China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2023, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (9): 3613-3621.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2023.09.017

• Nutrition and Feed • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Active Dry Yeast Preparation on Growth Performance and Blood Index of Suckling Calves of Yanbian Yellow Cattle

ZHAO Zhiwei1, GENG Chunyin1,2, GENG Kai1, FENG Xin1, ZHANG Min1,2, JIN Yinghai1,2   

  1. 1. College of Agriculture, Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, China;
    2. Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Science and Technology Innovation of Beef Cattle in Northeast Cold Region, Yanji 133002, China
  • Received:2023-04-06 Online:2023-09-05 Published:2023-08-24

Abstract: 【Objective】 To study the effects of supplemental feeding of Chinese herbal medicine feed additives and active dry yeast on the growth performance and blood index of suckling calves.【Method】 Twenty-four suckling Yanbian Yellow calves of similar weight (93.06 kg±11.20 kg) and age (3.5 months) and in good condition were selected and randomly divided into three groups of eight calves each (five male calves and three female calves) using a completely randomised trial design. The control group was fed with basic diet,the Chinese herbal group was supplemented with 0.5% Chinese herbal feed additive on top of the control group and the yeast group was supplemented with Raman active dry yeast at 1 g/d on top of the control group.The trial period was 31 days,with a pre trial period of 10 days and a formal trial period of 21 days.During the experiment,feed and fecal samples were collected,and after the experiment,blood samples were collected to measure the feed intake,digestion rate,and serum indicators of the calves.【Result】 Compared with control group,① The average daily gain (ADG) was significantly higher in both the herbal and yeast groups (P<0.05);② The digestibility of dry matter (DM),crude protein (CP),neutral detergent fibre (NDF),acid detergent fibre (ADF) and crude fat (EE) were significantly higher in the herbal and yeast groups of calves (P<0.05);③ Serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels were significantly higher in calves in the herbal and yeast groups (P<0.05),while triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels were slightly higher but did not show significant differences (P>0.05);④The serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) content was significantly higher in the herbal group (P<0.05) and the serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) content were significantly higher in both the herbal and yeast groups (P<0.05);⑤The serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) levels were significantly lower in the herbal and yeast groups (P<0.05);⑥ The activity of serum catalase (CAT) were significantly higher in the herbal group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the yeast group(P>0.05).【Conclusion】 Supplementation with 0.5% herbal feed additives or 1 g/d active dry yeast preparations could improve the growth performance and development of suckling calves to varying degrees,and could also promote calf immune and antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Key words: Chinese herbal medicine feed; active dry yeast; suckling calves; blood index

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