Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (8): 3872-3892.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2025.08.027

• Animal Nutrition and Feeds • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Essential Oils on Serum Immune and Biochemical Indicators in Suckling Calves

WANG Linwei1(), WANG Jing1, HAN Saibo1, LI Hanchuan1, WANG Panpan1, GUO Gang2,*(), JIANG Linshu1,*()   

  1. 1. Beijing Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Nutrition, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
    2. Beijing Sunlon Livestock Development Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
  • Received:2024-08-20 Online:2025-08-23 Published:2025-08-28
  • Contact: GUO Gang, JIANG Linshu E-mail:wlw0710l@126.com;guogang2180@126.com;jls@bua.edu.com

Abstract:

This study aims to systematically evaluate the effects of adding essential oils (EOs) to the diet on serum immune and biochemical indicators in suckling calves. A Meta-analysis was conducted by screening 537 published studies up until April 2024, with 17 studies involving and a total of 711 samples being included. A random effects model (REM) was used to calculate combined statistical measures, and subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias analysis were also performed. The Meta-analysis results showed that adding EOs to the diet significantly increased the concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IgA) (SMD=0.66, 95% CI: 0.23-1.08, P < 0.002), immunoglobulin G (IgG) (SMD=0.70, 95% CI: 0.37-1.02, P < 0.001), and triglycerides (TG) (SMD=0.51, 95% CI: 0.10-0.92, P=0.01) in the serum of suckling calves. EOs also significantly increased the concentrations of immunoglobulin M (IgM) (SMD=0.49, 95% CI: 0.03-0.96, P=0.04) and total protein (TP) (SMD=0.45, 95% CI: 0.03-0.87, P=0.04), and significantly reduced the concentration of total cholesterol (TC) (SMD=-0.59, 95% CI: -1.07 to -0.11, P=0.02). Subgroup analysis, comparing effectiveness and stability, indicated that short-term feeding (≤56 days) of EOs is more effective than long-term feeding (>56 days), and adding EOs via solid feed (SF) is more effective than via liquid feed (LF). Sensitivity analysis and publication bias analysis confirmed the stability and reliability of the results. In conclusion, this study establishes a theoretical foundation for the application of EOs in calf production through Meta-analysis, demonstrating that adding EOs to the diet can effectively improve serum immune and biochemical indicators in suckling calves.

Key words: calves, essential oils, Meta-analysis, serum immune indicators, serum biochemical indicators

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