Effects Of Sodium Butyrate On Growth Performance,Rumen Fermentation And Gastrointestional Development Of Lactating Calves

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sodium butyrate on growth performance,rumen fermentation function and gastrointestinal development of lactating calves.Twenty four male Holstein calves(39.86 + 3.69 kg)of 14 days old and in good health condition during lactation were selected and divided into two groups: experimental group(with 0.5% sodium butyrate)and control group(without sodium butyrate),with 12 calves in each group.All the animals were fed with the same amount of whole milk(DM 0.56 kg / d)every day in a single cage.The feed was taken freely,and the feed amount and intake were recorded every day.The body weight and body size of calves were measured before morning feeding at 4,6 and 9 weeks old.Rumen fluid was collected at 6,8 and 9 weeks old and rumen fermentation parameters were measured.The experimental period was 7 weeks,and calves were slaughtered at 9 weeks old.Part ? Effect of sodium butyrate on growth and slaughter Performance of lactating calves(1)The body weight of calves in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group(P < 0.05).The weekly and average daily gain of calves in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group(P < 0.01),and the dry matter intake of calves in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group(P < 0.05).(2)The body height and chest circumference of the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group(P < 0.05).The weekly average daily growth body length of the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group(P < 0.05),and the average daily growth body length and chest circumference of the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group(P < 0.05).(3)The proportion of fecal score of one score in the whole experimental Period in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group(P < 0.01).(4)The gross Profit of the experimental group was 6.53 yuan /(head · d)higher than the control group.(5)There was no significant difference in slaughter Performance and organ index between the experimental group and the control group(P > 0.05),but the carcass weight and slaughter rate of the experimental group were higher than the control group,8.61% and 0.78% higher respectively.The second part: the effect of sodium butyrate on rumen fermentation and gastrointestinal development of lactating calves(1)There was no significant effect of sodium butyrate on PH and ammonia nitrogen concentration in rumen fluid of lactating calves(P > 0.05).(2)The concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and propionic acid in the oral samples of the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group(P < 0.01)at 0.5h and early stage after feeding.The concentrations of acetic acid in the oral samples of the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group(P < 0.05)at 0.5h and early stage after feeding;the concentrations of butyric acid in the oral samples and slaughter samples of the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group(P < 0.01).The content of butyric acid in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group(P < 0.05).The ratio of acetate to propionate in the experimental group was lower than in the control group(P > 0.05).(3)The weight of rumen-reticulum in experimental group was significantly higher than in control group(P < 0.05),34.17% higher than in control group;the weight of total stomach,total volume of stomach,omasum and abomasum in experimental group was higher than in control group(P > 0.05).(4)The total weight and length of intestine in the experimental group were significantly higher than in the control group(P < 0.01),and the weight and length of jejunum in the experimental group were significantly higher than in the control group(P < 0.05).To sum up,adding sodium butyrate in the starter can improve the daily gain,feed intake,carcass weight and slaughter rate of lactating calves,increase the fecal good rate of calves,and obtain better economic benefits.It can also increase the concentration of total volatile fatty acids,propionic acid and butyric acid,reduce the ratio of acetate to propionate;increase the weight of rumen-reticulum,Promote the development of rumen.The addition of sodium butyrate also significantly Promoted the development of jejunum and the whole intestine.