Active dry yeast supplementation improves the growth performance, rumen fermentation, and immune response of weaned beef calves

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the potential benefits of active dry yeast (ADY) on the growth performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and serum parameters of weaned beef calves. Thirty Simmental crossbred male calves (body weight = 86.47 ± 4.41 kg and 70 ± 4 d of age) were randomly divided into 2 groups: control (CON) (fed basal ration) and ADY (fed basal ration and 5 g/d ADY per calf). The dietary concentrate-to-roughage ratio was 35:65. All the calves were regularly provided rations 3 times a day at 07:00, 13:00, and 19:00 and had free access to water. The experiment lasted for 60 d. The average daily gain of ADY group was higher (P = 0.007) than that of the CON group, and the ratio of feed intake to average daily gain in the ADY group was reduced (P = 0.022) as compared to the CON group. The concentration of ruminal ammonia-N was higher (P = 0.023) in the CON group than that in the ADY group, but an opposite trend of microbial protein was found between the 2 groups. Also, the ruminal concentrations of propionate and butyrate were higher (P < 0.05) in the ADY group than those in the CON group. Calves fed ADY exhibited higher (P < 0.05) crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Supplementation of ADY increased (P < 0.05) the contents of glucose, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin M, and interleukin 10 in the serum of calves, but an opposite trend was observed in malondialdehyde, interleukin 1 beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha contents between the 2 groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with ADY could improve the growth performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant ability, and immune response of weaned beef calves.