Positive effect of sodium butyrate on suckling calves

Latest studies on the effects of sodium butyrate in calves have been published in the Journal of Dairy Science by Gorka et al. In this paper, the effect of encapsulated sodium butyrate added in milk replacer and Prestarter was tested. When used at 3 kg per MT of milk replacer, sodium butyrate increased the average daily gain during the first 21 days of life (p=0.09) and also avoided a weight loss during the first week (P=0.05). Also, the addition of sodium butyrate in prestarter feed at a dose of 6 kg per MT increased the intake of prestarter feed in the first 21 days of age (P=0.06). Another effect of butyrate (when added in both feed and in milk replacer) was an increase in the blood glucose levels combined with a reduction of the levels of beta hydroxibutyrate (BHBA). The use of butyrate in the diet also had an impact on the ruminal development. Animals fed with butyrate had longer ruminal papillae, and the rumen weight compared to the total body weight was also modified. The need for antibiotic or electrolyte therapies were reduced when butyrate was used, and the treated animals had improved faecal scores. It was concluded that the addition of butyrate in milk replacer or prestarter feed improves the performance and health of suckling calves