EFFECTS OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA (LAB) SUPPLEMENT ON THE GROWTH RATE AND ELIMINATION OF ENTEROPATHOGENIC BACTERIA IN CALVES

Diarrhea-producing enteropathogenic bacteria injections in calves continue to be a major world-wide problem. In particular neonatal calf diarrhea remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in young calves. Traditionally, formulated antibiotics have been used as preventive treatment. However; consumer concern about antibiotic resistance has increased and interest in alternative supplements has grown. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) supplement, which includes Lactobacillus acidophilus CBT, SAFELAC, and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum SPMI 204, on the growth rate and elimination of enteropathogenic bacteria in calves. First, 12 calves were assigned to one of three groups for 5 months: control (no additive), treatment 1 (4 g LAB), and treatment 2 (8 g LAB). We recorded body weight once a month, and collected and measured fecal samples from calves after LAB treatment to measure enteropathogenic bacteria counts. We also measured fecal samples from 2 calves before and after 1-week LAB treatment. LAB treatment increased body weight, particularly for treatment 2 compared to control (P = 0.048). The fecal enteropathogenic bacteria counts were decreased by LAB treatment, but did not affect LAB treatment volume. In vitro, LAB also inhibited enteropathogenic bacterial strains growth in co-culture experiment. Therefore, these results indicate that LAB treatment can improve the health of calves.