In the Himalayan region, climatic diversity arises from topographic, altitude, and seasonal variations. Green fodder scarcity during lean periods leads to economic losses for farmers and lower livestock productivity. To address this issue, the provision of quality feed is essential to unlock the full genetic potential of livestock. Fodder trees such as Leucaena have been identified as promising solution to alleviate feed shortages, especially during dry periods when other green fodder resources are depleted. Leucaena offers high-protein foliage, drought tolerance, and soil improvement, but contains mimosine, a harmful compound. To determine season driven changes in nutritional quality of Leucaena foliage was sampled at monthly intervals, grouped in four seasons, at different growth stages. Protein and total carbohydrate content in Leucaena foliage revealed significant variation across all seasons and was inversely related to leaf growth stage. Acid detergent lignin, Neutral detergent fiber and Acid detergent fiber content were lowest in tender leaves and highest in mature leaves, respectively. Total phenols showed no significant difference with tissue growth stage while simple phenol in summer season was lowest at tender growth stage. This study spanning two years aimed to identify the best harvesting period for nutritious Leucaena foliage led to conclusion that summer season and pre-mature leaf growth stages are the best combination for collection of Leucaena leaves with best balance among nutrients and antinutrients, for livestock feeding under mid-Himalayan conditions. However, the exploration for best treatment to reduce the mimosine content in Leucaena leaves revealed CaCl2 (2 %) treatment as an efficient treatment on summer season collected tender and pre-mature leaves. Understanding these changes helps meet livestock nutritional needs in different seasons, contributing to sustainable livestock feeding practices in the Himalayas.
{"title":"Dynamics of seasonal variations and growth stages on forage quality and mimosine content management in Himalayan Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala)","authors":"Rajan Katoch , Kiran , Bunty Kumar , Sunil Kumar Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116578","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116578","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the Himalayan region, climatic diversity arises from topographic, altitude, and seasonal variations. Green fodder scarcity during lean periods leads to economic losses for farmers and lower livestock productivity. To address this issue, the provision of quality feed is essential to unlock the full genetic potential of livestock. Fodder trees such as <em>Leucaena</em> have been identified as promising solution to alleviate feed shortages, especially during dry periods when other green fodder resources are depleted. <em>Leucaena</em> offers high-protein foliage, drought tolerance, and soil improvement, but contains mimosine, a harmful compound. To determine season driven changes in nutritional quality of <em>Leucaena</em> foliage was sampled at monthly intervals, grouped in four seasons, at different growth stages. Protein and total carbohydrate content in <em>Leucaena</em> foliage revealed significant variation across all seasons and was inversely related to leaf growth stage. Acid detergent lignin, Neutral detergent fiber and Acid detergent fiber content were lowest in tender leaves and highest in mature leaves, respectively. Total phenols showed no significant difference with tissue growth stage while simple phenol in summer season was lowest at tender growth stage. This study spanning two years aimed to identify the best harvesting period for nutritious <em>Leucaena</em> foliage led to conclusion that summer season and pre-mature leaf growth stages are the best combination for collection of <em>Leucaena</em> leaves with best balance among nutrients and antinutrients, for livestock feeding under mid-Himalayan conditions. However, the exploration for best treatment to reduce the mimosine content in <em>Leucaena</em> leaves revealed CaCl<sub>2</sub> (2 %) treatment as an efficient treatment on summer season collected tender and pre-mature leaves. Understanding these changes helps meet livestock nutritional needs in different seasons, contributing to sustainable livestock feeding practices in the Himalayas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116578"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116591
Kamal Mersadi , Farshid Fattahnia , Mehdi Kazemi-Bonchenari , Hossein Jahani-Azizabadi , Mohammad Shamsollahi , Jabar Jamali , Mansour Yazdanyar
The current study evaluates the effects of particle size (physical factor) and starch availability rate (chemical factor) on the response of young dairy calves fed high-starch, forage-free starter diets. A 2 × 2 factorial design with two grain sources (corn grain [CG] and barley grain [BG]) and two delivery forms (whole grain and steam-flaked grain) was used to assess growth performance, rumen fermentation, and microbial protein synthesis (MPS). The MPS was estimated based on the urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD). Forty-eight female Holstein calves (3 days old, with an average initial body weight of 40.5 ± 1.93 kg SD) were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: whole corn grain (WCG), steam-flaked corn grain (SFC), whole barley grain (WBG), or steam-flaked barley grain (SFB) (n = 12 per treatment). The milk feeding schedule was identical among treatments until weaning (day 53), after which calves received their respective experimental diets until day 73. Grain type did not affect starter intake, average daily gain (ADG), or feed efficiency in dairy calves. Calves fed the BG diet had greater ruminal butyrate concentrations (P = 0.009) and lower ruminal acetate concentrations (P = 0.029) compared to those fed the CG diet. Regarding processing method, flaking the grain, compared to feeding whole grain, improved starter intake during the pre-weaning period (P = 0.041). Calves fed the SFB diet had greater ADG compared to other treatments (P = 0.039) during the pre-weaning period and, accordingly, had the greatest feed efficiency (P = 0.048) and withers height (P = 0.049) during the same period. The concentration of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) was greater when calves were fed flaked grains compared to whole grains (P < 0.05). The greatest urinary excretions of allantoin and PD were observed in calves fed the SFB diet compared to the other diets (P < 0.05). Feeding SFB resulted in the greatest urinary urea nitrogen concentration, indicating the lowest nitrogen efficiency (P = 0.037). Feeding whole grains reduced blood glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations but increased blood urea nitrogen concentration compared to steam-flaked grains (P < 0.05). Steam-flaked barley yielded greater ADG than whole barley. In conclusion, under the conditions of the current study, although the particle size distribution was relatively similar between steam-flaked grains and whole grains, the greater fermentation rate in steam-flaked grains can improve animal growth performance, which is mostly related to optimized rumen fermentation and MPS. Our findings indicated that the rate of starch availability can be more crucial than grain particle size in young calves. The effect of different processing methods on ruminal microbial species activity needs further evaluation in future studies.
{"title":"Effects of feeding corn or barley grain either in the form of whole or steam-flaked grains on growth performance, rumen fermentation, and microbial protein synthesis in Holstein calves fed forage-free starter diets","authors":"Kamal Mersadi , Farshid Fattahnia , Mehdi Kazemi-Bonchenari , Hossein Jahani-Azizabadi , Mohammad Shamsollahi , Jabar Jamali , Mansour Yazdanyar","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116591","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116591","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The current study evaluates the effects of particle size (physical factor) and starch availability rate (chemical factor) on the response of young dairy calves fed high-starch, forage-free starter diets. A 2 × 2 factorial design with two grain sources (corn grain [CG] and barley grain [BG]) and two delivery forms (whole grain and steam-flaked grain) was used to assess growth performance, rumen fermentation, and microbial protein synthesis (MPS). The MPS was estimated based on the urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD). Forty-eight female Holstein calves (3 days old, with an average initial body weight of 40.5 ± 1.93 kg SD) were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: whole corn grain (WCG), steam-flaked corn grain (SFC), whole barley grain (WBG), or steam-flaked barley grain (SFB) (n = 12 per treatment). The milk feeding schedule was identical among treatments until weaning (day 53), after which calves received their respective experimental diets until day 73. Grain type did not affect starter intake, average daily gain (ADG), or feed efficiency in dairy calves. Calves fed the BG diet had greater ruminal butyrate concentrations (P = 0.009) and lower ruminal acetate concentrations (P = 0.029) compared to those fed the CG diet. Regarding processing method, flaking the grain, compared to feeding whole grain, improved starter intake during the pre-weaning period (P = 0.041). Calves fed the SFB diet had greater ADG compared to other treatments (P = 0.039) during the pre-weaning period and, accordingly, had the greatest feed efficiency (P = 0.048) and withers height (P = 0.049) during the same period. The concentration of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) was greater when calves were fed flaked grains compared to whole grains (P < 0.05). The greatest urinary excretions of allantoin and PD were observed in calves fed the SFB diet compared to the other diets (P < 0.05). Feeding SFB resulted in the greatest urinary urea nitrogen concentration, indicating the lowest nitrogen efficiency (P = 0.037). Feeding whole grains reduced blood glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations but increased blood urea nitrogen concentration compared to steam-flaked grains (P < 0.05). Steam-flaked barley yielded greater ADG than whole barley. In conclusion, under the conditions of the current study, although the particle size distribution was relatively similar between steam-flaked grains and whole grains, the greater fermentation rate in steam-flaked grains can improve animal growth performance, which is mostly related to optimized rumen fermentation and MPS. Our findings indicated that the rate of starch availability can be more crucial than grain particle size in young calves. The effect of different processing methods on ruminal microbial species activity needs further evaluation in future studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116591"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116588
Shu-xian Zhang , Tao Xu , Qiong-xian Yan , Liang Deng , Allan Degen , Li-lin Liu , Lei Fang , Xiao-ling Zhou
The donkey has been receiving increasing attention due to its milk production, and the manipulation of milk fat content has become one of the key current topics. We tested the hypothesis that the dietary proportions of lipids, non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and neutral detergent fibers (NDF) affect milk composition in jennies. Twenty-four lactating jennies of similar age, weight (180 ± 4.1 kg) and foaling date were assigned randomly into three dietary groups: high lipids and NDF with low NFC (HLF); medium lipids and NDF with intermediate NFC (MLF); and low lipids and NDF with high NFC (LLF). The three diets were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous, and the study consisted of 14 days of adaptation and 56 days of measurements. Milk, blood and fecal samples were collected to determine the effects of dietary intake on milk composition, blood metabolites, and fecal short-chain fatty acids and microbiota. The percentage (P = 0.007) and yield (P = 0.013) of milk fat in the HLF group were greater than in the MLF and LLF groups, while the percentages of milk protein (P < 0.001) and lactose (P < 0.001) were greater in the MLF group than in the HCS and LLF groups. The concentrations of milk medium-chain fatty acids (FA) (P = 0.047), polyunsaturated FA (P = 0.021) and unsaturated FA (UFA) (P = 0.036) were greater in the HLF than LLF group, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of ∑≤ C14 FA was greater (P = 0.003) in the HLF and MLF groups than the LLF group, while the FCR of ∑≥ C18 FA in the LLF group was greater (P = 0.046) than in the HLF group. Most differential blood metabolites between HLF and MLF or between HLF and MLF groups were related to lipid metabolism. Fermentation parameters in the rectal feces did not differ among groups. The abundances of the phylum Spirochaetes (P < 0.001) and the genus Treponema (P < 0.001) in the feces of the MLF and LLF groups were lesser, but the abundances of Prevotella (P < 0.001) and Ruminococcus (P = 0.009) in the MLF and LLF groups were greater than in the HLF group. A high proportion of dietary lipids and NDF increased milk fat content, UFA concentrations, feed conversion ratio of ∑≤ C14 FA, and abundance of fecal cellulolytic bacteria; whereas, a high proportion of dietary NFC increased blood FA metabolites and the abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria. Dietary composition can influence milk composition in jennies, and high proportions of lipids and NDF can increase milk fat content.
{"title":"Effects of the dietary proportions of lipids and carbohydrates on milk fat, blood metabolites, and the fecal microbial community in lactating jennies","authors":"Shu-xian Zhang , Tao Xu , Qiong-xian Yan , Liang Deng , Allan Degen , Li-lin Liu , Lei Fang , Xiao-ling Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116588","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116588","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The donkey has been receiving increasing attention due to its milk production, and the manipulation of milk fat content has become one of the key current topics. We tested the hypothesis that the dietary proportions of lipids, non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and neutral detergent fibers (NDF) affect milk composition in jennies. Twenty-four lactating jennies of similar age, weight (180 ± 4.1 kg) and foaling date were assigned randomly into three dietary groups: high lipids and NDF with low NFC (HLF); medium lipids and NDF with intermediate NFC (MLF); and low lipids and NDF with high NFC (LLF). The three diets were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous, and the study consisted of 14 days of adaptation and 56 days of measurements. Milk, blood and fecal samples were collected to determine the effects of dietary intake on milk composition, blood metabolites, and fecal short-chain fatty acids and microbiota. The percentage (<em>P</em> = 0.007) and yield (<em>P</em> = 0.013) of milk fat in the HLF group were greater than in the MLF and LLF groups, while the percentages of milk protein (<em>P</em> < 0.001) and lactose (<em>P</em> < 0.001) were greater in the MLF group than in the HCS and LLF groups. The concentrations of milk medium-chain fatty acids (FA) (<em>P</em> = 0.047), polyunsaturated FA (<em>P</em> = 0.021) and unsaturated FA (UFA) (<em>P</em> = 0.036) were greater in the HLF than LLF group, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of ∑≤ C14 FA was greater (<em>P</em> = 0.003) in the HLF and MLF groups than the LLF group, while the FCR of ∑≥ C18 FA in the LLF group was greater (<em>P</em> = 0.046) than in the HLF group. Most differential blood metabolites between HLF and MLF or between HLF and MLF groups were related to lipid metabolism. Fermentation parameters in the rectal feces did not differ among groups. The abundances of the phylum Spirochaetes (<em>P</em> < 0.001) and the genus <em>Treponema</em> (<em>P</em> < 0.001) in the feces of the MLF and LLF groups were lesser, but the abundances of <em>Prevotella</em> (<em>P</em> < 0.001) and <em>Ruminococcus</em> (<em>P</em> = 0.009) in the MLF and LLF groups were greater than in the HLF group. A high proportion of dietary lipids and NDF increased milk fat content, UFA concentrations, feed conversion ratio of ∑≤ C14 FA, and abundance of fecal cellulolytic bacteria; whereas, a high proportion of dietary NFC increased blood FA metabolites and the abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria. Dietary composition can influence milk composition in jennies, and high proportions of lipids and NDF can increase milk fat content.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116588"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116593
Everton C. de. Medeiros , André L. da Silva , José Morais Perreira Filho , Kevily H. de O.S. de Lucena , Gildênia A. Pereira , Mônica T. Cavalcanti , Juliana P.F. de Oliveira , Elzania S. Pereira , Edson C. Silva Filho , Leilson R. Bezerra
<div><div>The objective of this study was to produce and characterize a slow-release urea (SRU) coated in stearic acid microspheres and compare it to uncoated urea (U) and a commercial rumen-protected urea in the diet of lambs. In the first phase, SRU microspheres were produced using a 2:1 ratio of stearic acid to urea and evaluated in a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial experiment. The factors included two drying methods [lyophilization (LYO) and oven drying (OD)] and the presence or absence of a sulfur (S) source. This resulted in four treatments: oven-dried without sulfur (OD), oven-dried with sulfur (ODS), lyophilized without sulfur (LYO), and lyophilized with sulfur (LYOS). Thermogravimetric (TG) analyses revealed that the addition of sulfur reduced (<em>P</em> < 0.05) urea protection capacity regardless of the drying method. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the LYO microspheres exhibited a more intact surface structure compared to the other treatments. An interaction between drying method and sulfur presence was observed for total nitrogen (N), crude protein (CP), and water activity (<em>P</em> < 0.05). All treatments showed similar production yields (88.6–89.4 %) and encapsulation efficiency (99.7–101 %), with no significant effect from drying method or sulfur inclusion. However, sulfur-enriched microspheres (ODS and LYOS) had higher moisture contents (<em>P</em> < 0.05) compared to their non-sulfur counterparts (OD and LYO). Additionally, water activity was lower (<em>P</em> = 0.043) in the OD treatment. Based on thermal stability and urea retention, the lyophilized microspheres without sulfur (LYO) were selected. In the second phase, the LYO microspheres were tested in a feeding trial with 30 uncastrated crossbred lambs (Santa Ines × Dorper), aged approximately 6 months and with an average body weight of 23.2 ± 1.0 kg. The animals were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design: (1) control diet with 1.5 % free urea (U), (2) diet with 1.5 % commercial SRU, and (3) diet with 4.5 % LYO (on a dry matter basis). The study evaluated performance, ingestive behavior, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Lamb fed SRU-LYO and commercial SRU presented higher nutrients intake, eating time, chews number, N-intake and N-digested compared to U. In contrast, lamb fed SRU-LYO exhibited lower spent idling time, chewing activity, N-urinary excretion and NH<sub>3</sub>-N concentration compared to U and commercial SRU (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Lambs fed SRU-LYO presented higher ruminating time, N-total excreted, final BW, total weight gain, and ADG compared to those receiving U and commercial SRU (<em>P</em> < 0.05), and U and SRU-LYO presented higher feeding efficiency than commercial SRU. Slow-release urea was successfully microencapsulated using stearic acid and lyophilization (SRU-LYO). Compared to uncoated urea and commercial SRU, the inclusion of 4.5
{"title":"Encapsulation of slow-release urea in stearic acid microspheres: Effects on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and performance in lambs","authors":"Everton C. de. Medeiros , André L. da Silva , José Morais Perreira Filho , Kevily H. de O.S. de Lucena , Gildênia A. Pereira , Mônica T. Cavalcanti , Juliana P.F. de Oliveira , Elzania S. Pereira , Edson C. Silva Filho , Leilson R. Bezerra","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116593","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116593","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this study was to produce and characterize a slow-release urea (SRU) coated in stearic acid microspheres and compare it to uncoated urea (U) and a commercial rumen-protected urea in the diet of lambs. In the first phase, SRU microspheres were produced using a 2:1 ratio of stearic acid to urea and evaluated in a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial experiment. The factors included two drying methods [lyophilization (LYO) and oven drying (OD)] and the presence or absence of a sulfur (S) source. This resulted in four treatments: oven-dried without sulfur (OD), oven-dried with sulfur (ODS), lyophilized without sulfur (LYO), and lyophilized with sulfur (LYOS). Thermogravimetric (TG) analyses revealed that the addition of sulfur reduced (<em>P</em> < 0.05) urea protection capacity regardless of the drying method. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the LYO microspheres exhibited a more intact surface structure compared to the other treatments. An interaction between drying method and sulfur presence was observed for total nitrogen (N), crude protein (CP), and water activity (<em>P</em> < 0.05). All treatments showed similar production yields (88.6–89.4 %) and encapsulation efficiency (99.7–101 %), with no significant effect from drying method or sulfur inclusion. However, sulfur-enriched microspheres (ODS and LYOS) had higher moisture contents (<em>P</em> < 0.05) compared to their non-sulfur counterparts (OD and LYO). Additionally, water activity was lower (<em>P</em> = 0.043) in the OD treatment. Based on thermal stability and urea retention, the lyophilized microspheres without sulfur (LYO) were selected. In the second phase, the LYO microspheres were tested in a feeding trial with 30 uncastrated crossbred lambs (Santa Ines × Dorper), aged approximately 6 months and with an average body weight of 23.2 ± 1.0 kg. The animals were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design: (1) control diet with 1.5 % free urea (U), (2) diet with 1.5 % commercial SRU, and (3) diet with 4.5 % LYO (on a dry matter basis). The study evaluated performance, ingestive behavior, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Lamb fed SRU-LYO and commercial SRU presented higher nutrients intake, eating time, chews number, N-intake and N-digested compared to U. In contrast, lamb fed SRU-LYO exhibited lower spent idling time, chewing activity, N-urinary excretion and NH<sub>3</sub>-N concentration compared to U and commercial SRU (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Lambs fed SRU-LYO presented higher ruminating time, N-total excreted, final BW, total weight gain, and ADG compared to those receiving U and commercial SRU (<em>P</em> < 0.05), and U and SRU-LYO presented higher feeding efficiency than commercial SRU. Slow-release urea was successfully microencapsulated using stearic acid and lyophilization (SRU-LYO). Compared to uncoated urea and commercial SRU, the inclusion of 4.5 ","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116593"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116590
Mohammad Javad Mohammad Aghaei, Mehdi Hossein Yazdi, Mehdi Kazemi-Bonchenari, Mehdi Mirzaei
Early-life social environment and weaning strategy play a critical role in shaping the development, health, and welfare of dairy calves. This study investigated the interactive effects of housing system (individual vs. pair) and weaning age (50 vs. 65 days) on feed intake, growth, health, behavior, and metabolic indicators in pre-weaned Holstein calves. A total of 66 four-day-old calves (33 males, 33 females) were randomly assigned to four treatments: individual housing with weaning at 50 days (IN-WA50, n = 11), individual housing with weaning at 65 days (IN-WA65, n = 11), pair housing with weaning at 50 days (PA-WA50, n = 11 pairs), and pair housing with weaning at 65 days (PA-WA65, n = 11 pairs), resulting in 22 individually and 44 pair-housed calves. Calves remained in their assigned housing until 80 days of age. Total dry matter intake (TDMI) tended to be higher in pair-housed calves (PA; P = 0.09), while final body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) tended to be greater in calves weaned at 65 days (WA; P = 0.09 and P = 0.06, respectively). Starter intake also tended to be higher in WA50 (P = 0.06) and PA (P = 0.09) groups. Feed efficiency (FE) improved significantly in WA65 calves (P = 0.03). At day 80, WA65 calves had greater withers and hip heights (P = 0.03), and a tendency for longer body length (P = 0.09). While average fecal and respiratory scores were unaffected, PA-WA50 calves had significantly fewer days and episodes of diarrhea (P < 0.01). Pair housing also tended to reduce both the number (P = 0.07) and duration (P = 0.09) of respiratory episodes. PA calves spent more time standing (P < 0.01), whereas IN calves spent more time lying (P = 0.01). Calves weaned at 50 days exhibited more feeding activity (P = 0.02) and a tendency for increased rumination time (P = 0.09) than those weaned at 65 days. WA65 calves showed higher serum glucose concentrations throughout the trial (P = 0.046), while WA50 calves had higher overall BHB levels (P < 0.01). PA calves exhibited the highest BHB at day 80 (P = 0.04), with a significant interaction observed at day 50 (P = 0.045). Cortisol levels showed only a trend toward increase in WA65 calves at weaning (P = 0.09). In conclusion, delayed weaning improved growth and metabolic adaptation, whereas early social housing enhanced behavioral activity and contributed to a lower incidence and shorter duration of specific health symptoms. Stress indicators showed only mild and non-significant trends.
生命早期的社会环境和断奶策略对奶牛的发育、健康和福利起着至关重要的作用。本研究探讨了圈舍制度（单个vs对）和断奶年龄（50 vs 65天）对断奶前荷斯坦犊牛采食量、生长、健康、行为和代谢指标的交互影响。共66头4日龄犊牛（公33头，母33头）被随机分配到4个处理组：50天断奶的单独圈养（in - wa50, n = 11）、65天断奶的单独圈养（in - wa65, n = 11）、50天断奶的成对圈养（PA-WA50, n = 11对）和65天断奶的成对圈养（PA-WA65, n = 11对），共22头单独圈养和44头成对圈养。小牛一直待在指定的房子里，直到80天大。对舍犊牛总干物质采食量（TDMI）趋于较高（PA, P = 0.09），65日龄断奶犊牛末重（BW）和平均日增重（ADG）趋于较高（WA, P = 0.09和P = 0.06）。WA50组（P = 0.06）和PA组（P = 0.09）的发酵剂采食量也有增加的趋势。WA65犊牛的饲料效率显著提高（P = 0.03）。在第80天，WA65犊牛有更大的肩隆和臀高（P = 0.03），体长有更长的趋势（P = 0.09）。虽然平均粪便和呼吸评分未受影响，但PA-WA50犊牛的腹泻天数和发作次数显著减少（P <； 0.01）。成对住房也倾向于减少呼吸发作次数（P = 0.07）和持续时间（P = 0.09）。PA犊牛站立时间较多（P <； 0.01），而IN犊牛躺着时间较多（P = 0.01）。与65 d断奶犊牛相比，50 d断奶犊牛表现出更高的采食活性（P = 0.02）和反刍时间增加的趋势（P = 0.09）。在整个试验过程中，WA65犊牛的血清葡萄糖浓度较高（P = 0.046），而WA50犊牛的总体BHB水平较高（P <； 0.01）。PA犊牛在第80天表现出最高的BHB (P = 0.04)，在第50天观察到显著的相互作用（P = 0.045）。WA65犊牛在断奶时皮质醇水平仅呈上升趋势（P = 0.09）。总之，延迟断奶改善了生长和代谢适应，而早期的社会住房增强了行为活动，并有助于降低特定健康症状的发生率和缩短持续时间。应激指标仅显示出轻微和不显著的趋势。
{"title":"Effects of social contact (individual vs pair housing) and weaning age on growth, health and behavior of Holstein calves fed intensified milk feeding program","authors":"Mohammad Javad Mohammad Aghaei, Mehdi Hossein Yazdi, Mehdi Kazemi-Bonchenari, Mehdi Mirzaei","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116590","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116590","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Early-life social environment and weaning strategy play a critical role in shaping the development, health, and welfare of dairy calves. This study investigated the interactive effects of housing system (individual vs. pair) and weaning age (50 vs. 65 days) on feed intake, growth, health, behavior, and metabolic indicators in pre-weaned Holstein calves. A total of 66 four-day-old calves (33 males, 33 females) were randomly assigned to four treatments: individual housing with weaning at 50 days (IN-WA50, n = 11), individual housing with weaning at 65 days (IN-WA65, n = 11), pair housing with weaning at 50 days (PA-WA50, n = 11 pairs), and pair housing with weaning at 65 days (PA-WA65, n = 11 pairs), resulting in 22 individually and 44 pair-housed calves. Calves remained in their assigned housing until 80 days of age. Total dry matter intake (TDMI) tended to be higher in pair-housed calves (PA; P = 0.09), while final body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) tended to be greater in calves weaned at 65 days (WA; P = 0.09 and P = 0.06, respectively). Starter intake also tended to be higher in WA50 (P = 0.06) and PA (P = 0.09) groups. Feed efficiency (FE) improved significantly in WA65 calves (P = 0.03). At day 80, WA65 calves had greater withers and hip heights (P = 0.03), and a tendency for longer body length (P = 0.09). While average fecal and respiratory scores were unaffected, PA-WA50 calves had significantly fewer days and episodes of diarrhea (P < 0.01). Pair housing also tended to reduce both the number (P = 0.07) and duration (P = 0.09) of respiratory episodes. PA calves spent more time standing (P < 0.01), whereas IN calves spent more time lying (P = 0.01). Calves weaned at 50 days exhibited more feeding activity (P = 0.02) and a tendency for increased rumination time (P = 0.09) than those weaned at 65 days. WA65 calves showed higher serum glucose concentrations throughout the trial (P = 0.046), while WA50 calves had higher overall BHB levels (P < 0.01). PA calves exhibited the highest BHB at day 80 (P = 0.04), with a significant interaction observed at day 50 (P = 0.045). Cortisol levels showed only a trend toward increase in WA65 calves at weaning (P = 0.09). In conclusion, delayed weaning improved growth and metabolic adaptation, whereas early social housing enhanced behavioral activity and contributed to a lower incidence and shorter duration of specific health symptoms. Stress indicators showed only mild and non-significant trends.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116590"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116592
Christian Friis Børsting, Samantha Joan Noel, Saman Lashkari, Anne Louise Frydendahl Hellwing
Emission of enteric methane from cattle is a challenge for sustainable milk production. Blends of essential oils (EO), as a feed additive, have the potential to reduce enteric methane from cattle. The aim of the present study was to evaluate dairy cow performance, methane emissions and rumen microbiome, when fed a grass-clover silage-based diet supplemented with a blend of EO from the company Agolin SA (AR). Thirty-six Holstein cows were allocated to one of two treatment groups and were fed either a standard TMR diet, or the same diet added 1 g per cow per day of the AR product, which contained 200 mg active blend of EO. The experiment was conducted for a period of 10 weeks in a continuous design plus a pre-period of 1 week. The cows had free access to GreenFeed methane measurement devices throughout the experiment. Individual dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, milk composition, rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) were measured. Rumen microbiome was analyzed from metagenomic sequencing of DNA from rumen samples and quantitative PCR targeting total Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi and Protozoa. There was no effect of AR on DMI (P = 0.25), energy-corrected (ECM), milk yield (P = 0.47), or feed efficiency (P = 0.64). Furthermore, there was no significant effect of AR on production of methane per day (P = 0.67), per kg DMI (P = 1.00), or per kg ECM (P = 0.71). In conclusion, adding 200 mg of EO to diets with a high proportion of grass-clover silage had no significant effect on dairy cow performance, methane emissions, rumen fermentation or rumen microbiome.
{"title":"Performance, feed efficiency, methane emission and rumen microbiome in lactating dairy cows fed a grass-clover silage-based diet supplemented with an essential oil blend","authors":"Christian Friis Børsting, Samantha Joan Noel, Saman Lashkari, Anne Louise Frydendahl Hellwing","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116592","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116592","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Emission of enteric methane from cattle is a challenge for sustainable milk production. Blends of essential oils (EO), as a feed additive, have the potential to reduce enteric methane from cattle. The aim of the present study was to evaluate dairy cow performance, methane emissions and rumen microbiome, when fed a grass-clover silage-based diet supplemented with a blend of EO from the company Agolin SA (AR). Thirty-six Holstein cows were allocated to one of two treatment groups and were fed either a standard TMR diet, or the same diet added 1 g per cow per day of the AR product, which contained 200 mg active blend of EO. The experiment was conducted for a period of 10 weeks in a continuous design plus a pre-period of 1 week. The cows had free access to GreenFeed methane measurement devices throughout the experiment. Individual dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, milk composition, rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) were measured. Rumen microbiome was analyzed from metagenomic sequencing of DNA from rumen samples and quantitative PCR targeting total Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi and Protozoa. There was no effect of AR on DMI (<em>P</em> = 0.25), energy-corrected (ECM), milk yield (<em>P</em> = 0.47), or feed efficiency (<em>P</em> = 0.64). Furthermore, there was no significant effect of AR on production of methane per day (<em>P</em> = 0.67), per kg DMI (<em>P</em> = 1.00), or per kg ECM (<em>P</em> = 0.71). In conclusion, adding 200 mg of EO to diets with a high proportion of grass-clover silage had no significant effect on dairy cow performance, methane emissions, rumen fermentation or rumen microbiome.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116592"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aquaculture is a rapidly developing food-producing industry that often faces threats from pathogenic agents. Since persistent use of antibiotics is associated with several drawbacks, nutritional supplements, probiotic preparations, and immunostimulants are being used to improve health conditions of aquaculture species. Generally regarded as safe (GRAS) microorganisms capable of growing on low-cost substrates with high protein contents and desirable fatty acid profiles are significant in this regard. In the current investigation, a tropical marine strain of Yarrowia lipolytica (NCIM 3589) capable of growing on waste substrates [waste cooking oil (WCO), whey, and raw glycerol] was evaluated for applications in aquaculture as feed. When the concentrations of the three substrates were varied, the maximum biomass of Y. lipolytica NCIM 3589 was obtained with 0.7 % WCO, 50 % whey, or 1 % glycerol. Effects of the harvested biomass on the crustacean model species (Artemia salina) with respect to growth, survival, resistance towards aquaculture pathogens, and immune responses were monitored. Biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Y. lipolytica NCIM 3589 grown on glucose was considered as control samples (C1 and C2, respectively). On the other hand, Y. lipolytica NCIM 3589 cultivated on WCO (T1), whey (T2), and glycerol (T3) were the test samples used as feed for A. salina. Specimens fed with T3 samples were larger and displayed well-developed appendages. Moreover, A. salina groups fed with T3 and T1 samples showed better survival (100.00 ± 0.00 and 95.55 ± 7.70 %, respectively); resistance towards Vibrio harveyi MTCC 7771 (95.55 ± 3.85 and 71.10 ± 3.85 % respectively) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 2295 (93.33 ± 6.67 and 46.67 ± 11.55 %, respectively) compared to those fed with other diets. Total protein content, a greater variety of fatty acids, presence of specific types of fatty acids were some features that probably contributed to better growth and pathogen resistance. There was upregulation of hsp70, tgase, and proPO genes in groups of larvae fed with Y. lipolytica NCIM 3589 diets (C2, T1, T2, and T3) compared to those fed with S. cerevisiae (C1) diets, indicative of increased immunity in the former sets. This study demonstrates the potential of the marine yeast capable of growing on low-cost substrates in improving survival, overall health, and immune responses in aquaculture organisms.
{"title":"The tropical marine yeast Yarrowia lipolytica NCIM 3589 as a feed for Artemia salina: evaluation of nutritional and immunostimulatory properties","authors":"Sayali Haldule , Akanksha Kashikar , Smita Zinjarde","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116587","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116587","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aquaculture is a rapidly developing food-producing industry that often faces threats from pathogenic agents. Since persistent use of antibiotics is associated with several drawbacks, nutritional supplements, probiotic preparations, and immunostimulants are being used to improve health conditions of aquaculture species. Generally regarded as safe (GRAS) microorganisms capable of growing on low-cost substrates with high protein contents and desirable fatty acid profiles are significant in this regard. In the current investigation, a tropical marine strain of <em>Yarrowia lipolytica</em> (NCIM 3589) capable of growing on waste substrates [waste cooking oil (WCO), whey, and raw glycerol] was evaluated for applications in aquaculture as feed. When the concentrations of the three substrates were varied, the maximum biomass of <em>Y. lipolytica</em> NCIM 3589 was obtained with 0.7 % WCO, 50 % whey, or 1 % glycerol. Effects of the harvested biomass on the crustacean model species (<em>Artemia salina</em>) with respect to growth, survival, resistance towards aquaculture pathogens, and immune responses were monitored. Biomass of <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em> and <em>Y. lipolytica</em> NCIM 3589 grown on glucose was considered as control samples (C1 and C2, respectively). On the other hand, <em>Y. lipolytica</em> NCIM 3589 cultivated on WCO (T1), whey (T2), and glycerol (T3) were the test samples used as feed for <em>A. salina</em>. Specimens fed with T3 samples were larger and displayed well-developed appendages. Moreover, <em>A. salina</em> groups fed with T3 and T1 samples showed better survival (100.00 ± 0.00 and 95.55 ± 7.70 %, respectively); resistance towards <em>Vibrio harveyi</em> MTCC 7771 (95.55 ± 3.85 and 71.10 ± 3.85 % respectively) and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> MTCC 2295 (93.33 ± 6.67 and 46.67 ± 11.55 %, respectively) compared to those fed with other diets. Total protein content, a greater variety of fatty acids, presence of specific types of fatty acids were some features that probably contributed to better growth and pathogen resistance. There was upregulation of <em>hsp70</em>, <em>tgase</em>, and <em>proPO</em> genes in groups of larvae fed with <em>Y. lipolytica</em> NCIM 3589 diets (C2, T1, T2, and T3) compared to those fed with <em>S. cerevisiae</em> (C1) diets, indicative of increased immunity in the former sets. This study demonstrates the potential of the marine yeast capable of growing on low-cost substrates in improving survival, overall health, and immune responses in aquaculture organisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116587"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116576
Mostafa Bokharaeian , Barış Kaki
Heat stress impairs growth, feed efficiency, and metabolic function in lambs. Rumen-protected betaine (RPB) may alleviate these effects by enhancing thermotolerance, improving nutrient utilization, and supporting rumen function. This study evaluated the effects of dietary RPB supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, nitrogen metabolism, microbial protein synthesis, and glucose tolerance in heat-stressed lambs. Forty crossbred lambs [Île-de-France × (Dalagh × Romanov)] with an initial body weight of 33.3 ± 2.67 kg were randomly assigned to four treatments: (i) control (CTRL, no RPB), (ii) RPBL (low dose of 2 g RPB/head/day), (iii) RPBM (medium dose of 4 g RPB/head/day), and (iv) RPBH (high dose of 6 g RPB/head/day) for 67 days. RPB supplementation improved final body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01), without affecting dry matter intake (DMI). Apparent digestibility of crude protein and fiber fractions increased linearly (p < 0.05). Ruminal NH₃-N concentrations declined (p < 0.01), while total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and butyrate increased (p < 0.05). RPB also enhanced nitrogen retention, reduced urinary and fecal nitrogen excretion (p < 0.01), and increased microbial protein synthesis (p < 0.001). Furthermore, glucose tolerance tests revealed improved glucose clearance and reduced insulin responses in RPB-fed lambs (p < 0.001). In conclusion, RPB supplementation, particularly at medium levels, enhanced growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, rumen fermentation efficiency, and glucose metabolism in lambs under heat stress. These findings highlight RPB as a promising nutritional strategy to improve resilience and productivity in hot climates.
{"title":"Effects of rumen-protected betaine on performance, rumen function, nutrient digestibility, and nitrogen metabolism in heat-stressed lambs","authors":"Mostafa Bokharaeian , Barış Kaki","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116576","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116576","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heat stress impairs growth, feed efficiency, and metabolic function in lambs. Rumen-protected betaine (RPB) may alleviate these effects by enhancing thermotolerance, improving nutrient utilization, and supporting rumen function. This study evaluated the effects of dietary RPB supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, nitrogen metabolism, microbial protein synthesis, and glucose tolerance in heat-stressed lambs. Forty crossbred lambs [Île-de-France × (Dalagh × Romanov)] with an initial body weight of 33.3 ± 2.67 kg were randomly assigned to four treatments: (i) control (CTRL, no RPB), (ii) RPBL (low dose of 2 g RPB/head/day), (iii) RPBM (medium dose of 4 g RPB/head/day), and (iv) RPBH (high dose of 6 g RPB/head/day) for 67 days. RPB supplementation improved final body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01), without affecting dry matter intake (DMI). Apparent digestibility of crude protein and fiber fractions increased linearly (p < 0.05). Ruminal NH₃-N concentrations declined (p < 0.01), while total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and butyrate increased (p < 0.05). RPB also enhanced nitrogen retention, reduced urinary and fecal nitrogen excretion (p < 0.01), and increased microbial protein synthesis (p < 0.001). Furthermore, glucose tolerance tests revealed improved glucose clearance and reduced insulin responses in RPB-fed lambs (p < 0.001). In conclusion, RPB supplementation, particularly at medium levels, enhanced growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, rumen fermentation efficiency, and glucose metabolism in lambs under heat stress. These findings highlight RPB as a promising nutritional strategy to improve resilience and productivity in hot climates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116576"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116574
Yeojin An, Thi Kim Thi Pham, Yoon Soo Song, Beob Gyun Kim
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Amino acid digestibility and energy concentrations in cashew nuts and copra meal fed to pigs” [Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 329 (2025) 116469]","authors":"Yeojin An, Thi Kim Thi Pham, Yoon Soo Song, Beob Gyun Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116574","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116574","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 116574"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145569045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116577
Reshma Gurung , Frank W. Abrahamsen , Kim Mullenix , Woubit Abebe , Arthur L. Goetsch , Khim B. Ale , Nar K. Gurung
Weaning is a stressful period for beef calves, and these stresses might affect the immune system and increase infection risks. This study investigated the effects of Chromium Propionate (CrP) supplementation on growth performance and immune responses of weaned beef calves. A total of 12 pens (n = 12; 6 pens/group, 10 calves/pen), were assigned to two treatment groups (Control: 0 ppm; Treated: 0.5 ppm on a dry matter basis from KemTRACE® Cr propionate, 0.4 %) in a completely randomized design with subsampling, with six pens allocated to each treatment group. Calves were fed free-choice bermudagrass hay, water, mineral blocks, and a 50:50 mix of soybean hulls and corn gluten meal for 60 days. Calves’ body weights were measured on days 0, 30, and 60. Blood was sampled from calves from a subset of four pens (n = 4; 2 pens/group) to perform complete blood counts, serum biochemistry analysis, cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-alpha), and serum IgG antibody titers measurements. Cell-mediated immunity was evaluated by using phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and humoral immune response was assessed by chicken ovalbumin (cOVA) injections. Average daily gain from day 30–60 was significantly increased (P < 0.05) by Cr supplementation. Cytokine concentration of IL-2 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the Cr-treated beef calves, indicating immune modulation and a shift towards a Th1-type immune response. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an indirect indicator of cortisol, was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), supporting that Cr supplementation may lower physiological stress and improve immune homeostasis. Moreover, IL-4 and TNF-alpha tended to be lower (P < 0.1), suggesting a potential for regulated inflammatory immune response. These findings suggest that Cr supplementation in beef calves’ feed may improve their growth performance and immune function.
{"title":"Evaluation of chromium propionate on growth performance and immune response in weaned beef calves","authors":"Reshma Gurung , Frank W. Abrahamsen , Kim Mullenix , Woubit Abebe , Arthur L. Goetsch , Khim B. Ale , Nar K. Gurung","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116577","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116577","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Weaning is a stressful period for beef calves, and these stresses might affect the immune system and increase infection risks. This study investigated the effects of Chromium Propionate (CrP) supplementation on growth performance and immune responses of weaned beef calves. A total of 12 pens (n = 12; 6 pens/group, 10 calves/pen), were assigned to two treatment groups (Control: 0 ppm; Treated: 0.5 ppm on a dry matter basis from KemTRACE® Cr propionate, 0.4 %) in a completely randomized design with subsampling, with six pens allocated to each treatment group. Calves were fed free-choice bermudagrass hay, water, mineral blocks, and a 50:50 mix of soybean hulls and corn gluten meal for 60 days. Calves’ body weights were measured on days 0, 30, and 60. Blood was sampled from calves from a subset of four pens (n = 4; 2 pens/group) to perform complete blood counts, serum biochemistry analysis, cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-alpha), and serum IgG antibody titers measurements. Cell-mediated immunity was evaluated by using phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and humoral immune response was assessed by chicken ovalbumin (cOVA) injections. Average daily gain from day 30–60 was significantly increased (P < 0.05) by Cr supplementation. Cytokine concentration of IL-2 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the Cr-treated beef calves, indicating immune modulation and a shift towards a Th1-type immune response. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an indirect indicator of cortisol, was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), supporting that Cr supplementation may lower physiological stress and improve immune homeostasis. Moreover, IL-4 and TNF-alpha tended to be lower (P < 0.1), suggesting a potential for regulated inflammatory immune response. These findings suggest that Cr supplementation in beef calves’ feed may improve their growth performance and immune function.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116577"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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