Effect of probiotics and selenium-containing preparations on nonspecific resistance of calves

Abstract

Black-and-white Holstein calves were studied. 3 experimental groups were formed: they included calves of two weeks of age, 10 animals each. The calves of the first group received “Intestevit” probiotic with milk at the rate of 3 doses per day for 1 animal for 15 days. The second group of calves, in addition to “Intestevit” preparation, also received selenium-containing preparation “Selen Plex™” at a dose of 1 mg/kg. The third group was the control group. Blood for testing was taken from the tail vein before the morning feeding and the start of preparation feeding, 30 and 60 days after the use of these preparations. Feeding “Intestevit” preparation to calves from 15 days of age for 60 days increases the following indicators relative to the control group: total immunoglobulins by 8.4%; Leukocyte phagocytic activity (LPA) - 10.5%; serum lysozyme activity (SLA) - 20.1%; serum bactericidal activity (SBA) - 4.6%; T-lymphocytes (absolute content) - 14.1%; B-lymphocytes (absolute content) - 1.5%. Feeding “Intestevit + Selen Plex™” complex preparation to calves from 15 days of age for 60 days increases the following indicators relative to the control group: total immunoglobulins by 11.7%; LPA - 12.1%; SLA - 15.8%; SBA - 7.6%; T-lymphocytes (absolute content) - 17.8%; B-lymphocytes (absolute content) - 2.2%.