Effects of saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products on growth performance, fecal short chain fatty acids, and microbiota of pre-weaning calves

Objective: This research aims to explore the effects of incorporating saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products (SCFP) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, fecal SCFAs, and microbial composition of pre-weaning calves.

Methods: Twenty Holstein calves, 10 days old and weighing an average of 48.63±0.91 kg, were randomly assigned to either the control group (CON) or the SCFP group, with 10 calves in each group. The CON group received only a basal diet, while the SCFP group received the starter diet supplemented with 5 g/head/d of SCFP products (NutriTek, Diamond V Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, United States). The pre-trial period lasted for 5 days, followed by a main experimental period of 45 days.

Results: The SCFP group had significantly higher final weight, ADG, and FE compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the SCFP group exhibited increased apparent digestibility of DM, CP, EE, ADF, Ca, and P (p < 0.05). Additionally, supplementation with SCFP led to elevated content of GH, IGF-1, and GLP-1 in serum. The inclusion of SCFP also raised serum CAT content and reduced serum MDA content in pre-weaning calves. Furthermore, SCFP supplementation influenced the composition of intestinal microflora by decreasing Actinobacteriota abundance and increasing the abundance of Ruminococcus, Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, Parabacteroides, and Butyricimonas.

Conclusion: The addition of SCFP has a positive impact on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microflora composition of pre-weaning calves.