Growth performance and health of nursing lambs supplemented with inulin and Lactobacillus casei

Abstract

Objective This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of Agave tequilana inulin and Lactobacillus casei ( L. casei ) on growth performace, hematological variables, serum metabolites, and total coliforms in nursing lambs. Methods The experimental design was completely randomized; treatments were T1, control (pre-starter concentrate, PC), T2: T1+2% inulin, and T3: T1+2% inulin+ L. casei ; treatments were compared with Tukey test (p≤0.05); and 45 new born Kathadin×Dorset lambs (4.8±0.8 kg birth weight) were the experimental units (15 per treatment). The variables were daily weight gain (DWG), dry matter intake and diarrheas incidence (%) during 56 d. Twenty-four hours after birth and at the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to evaluate hematological variables and serum metabolites. Besides, the populations of total coliforms and lactobacilli were estimated in fecal samples. Results Addition of agave inulin and L. casei increased (p≤0.05) DWG 356, 384, and 415 g/d, weaning weight 24.92, 26.18, and 28.07 kg, as well as lactobacilli population 5.79, 6.32, and 6.48 Log 10 cfu/g, for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Lambs fed L. casei had decreased (p≤0.05) populations of total coliforms (T1 = 6.18, T2 = 5.77, and T3 = 5.07 Log 10 cfu/g), diarrheas incidence (T1 = 11.67%, T2 = 8.33%, and T3 = 5.0%), and serum cholesterol concentration (11% in T2 and 13% in T3, compared to control). Conclusion The combination of Agave tequilana inulin and L. casei increases weight gain and improves intestinal health by reducing coliforms and diarrheas incidence in Katahdin× Dorset lambs during the pre-weaning period.

Effect of microbial feed additives on growth performance, microbial protein synthesis, and rumen microbial population in growing lambs

“…This may be due to the increased digestibility of the NDF and the DM in their experiment, and also, may be correlated with rumen development ( Lesmeister et al, 2004 ). However, without the effect of experimental treatments on feed intake, ADG was improved on d 0 to d 21 and d 0 to d 63, which consistent with the previous results ( Ayala-Monter et al, 2019 ). They reported that improvement in ADG without altering feed intake was due to improved FE and nutrient digestibility.…”

Effects of Rumen-Protected Choline on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Blood Lipid Metabolites of Feedlot Lambs

“…The higher blood concentration of cholesterol during the second period may be explained by a differential tissue requirement during growth [ 36 , 37 ], although this varies among the different breeds [ 38 ]. This is important when considering dietary supplementation with choline and other nutrients that affect lipid metabolism at different developmental stages [ 39 ].…”

Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Blood Metabolites of Lambs Supplemented with a Polyherbal Mixture

“…On day 55 of the experimental phase, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of the lambs, before the morning feeding (08:00 h) with the purpose of determining hematological and biochemical parameters. For determining the hematological parameters, the methodology described by Ayala et al was followed [ 28 ]. For this, 5 mL of blood was extracted from each lamb in tubes BD Vacutainer ® K2 EDTA with anticoagulant.…”