ACTA VETERINARIA ET ZOOTECHNICA SINICA ›› 2013, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (10): 1600-1608.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2013.10.013

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Effect of Sodium Butyrate on Growth, Serum Biochemical Parameters and Gastrointestinal Development of Weaning Calves

ZHAO Hui-li1, GAO Yan-xia1,2,3, LI Jian-guo1,2,3, LI Qiu-feng1,2,3, CAO Yu-feng1,2,3*   

  1. (1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding 071001, China; 2. Embryo Engineering and Technological Center of Cattle and Sheep of Hebei,Baoding 071001, China; 3. Cattle Science Institute, Agricultural University of Hebei,Baoding 071001, China)
  • Received:2013-01-15 Online:2013-10-23 Published:2013-10-23

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Abstract:

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of sodium butyrate on weaning stress of calves. A total of 24 healthy 31-day-old China Holstein calves were randomly allocated into 2 groups (control group and experimental group) with 12 calves per group. Calves in control group were reared by the feeding method of the farm, and the others in experimental group were fed diet supplemented with 1% sodium butyrate（dry matter basis）. All the calves were weaned at 60 d. The experiment lasted 45 days. The results showed as follows: 1) Compared with the control group, the live weight of calves in experiment group was increased by 3.86% (P<0.05) and 4.58% (P<0.01) at the age of 60 and 75 d; On the age of 31-60 and 61-75 d, the average daily gain (ADG) of calves in experiment group was increased by 6.33% (P>0.05) and 10.61% (P<0.01). 2) Compared with the control group, the contents of triglycerides, urea nitrogen, CRP, HP, IL-6, TNF-β in serum of calves in experimental group were significantly lower (P<0.01) and glucose was significantly lower (P<0.05) at weaning day; the contents of IgM of calves were significantly higher in experiment group than that in control group (P<0.05); the serum level of triglycerides, urea nitrogen, CRP, HP and cortisol of calves were significantly lower in experiment group than that in control group at 15 d after weaned (P<0.01) and glucose was significantly lower(P<0.05). 3) The rumen villous length and width was significantly higher in experiment group both at weaning day and 15 d after weaned (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the villous length, crypt depth and V/C value of duodenum and jejunum were improved at different degrees. In conclusion, sodium butyrate supplementation can improve the growth performance, reduce the serum acute phase proteins and cortisol levels, and improve the immune function of weaning calves. Furthermore, it promote the development of the rumen and intestinal. In short, sodium butyrate alleviate weaning stress of calves.

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