Evaluation of the effects of using processed rumen fluid on weight, biochemical and hematological parameters of suckling calves

Subject Areas : Veterinary Clinical Pathology

Fariba Rezaei Sarteshnizi ¹ , Maryam Karimi Dehkordi ² , Mahsa Ahmadi ³ , Armin Deihim ⁴ , Majid Gholami Ahangaran ⁵

1 - Ph.D., Department of Animal Science, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.
2 - Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
3 - D.V.M. Graduate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
4 - D.V.M. Graduate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
5 - Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.

Received: 2024-06-08 Accepted : 2024-11-02 Published : 2025-08-20

Keywords: Biochemical and hematology parameters, Rumen fluid, Suckling calves.,

Abstract :

Rumen fluid is a source of microbial protein, enzymes, amino acids, volatile fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. It also has a diverse population of beneficial bacteria and microorganisms. Processing rumen fluid collected from slaughterhouses, in addition to reducing environmental pollution, can be a source of nutrients for animal nutrition.

Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of using dried rumen fluid by spray drying method on weaning weight and biochemical and hematological parameters of suckling calves. For this purpose, 12 suckling calves with an average birth weight of 28.04±1.10 were used. The calves were randomly divided into two equal groups: the animals in the first group received only milk as a control and the animals in the second group received processed rumen fluid at a rate of 1 g/kg of milk for 60 days as a treatment. The weaning weight of the calves was determined using a digital scale. Also, on day 60 of the experimental period, blood was collected from all calves and some biochemical and hematological parameters were measured, including glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, urea, albumin, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase concentration, alanine aminotransferase, total white blood cell count, differential count of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and hematocrit. The results showed that the weight of calves was significantly affected by the treatment and was significantly higher in group 2 calves (p<0.05). However, the biochemical and hematological parameters of calves were not significantly affected by the treatment. According to the results of the present study, it seems that the use of processed rumen fluid at a rate of 1 g per day is beneficial in increasing the weight of calves.