The effect of sodium butyrate on calf growth and serum level of β-hydroxybutyric acid

Abstract

The experiment was carried out on 40 Polish Black-and-White HF bull calves (52-87% of HF blood) aged from 9 and 12 days at the beginning of the experiment to 90 days at its end. From the beginning of the trial the calves were offered restricted liquid feed to 56 days of age and concentrates ad libitum according to Iz-PIB-INRA recommendations. The concentrates were without sodium butyrate (control group, C), or with 1% Na-butyrate (group B1), 3% Na-butyrate (group B3) and 0.3% Na-butyrate (group B0.3), and included meadow hay from 0.10 kg/day during the liquid feeding period to 0.20 kg/day after weaning at 57 days of age. Na-butyrate at 3% in the diet reduced feed intake and had a beneficial effect on calf growth and nutrient utilization. The dietary level of Na-butyrate did not cause significant changes in serum β-hydroxybutyric acid concentration of the calves.

Effects of Na-butyrate supplementation in milk formula on plasma concentrations of GH and insulin, and on rumen papilla development in calves

“…The dietary level of butyrate did not cause changes in the serum ß-hydroxybutyrate concentration in calves (Slusarczyk et al 2010) and butyrate disappears from the upper GIT (mainly in the stomach). It is thought to be metabolized in the GIT wall (and/or in the liver) because it is not found in the peripheral blood (Manzanilla et al 2006, 2010a.…”

“…The reported experiments were conducted in very young calves (%1 . 5 months) which ingested MF and starter diet from 3 days after birth, whereas the measurements for other studies were obtained in milk-fed (Guilloteau et al , 2010b or in weaned (Slusarczyk et al 2010) calves aged at least 2 months. In fact, it was demonstrated, in different species, that butyrate must be ingested immediately after birth, but the growth performances were observed later in life , 2010b, Le Gall et al 2009.…”

“…These substances were found to have widespread positive effects on digestive secretions (pancreas and small intestine), digestibility and feed efficiency, growth rate, adiposity through the modulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and function in the GIT, especially mucosal epithelial cells, and on defence systems (barrier function, antimicrobial potency, and immune system) in healthy and sick animals (Pouillart 1998, Partanen & Mroz 1999, Gauthier 2002, Scheppach & Weiler 2004, Franco et al 2005, Mroz 2005, Manzanilla et al 2006, Mazzoni et al 2008, Le Gall et al 2009, 2010b. Moreover, sodium-butyrate (Na-butyrate) supplementation in milk formula (MF) and/or starter diet intake by neonatal calves had a beneficial effect on calf growth and nutrient utilization, modified the relative weight of the different parts of the forestomach, and produced larger rumen papillae length and width, suggesting an enhancement of the rumen (Gorka et al 2009, 2011, Slusarczyk et al 2010. The stimulated papillae growth in newborn calves was confirmed in other experiments (Tamate et al 1962, Mentschel et al 2001.…”

Supplementation with sodium butyrate improves growth and antioxidant function in dairy calves before weaning

“…We manually stirred the mixture to dissolve the SB before feeding. The doses of SB supplementation were adjusted from the work of Slusarczyk et al who fed calves SB at 2.2 to 22 grams per day [22].…”

“…However, Wanat et al [21] reported con icting results that even at 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.9 % of DM, microencapsulated SB added to starter mixture reduced the growth performance in calves, including linear decreases in ADG and BW in a dose-dependent manner. Slusarczyk et al [22] showed that SB was well tolerated and it improved growth performance when supplemented at 1-3% of DM mixed either in MR before weaning (56 days of age) or in concentrates fed ad libitum post-weaning (until the end of the experiment at 90 days of age). However, it was found that SB supplementation at 3% of DM reduced feed intake despite a positive effect on calf growth and nutrient utilization.…”