Faecal and blood samples were individually collected and analysed weekly. Individual faecal score was recorded daily and general health score was calculated at the end of the trial. Cell-mediated immune response was evaluated by skin test at 7 and 28 days of life. Milk replacer and concentrate intake were recorded daily, while body weight and biometrical parameters were recorded at 2, 8, 14, 21 and 28 days of life, thus average daily gain and feed conversion rate were calculated. During the first week of treatment, lower blood eosinophil percentage (0.05% vs. 0.22%; P≤0.01) was found in T group, while basophils were higher in T than C group at the end of the trial (0.21% vs. 0.16%; P≤0.05). Higher faecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB)/E. coli ratio on day 28 of life (3.73 log CFU/g vs. 2.02 log CFU/g; P≤0.05) and lower incidence of diarrhoea were found in the treated group (63.30% vs. 70.71%; P=0.05). Body weight (48.92 kg vs. 46.92 kg; P≤0.05), total concentrate intake (14.77 kg vs. 12.56 kg on dry matter basis; P≤0.05), and heart girth (81.16 cm vs. 78.49 cm; P≤0.05) were significantly higher in T group. The administration of the probiotic during the first month of life improved gut microbiota and increased the growth performance and some biometric parameters of calves.

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