Ying Cai | ALES Graduate Seminar

Event details: A graduate exam seminar is a presentation of the student’s final research project for their degree. This is an ALES course-based MSc Seminar by Ying Cai. This seminar is open to the general public to attend.

Zoom Link: https://ualberta-ca.zoom.us/j/6264675397?pwd=SndQMlA0UnNvcXVQVllQNTdVSmxSdz09&omn=91567024295&jst=2

MSc with Dr. Anne Laarman      

Thesis Topic: Effects of butyrate and monensin as colostrum supplements on stress mitigation and gut health in newborn calves

Abstract: Colostrum feeding management is crucial for successful passive immune transfer in newborn calves. However, there is limited knowledge about the effects of butyrate and monensin as colostrum supplementation on stress markers and gastrointestinal health in newborn calves. This study investigated the effects of supplemental butyrate and monensin in colostrum replacer on small intestine morphology, systemic antioxidant status, and systemic inflammatory response in newborn calves. A total of 36 newborn bull calves (n=9) were weighted (body weight = 41.39 ± 1.41 kg) and assigned to one of four groups. They were: 1) Control: fed 1.3 L of colostrum replacer 2) Butyrate: fed 1.3 L of colostrum replacer and 2.5% (w/v) non-rumen-protected Na butyrate 3) Monensin: fed 1.3 L of colostrum replacer and 1 mg/kg BW monensin and 4) Baseline: no feeding and harvested at 1 hour after birth. Calves that received colostrum were harvested at 12 hours of life. All colostrum treatments were adjusted to an osmolality of 400 mOsm/kg by saline solution. Blood samples and small intestine samples (duodenum, proximal jejunum, distal jejunum, and ileum) were collected at harvest for analysis. Data were analyzed using an ordinal logistic regression model (Control as the reference group) and Kruskal-Wallis test followed by the Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner test to assess treatment effects, covariate effects (body weight and breed), and identify specific group differences. Histology data indicated that butyrate supplementation improved corneal sloughing in the duodenum (P < 0.01) and proximal jejunum (P < 0.05) compared to the control group, monensin group also exhibited a better corneal sloughing score in distal jejunum (P < 0.01), while baseline has a more severe corneal sloughing compared to the control group (P < 0.05). No treatment effects were detected on goblet cells and eosinophil infiltration scoring in all four intestinal regions. Body weight influenced corneal sloughing and eosinophil infiltration in the distal jejunum (P < 0.05) and proximal jejunum (P < 0.01), respectively. Breed differences were observed in the ileum eosinophil infiltration (P < 0.05). No differences were detected in plasma total antioxidant capacity and haptoglobin concentration. Overall, the data indicates that supplemental butyrate in colostrum replacer can improve intestinal epithelial integrity, while systemic antioxidant and inflammatory responses remained minimal in all groups during the first day of life.