The effects of conjugated linoleic acid and vitamin C on growth performance, some blood metabolites and blood cell counts of Holstein suckling calves

Today, use of feed and vitamin additives has been prevailed to improve immune system of ruminants and their growth performance. Conjugated linoleic acid is a general name for some fatty acids with 18 carbons and conjugated double bond. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin that has antioxidant property and can remove free radicals from the cells. Both conjugated linoleic acid and vitamin C involve in several physiologic processes and their supplementation for suckling calves may have some health effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of conjugated linoleic acid and vitamin C supplements on growth performance, concentration of some blood metabolites and blood cell counts of Holstein suckling calves.
Material and For this experiment, 28 newly-born Holstein (average age of 1-8 days, and body weight 39±2 kg) were allocated to four treatments and 7 replications for each treatment in a randomized complete design with 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The experimental treatments were: 1) Basal diet (starter and whole milk), 2) Basal diet + 10 g per day of rumen protected conjugated linoleic acid, 3) Basal diet + 600 mg per day vitamin C, 4) Basal diet + 600 mg per day Vitamin C + 10 g per day of rumen protected conjugated linoleic acid. The results showed that vitamin C supplement increased starter intake in first month significantly (P<0.05). Starter intake was not affected by feeding conjugated linoleic acid. Vitamin C supplementation improved significantly daily weight gain of calves in the first month (P<0.05). Dairy weight gain of calves in the second month was affected by the interaction effect of vitamin C by conjugated linoleic acid so, calves received vitamin C and conjugated linoleic acid supplements had higher weight gain during second month of life (P <0.05). Final body weight and feed conversion ratio were not affected by the addition of conjugated linoleic acid and vitamin C during rearing periods. The results showed that adding conjugated linoleic acid and vitamin C did not affected blood parameters (glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin) of claves (P>0.05). The addition of conjugated linoleic acid increased significantly red blood cells and lymphocytes counts (P <0.05). Calves fed 600 mg of vitamin C had higher white blood cell counts than control group (P <0.05). Based on the results of this study, supplementation of vitamin C and conjugated linoleic acid could have beneficial effects on the growth and health of suckling calves