Effect of calcium butyrate supplement on blood profile and growth rate in starter pigs

The use of butyric acid salts in animal husbandry is quite widespread, particularly in improving the condition of the intestines in calves, chickens, and piglets. At the same time, among the various forms of butyrates, the effect of calcium butyrate on blood parameters and the productivity of starter pigs during the growing period has not been fully studied. The aim of the work was to study the effect of the feed additive calcium butyrate on blood parameters and weight gain of piglets during the starter period. The study was conducted in a typical pig farm on hybrid piglets obtained from F1 sows (large white X landrace) and terminal line meat boars. Clinically healthy animals aged 50 days were selected for the study. According to the principle analogs, 2 groups of 60 piglets each were formed. The control group received a standard diet, the experimental group received a standard diet with the addition of calcium butyrate (TM GLOBAMAX B 700, Global Nutrition, France) at the rate of 1.5 kg per 1 ton of feed. The animals were kept in the same conditions. The duration of feeding was 33 days. After the end of the experimental period, morphological blood parameters were examined on a hematological analyzer Micro CC-20 Plus (High technology, USA). The leukogram was calculated in blood smears stained according to Pappenheim. Biochemical parameters were determined in blood serum on an automatic analyzer BioSystems BA 400 (Spain). Determination of the level of vitamins A and E in blood serum was carried by HPLC. During the period of feeding the supplement, an analysis of animal morbidity was carried out. Weight gains were assessed based on the results of weighing animals in both groups. It was established that the addition of calcium butyrate did not affect the morphological composition of the blood. The urea content in the experimental group of animals increased by 16.2 % compared to the control, while the level of inorganic phosphorus decreased by 10.2 %. At the same time, an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity was observed by 17.2 % and a decrease in creatine kinase activity by 21.2 %. The average daily gains in the experimental animals were 4.88 % higher than in the control, while feed consumption did not differ significantly. Thus, the addition of calcium butyrate affected the intensity of absorption of nutrients in the diet, which led to an increase in body weight gains in piglets. At the same time, the frequency of nonspecific digestive disorders was reduced under the action of the additive.