title: Effect of cellooligosaccharide or synbiotic feeding on growth performance, fecal condition and hormone concentrations in Holstein calves.
abstract: We investigated the effect of cellooligosaccharide (CE) or a combination of dextran and Lactobacillus casei ssp. casei strain JCM1134(T) (synbiotic; SB) feeding on growth performance, fecal condition and hormone concentrations in Holstein calves. Fifty-two female Holstein calves were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: CE feeding group (n = 16), SB feeding group (n = 18), and control group (n = 18). Body weight at 90 days of age, as well as daily body weight gain (DG) and feed efficiency after weaning to 90 days of age were greater (P < 0.05) in the CE feeding group than in the control group. The total fecal score tended to be lower (P < 0.1) in the SB feeding group than in the control group. Plasma insulin concentration was higher (P < 0.05) in the CE feeding group than in the control group at 90 days of age. Our results indicate that CE feeding improved DG and feed efficiency in calves. On the other hand, there was less effect on growth performance and fecal Escherichia coli counts in calves fed SB.
authors.affiliation: Toyama Prefectural Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Research Center, Toyama, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hasunuma
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawashima
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanagawa
authors.forename: Takashige
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Fuminori
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Terada
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kushibiki
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D007328:Insulin; D013006:Growth Hormone