Volume: 57 Issue: 1
Year: 2026, Page: 55-60, Doi: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2026.57.1.55-60
Received: Sept. 11, 2025 Accepted: Nov. 12, 2025 Published: March 31, 2026
The present study evaluated the effect of supplementation of emulsifier and probiotic supplement with sodium butyrate in milk replacer on haircoat condition and blood biochemical profile in pre-ruminant crossbred calves. Twelve healthy calves, seven days old, were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (n = 6) for a 90-day feeding trial following step-down feeding regimen. The T1 group received milk replacer containing lysolecithin at 4g/calf/day and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (1010 CFU) at 1g/calf /day, while the T2 group was provided the same diet with sodium butyrate at 2 g/calf/ day. Calf starter and green fodder were offered ad libitum to all animals. Alopecia was assessed weekly using a 0–3 point scoring scale and blood biochemical indices including haemoglobin, serum glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, A:G ratio, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus were measured at the end of the trial. Results showed that alopecia was evident in both groups between the 2nd and 6th weeks, but scores were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in T1 calves during the 3rd, 4th, and 5th weeks, indicating more severe hair loss. Supplementation of emulsifier and probiotic feed additive with sodium butyrate reduced the severity of alopecia, suggesting its role in improving nutrient absorption and haircoat. All measured blood biochemical parameters remained within the normal physiological range, with no significant differences between groups. These findings indicated that sodium butyrate supplementation in milk replacer in addition to probiotic supplement and emulsifier supported normal metabolic function while improving hair coat condition in preruminant crossbred calves.
Keywords: Milk replacer, alopecia, lysolecithin, probiotic, sodium butyrate
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© 2026 Megha et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.