Effects of Juniper tar (Juniperus oxycedrus) aromatic water supplemented to whole milk on oxidative stress, immune response, intestinal flora, and kidney-urinary system of suckling Holstein calves

Abstract

Abstract Digestive system and respiratory tract diseases, which are frequently seen in calves during the suckling period, suppress the development of the calves or cause deaths and great economic losses. In the present study, it was investigated whether Juniper aromatic water (JOW) would be suitable for promoting the health of suckling Holstein calves. Sixteen newborn calves (n = 4, in each group) were randomly selected and assigned to the following four treatments; G1: control group, fed with whole milk (WM) and calf starter (CS), G2: fed with 1.25% JAW supplemented WM and CS, G3: fed with 2.5% JAW supplemented WM and CS, G4: fed with 5% JAW supplemented WM and CS. The supplementation of JAW significantly reduced the incidences of digestive system and respiratory tract diseases in calves. The supplementation of JAW suppressed the growth of intestinal pathogenic bacteria at weaning age but did not affect the growth of lactic acid bacteria. It did not affect the urinary and kidney systems of the calves. JAW decreased oxidative stress concentrations while a non-significant increase occurred in antioxidant defence mechanism enzymes. It showed a significant increase in Immunoglobulin A, G, and M. The best result was observed in the supplementation of 1.25% JAW. The finding of the study showed that JAW, a by-product, can be used safely in the health rearing of calves.