Micellized conjugated linoleic acid as an immune modifier feed additive for suckling calves

Abstract

This study was attempted to assess the effects of micellized conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as a feed additive for suckling calves on their growth performance and blood metabolic, oxidative and immune parameters. Forty-eight Holstein calves were divided among four experimental groups (12 calves/treatment) including: 1) calves with no CLA supplementation (CON), 2) calves supplemented with 1 gr CLA/d as micellized form by dissolving 5 mL/d of a CLA contained emulsion in milk (CLA1), 3) calves supplemented with 2 gr CLA/d as micellized form by dissolving 10 mL/d of a CLA contained emulsion in milk (CLA2) and 4) calves supplemented with 3 gr CLA/d as micellized form by dissolving 15 mL/d of a CLA contained emulsion in milk (CLA3). Calves in the CON group received 10 mL of the emulsion medium with no CLA. Feeding micellized CLA via whole milk resulted in a linear increase in blood concentration of glucose on d 40 (P=0.04), and total protein (P