Influence of Pantothenic Acid on Intestinal Flora in Calves

Abstract

A daily dose of 1g of a pantothenic acid preparation per head, which contained 100mg/g of pantothenic acid, was added to the milkreplacer and given continually to suckling male calves during a period from 10-15 days of age to weaning.
In control groups, bifidobacteria, Clostridium perfringens, lactobacilli, enterobacteriaceae and streptococci decreased with the lapse of time. In the treated groups, however, the decreasing tendency of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli was noticed significantly late, C. perfringens and staphylococci decreased in frequency of appearance, and the ratio of dry matter of feces increased to suppress the occurrence of diarrhea slightly.
These results indicated that the administration of pantothenic acid to calves during the nursing period suppressed the occurrence of diarrhea and validly controled the balance of the intestinal flora.