Evaluating oxidative stress and immune response by adding probiotic and chromium methionine during weaning period in dairy calves

The weaning of dairy calves is commonly associated with stress. Recent studies focused on supplementation that could be effective during stress. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of probiotics and chromium methionine on immune response in dairy calves during weaning. Twenty-eight female dairy Holstein calves with a bodyweight of 93.46 kg 11.82 (mean SD) were randomly assigned to one of four experimental treatments ( n = 7) in a completely randomized design (21 days before the weaning date to 21 days after the weaning date). The experimental groups consists of the group that did not supplement with additives (control), the group that supplemented with probiotic (Pro), the group that supplemented with chromium methionine (Cr-Meth), and the group that supplemented with probiotic and Cr-Meth (Pro + Cr-Meth). Serum amyloid A, interleukin-1β, ferritin, serum cortisol, adenosine deaminase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde, and globulin levels were measured in this study. Results show that cortisol, interleukin-1β, serum amyloid A, adenosine deaminase, and ferritin were significantly higher in the controls compared to the experimental groups. In the control group, malondialdehyde levels were slightly higher. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the controls was significantly lower. The mean globulin concentration was lowest in the probiotic + Cr-Met group. Stress indicators such as cortisol, interleukin-1, serum amyloid A, adenosine deaminase, and ferritin were also found to be higher in the control group, while TAC, an oxidative stress indicator, was the lowest. We can anticipate that adding probiotics and chromium methionine to the diet can affect the immune system; also we suggest that feeding these additions together will have a greater impact on the immune system, but additional research is needed to understand how these additives might affect the immune system.