Regulation of the gastrointestinal microbiome and body metabolism in calves

Relevance. The dietary supplements containing active metabolites of a consortium of probiotic microorganisms are important in regulating the formation and colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. Methods . The object of the research was calves 3–90 days old. They received a liquid biologically active additive, which includes the following components: extract of sprouted naked oats — 90%; molasses beetroot — 10%; metabolites of probiotic microorganisms B. bifidum strain — 1; L. plantarum for the formation of the microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract (3–42 days) and B. subtilis strain DSM-32424 for regulation calves’ body metabolism (42–90 days). Results. In the regulation of the microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract of calves (3–42 days), the determining factor is the use of probiotic microorganisms B. bifidum strain — 1, L. plantarum in a feed additive. The study found that before the start of the experiment, the number of bifidobacteria in the intestines of calves of the two groups was 3.1 × 10 6 CFU/g, lactobacilli — 3.5 × 10 5 CFU/g. The dynamics of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the control and experimental groups has a positive tendency to increase with the age periods of calves. In the experimental group of calves, the indicators of the number of lactoand bifidobacteria on day 42 were: Lactobacillus spp. — 4.2 × 10 9 CFU/g; Bifidobacterium spp. — 3.2 × 10 9 CFU/g. The regulation of metabolism is associated with the additional intake of protein-forming amino acids into the body, which positively affect metabolism and increase animal body weight gain. In calves from the 3rd to the 42 nd day of life, who received dietary supplement 1 for the formation of the microbiome, the average daily weight gain was significantly higher — by 21.70%. In calves that received dietary supplements 2 for metabolic correction from day 42 to day 90, the average daily weight gain was significantly higher — by 16.58%.