Evaluation of the effects of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus Licheni formis promix on blood metabolites and elements and weight gain in rearing calves

Abstract

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms which are colonized in the digestive system of livestock and influence some of the blood parameters through special mechanisms. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted to clarify the influence of promix containing living spores of the two bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis on body weight gain, blood metabolites and elements of calves. Twenty male Holstein calves were divided into two groups of ten calves and kept at separate bans. The control group were fed with a standard ration and the treatment group were fed with the same ration plus promix (1.6 × 109 cfu/g feed or 500 g/T feed) for 45 days. Calves were weighed in the 1st, 15th, 30th and 45th days and blood samples were collected for measurement of some metabolites and blood elements. The obtained means were compared using the T- test. The results indicated that the average daily weight gain using promix had a non-significant improvement of 4.8% (p>0.05). Also the average daily weight gain showed a non significant improvement in each of the 3 experimental periods (p>0.05). Blood phosphorus and calcium of calves increased significantly influenced by promix with the increase being non significant in the first experimental period and significant in the second and third periods (p

Keywords

• probiotic
• promix
• Blood parameters
• weight gain
• calves