Effects of a multispecies symbiotic on Growth Characteristics, Hematologic and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Neotatal Calves

The effect of probiotics and peribitocis on improvement of immune system and preventing of disease as well as decresing of antibiotics side effect, has been attracted in recent years. The theory related to the usefulness of probiotics is that these exogenous bacteria can become established in the gut, thereby reducing the chance for pathogens to become established and this is very important in neonatal calves’ high incidence of intestinal and respiratory diseases. In the present study, 21 Holstein female calves (with an average birth weight of 42.5 kg) were randomly divided into three equal groups. Calves in group 1 (control) received no probiotics, while the calves in groups 2 and 3 were given 0.2 and 0.4 g of a symbiotic (Imonox: containing probiotic, prebiotic, nanocalcic and some vitamins) daily with colostrum or milk until Day 28. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein in the first day and up to fourth weeks with 7 days interval. Blood parameters were determined using an autoanalyzer. The growth parameters, immunoglobins and oxidative stress were also measured. The results showed that the parameters of body length and height, creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phapatase (ALP), white blood cells (WBC) and packet cell volume (PCV) were not affected by experimental treatments. In contrast, there was a significant difference in body weight, size of the chest, alanin aminotransfrase (ALT), gamma glutamiltransfrase (GGT), neutrophils, lymphocytes, IgG, IgM, malondialdehyde and the activity of super oxide sismutase (SOD), and catalase between groups (P<0.05). The calves of group 3 had the highest levels of body weight, size of the chest, IgG, IgM, neutrophil and lymphocytes. Significant decrease oxidative stress parameters also were observed in calves of the group 3. In conclusion, the use of symbiotic (Imunox) at a dose of 0.4 g per day is recommended to improve the health, weigth and the immune system in Holstein newborn calves.