Effect of nanomicelles of Thymus vulgaris, Carum copticum, Mentha longifolia, and Lavandula angustifolia essential oils on the performance and health status of suckling calves

This study investigated the effects of nanomicelles of four essential oils on functional and antioxidant parameters of 48 male Holstein newborn calves. The calves were assigned to six groups and monitored over a 46-day period. The groups included one control group and five treatment groups, each receiving 400 mg of a specific nanomicellized essential oil (NEO) – Thymus vulgaris (TNEO), Carum copticum (CNEO), Mentha longifolia (MNEO), Lavandula angustifolia (LNEO) – or a blend of all four (BNEO), administered daily via 8 ml of milk emulsion. No significant differences in average daily weight gain (ADG) were observed among the groups during days 0-14 and 14-32. However, during days 32-46, calves supplemented with TNEO and LNEO showed significantly higher ADG (P=0.004). Calves receiving LNEO exhibited significantly higher blood concentrations of total protein (P=0.022) and albumin (P=0.046) compared to both the control and other treatment groups. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were lower in the TNEO, LNEO, MNEO, and BNEO groups compared to the control (P=0.012). Blood glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (P=0.009) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P=0.001) activities were elevated in the TNEO and BNEO groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were reduced in all NEO-supplemented groups, with the lowest levels observed in the TNEO group (P=0.009). Although the control group exhibited the lowest total antioxidant capacity (TAC), no significant differences were detected among the NEO-treated groups. Overall, these findings suggest that nanomicellized essential oils of Lavandula angustifolia and Thymus vulgaris confer the most notable benefits to suckling calves, enhancing weight gain, feed consumption, blood parameters, and oxidative stress markers.