The effect of Citrus Limon essential oil on nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation of male Holstein calves

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of Citrus Limon essential oil on nutrient digestibility, blood and ruminal metabolites in male Holstein calves. This study were conducted using four male Holstein calves, each fitted with a permanent rumen cannula (average body weight 650±20 kg) that received experimental diets including control with 600, 800 and 1000 mg/d lemon essential oil and control with monensin 300 mg/d in a change-over complete randomized block design with five periods of 17 days. Apparent digestibility of OM in ration including of 1000 mg per day of Citrus Limon was highther than the others treatments (P<0.05). Experimental treatments had not affected on DM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF digestibility. The effect of treatments were not significant on glucose, HDL, albumin, total protein, cratinin, and triglyceride and urea concentration, but cholesterol values and BHB concentration in serum of control treatment were more than the other treatments (P<0.05). The concentration of propionate in rumen of animals received 1000 mg Citrus Limon essential oil, was more than control of treatment, but their concentration of butyrate was low than control treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, results showed that utilization of 1000 mg per day dose of Citrus Limon essential oil in diet could improve the OM digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics and blood BHB concentration of male Holstein calves.