Possibilities of use of food supplements in prevention and health care calves

The basis for a successful cattle production is the proper care taking of pregnant cows as well as a sufficient care taking of the new-born calves. During the last years, a big attention has been given to this area because the higher farming quality the higher economic benefits and the lower losses in meat and milk yield will be respectively. For this reason, an influence of different feed supplements (Lactovita, Biopolym, Homeopathics) on haematological and biochemical parameters as well as an effect on weight gain and amounts of microorganisms in new-born calves has been studied. The specific aim of this thesis is to evaluate an influence of these supplements on incidences of diarrhea, microbial activity and to assess its effect on selected haematological and biochemical blood parameters. Three experimental and one control group (ten calves per each) were set up in the chosen company. The experimental groups had a modified feeding ratio between the first and the fourth week of life the calves received either colostrum + 5ml "PVB" homeopathic or colostrum + 5 ml "Biopolym" prebiotics or colostrum + 1 pill of "Lactovita", while the control group received colostrum without supplement. The first day after birth, a blood sample and a microbial smear sample were taken. Second sample collection was carried out in the fourth week of life. The calves were weighed every week. Obtained data were processed graphically and in tables and were statistically evaluated. The influence of mentioned feed additives on weight gain and diarrhea occurrence was evaluated from the obtained results. The most of haematological and biochemical parameters have approximately the same values compared to those found by other authors. There were no significant differences in monitored parameters in the experimental groups compared to the control group. Furthermore, no influence was found on blood parameters. Only in case of zinc a significant difference was found between treated groups and control (p=0,0012). Changes between the treated groups (independently on control) were observed in haematocrit, total protein content, cholesterol, zinc and copper. Non-significant differences between the tested groups and control were found in haemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes, glycaemia, urea, LF, GMT, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. No impact of tested supplements was found on microbial composition. A positive effect of Lactovita, Biopolym and Homeopathic compared to the control group was found in case of weight gain. The obtained results show some positive trends which should be a subject for further research, where total amount of calves per groups is increased to reduce variability