Effect Of Galactooligosaccharide On Faecal Microflora And Immune Function In Yanbian Yellow Calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate effect of galactooligosaccharide (GOS) suplymentation on Faecal Microflora and Immune responses in Yanbian calves.Twelve new born Yanbian calves were blocked by BW and sex, and randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments in a 4 weeks study. The treatments consisted of a negative control, L1, H and L2. Group Ll(low dose group 1, three calves daily feed lOg GOS from Od to 28d), group H (high dose group, three calves daily feed 15g GOS from Od to 28d), Group L2(low dose group 2, three calves daily feed 10g GOS from 7d to 28d).Calves'Red blood cell and its components showed some changes during the 4 weeks after birth. GOS-fed calves had a lower RBC compared to control, and appeared significant difference in group L1 at 14d (p<0.05). Similarly, HGB of group L1 was also the lowest at 14d (p<0.05). MCV, with the converse tend to RBC and HGB, showed an increasing process during the 4-week-study, and which was more obvious in control and group L1 (p<0.05). All these provide the possibility of significantly high changes of MCHC between treatments and control at the end of the study (p<0.05).There was no significant effect of GOS supplementation on AST and BUN due to treatment or due to period. There was an significant effect (p<0.05) of GOS supplementation on total protein in group H and L1 on d 14.It is clear that with advancement of day's age, WBC, LYM count and LYM ratio were increasing, and PLT was decreasing. GOS-fed influenced LYM number compare to control, all the treatments showed higher numbers (p<0.05). However, this result did not impact the ratio of LYM after 4 weeks, which may due to the calves'growth.Escherichia coli results showed:the amount of control showed an steady number throughout the experiment period, no significant change appeared as grow; all the treatment groups was higher in compare to the control on 14d,21d and 28d, which means the adding of GOS stimulated the reproduction of Escherichia coli at different levels; a peak appears at 21 d in every experiment group, and the differences were statistically significant compare to control(P<0.05); after four-weeks experiment, group L2 maintein the lowest level of Escherichia coli.Concentration of control shows an normal law of Bifidobacter in faecal with the development of calves'digestive tract, which is changing from 7 to 10 unit throughout the first month after born, and increased significantly from 21 d compare to that of the first sampling(P< 0.05). Bifidobacteria in faecal of all treatment groups was significantly increased compare to control at every investigation(P<0.05). The better level of supplementation is 10g/h·d, different starting day of feeding did not affect the fainnal stable level of Bifidobacteri.Western blooting demonstrated a significant increase in the conceration of IgG in all treatments compare to control at 14d, and only in group L1 and H at 28d(P<0.05). After 4-week-study, group L1 showed the highest level of IgG.The RT-PCR results of the current research revealed that IL-2 mRNA abundance appeared to increase as grow. The adding of GOS had an stimulate effect on IL-2 mRNA expression. All the result of treatments was higher than that of control at any sampling. The expression of IL-2 in Group L1 was significantly higher than anyother group both throughout the study period(P<0.05).TAOC was significantly increased by the feeding of GOS compare to control (P< 0.05), and the group L2 was the highest on both 14d and 28d. SOD specific activity of Control was not detected during the 4 weeks after born, and all the treatments showed an significant difference compare to control(P<0.05). Feeding of GOS increased the GSH-TX, but only significantly affected it in group L1 on 14d(P<0.05).Three important conclusions from the research were below:1. Quantification results of faecal microorganisms proved that galactooligosaccharide can be fermented as a substrate by both Escherichia coli and Bifidobacter.2. Immunity of Yanbian Yellow Calves was enhanced by galactooligosaccharide feeding, according to the IgG content and IL-2 mRNA expression, oxidation resistance and activity of serum.3. The method, supply 10g/h·d of galactooligosaccharide since birth, was proper for using in Yanbian Yellow Calves.