Evaluation of effects of OmniGen-AF in calves in a cold environment

Abstract

　Few studies have investigated how the administration of a yeast cell wall feed supplement affects weight gain and blood biochemical profiles in calves. In this study, OmniGen-AF（Bayer Japan, Tokyo）, a yeast cell wall feed supplement, was administered to calves and investigated for its anti-stress effects at two dairy farms. Body weight was measured at the start and the end of the study, and blood samples were collected at four different time points for blood biochemical analysis. A thermometer was installed on each farm to calculate the temperature-humidity index（THI）. The results showed no significant difference in weight gain between the treated test group and the untreated control group. For blood biochemical parameters, the test group showed significantly higher serum vitamin A and albumin at the last sampling point compared to that in the control group. Low serum vitamin A has been associated with cold and transportation stress, which can lead to increased mortality rates in calves. OmniGen-AF may help to reduce the risk of mortality by suppressing cold stress and preventing low serum vitamin A in calves.