Effects of using probiotic and synbiotic in colostrum and milk on passive immunoglobulin transfer rate, growth and health parameters of calf

In this study, effects of probiotic and synbiotic addition to colostrum and milk on passive transfer of immunoglobulins, and growth and health parameters in calves were investigated. Sixteen newborn male Holstein calves were assigned to four treatment groups and received the treatments for 48 days in a completely randomized design. Treatments were included as 1) colostrum and milk without any additive (control), 2) colostrum and milk with 2.5 g probiotic/day (the recommended level), 3) colostrum and milk with 5 g probiotic/day, and 4) colostrum and milk with synbiotic (2.5 g probiotic + 25 g prebiotic/day). Feeding the colostrum was performed immediately after the birth and then three times a day. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 1, 8, 16 and 48. Results showed that serum immunoglobulin G concentrations were significantly greater in groups received probiotic than control and synbiotic groups (P<0.05), where the greatest was observed in 2.5g probiotic group. There were no significant differences among groups in serum total protein concentrations. The starter intake in control group was significantly greater than other groups (P<0.05). Liveweight of calves at the end of the study was significantly increased in probiotic group than synbiotic group (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio was improved by adding probiotic to colostrum and milk when compared to control and synbiotic groups (P<0.05). The use of probiotic or synbiotic significantly improved the fecal score (P<0.05), but no significant differences were observed in the health score among groups. In conclusion, probiotic addition is an effective tool to increase immunoglobulin’s uptake from colostrum into calf and also improve growth performance. Therefore, the recommended level of 2.5% probiotic is confirmed to achieve the beneficial effects.