No abstract

A 4 mo study investigated the effect of direct fed microbials (DFM): Rumen Enhancer three RE3™, RE3™Plus and Paenibacillus polymyxa (PP) on blood biochemistry, immunological responses and gastrointestinal microbial isolates of neonatal lambs at four phases of growth. Twenty-four lambs of average weight 2.5±1.2Kg were put on four dietary treatments, namely: Control, RE3™, RE3™Plus and PP in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were administered orally during the suckling phase; and were added to their diets after they were weaned. Blood and fecal sampling were done every four weeks till the sixteenth week. The concentrations of total protein, albumen, globulins, IgA, IgM, CD3 and CD4 were assayed in the serum and E. coli counts from the fecal matter. Data recorded was analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Monthly sampling of blood samples for examination showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in total protein when the lambs when RE3 and PP were offered to the lambs, and a non-significant effect on albumin and globulin. Significant differences were registered among the treatments for all immunological parameters measured, except CD3. The study revealed a significant treatment × sampling period interaction (P < 0.0001) for all the parameters measured. The addition of different DFM products generally influenced the blood biochemistry, microbial isolates and immunology of growing lambs.