Evaluation of encapsulated probiotics administered early in newborn calves

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of probiotic administration on growth performance, health status, and fecal microbiota in Holstein calves. Thirty animals were assigned to two groups: the treated group of animals, from 2 to 30 days of age, received a daily oral capsule containing Lactobacillus johnsonii, Ligilactobacillus murinus, Limosilactobacillus mucosae and Ligilactobacillus salivarius (1 × 109 CFU per capsule), whereas the control group received placebo. Health status was monitored using the Wisconsin scoring system, and body weight was recorded at 2 and 60 days of age. Fecal microbiota was characterized at 30 ± 3 days through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. No significant differences were observed between groups regarding diarrhea incidence, weight gain, or microbiota structure. A higher relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Collinsella was observed in the treated group.