Effects of β-Mannanase and Bacteriophage Supplementation on Health and Growth Performance of Holstein Calves

• Main Authors: Sinyong Jeong, Namchul Jo, Jung-Jin Lee, Jae-Hwan Lee, Dong-Keun Kam, Jakyeom Seo, Ermias Kebreab, Seongwon Seo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-02-01
• Series: Animals
• Subjects: β-mannanase; enzyme; bacteriophage; feed additives; calf; growth
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/2/372

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with bacteriophage and β-mannanase on health and growth performance in calves. Thirty-six pre-weaning male Holstein calves were randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: no supplementation, 0.1% β-mannanase, 0.1% bacteriophage, and both 0.1% bacteriophage and 0.1% β-mannanase supplementation in a starter on a dry matter basis. The experiment lasted from 2 weeks before weaning to 8 weeks after weaning. Twenty-two calves survived to the end of the experiment. No interaction was observed between the two different feed additives. The bacteriophage supplementation tended to increase the odds ratio of survival (<i>p</i> = 0.09). The number of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in feces significantly decreased by bacteriophage supplementation one week after weaning. β-mannanase supplementation increased the concentrate intake (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and tended to increase the final BW (<i>p</i> = 0.08). Analysis of repeated measures indicated β-mannanase supplementation increased weekly body weight gain (<i>p</i> = 0.018). We conclude that bacteriophage supplementation may have a positive effect on calf survival rate, while β-mannanase supplementation may increase the growth rate and starter intake by calves just before and after weaning.