Exploring the Benefits of Jerusalem Artichoke Tubers as a Prebiotic Supplement: Effects on Growth Performance, Rumen Environment and Serum Acute-Phase Proteins in Weaned Crossbred Calves.

Recognizing the critical importance of nutritional strategies during the crucial preweaning phase, our investigation focuses on the impact of supplementing Jerusalem artichoke tubers as a prebiotic, shedding light on its potential to drive optimal growth, rumen health and immunity of calves. Twenty-four 15-day-old calves, with an average body weight of 23.64 ± 0.57 kg, were randomly assigned to four groups. Group I served as the control (CON), receiving the basal diet (calf starter and green fodder) without any supplementation. The experimental groups, namely JAP 1, JAP 2 and JAP 3, received the basal diet supplemented with Jerusalem artichoke powder (JAP) at graded levels of 1%, 2% and 3%, respectively, for 60 days. The feeding trial continued for another 60 days, and we evaluated their growth performance, rumen fermentation, microbial enzymes and protozoa population at 120 days. Further, acute phase proteins like serum amyloid A, haptoglobin and fibrinogen were assessed at monthly intervals. The results demonstrated that calves receiving JAP exhibited improvements (p < 0.05) in weight gain, particularly in the JAP 3 group, indicating enhanced nutrient absorption during this critical preweaning period. Importantly, rumen pH remained stable (p > 0.05), while concentrations of propionate and butyrate increased significantly (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the rise (p < 0.05) in ruminal protease activity indicated enhanced protein degradation without disrupting essential rumen functions, including protozoan populations. Notably, acute phase proteins remained stable (p > 0.05), indicating a balanced inflammatory response. These findings highlight the promising potential of Jerusalem artichoke tuber as a natural prebiotic underscoring its efficacy when administered during the critical preweaning phase, strategically capitalizing on the developmental window before complete rumen maturation, thereby enhancing calf growth, reducing diarrhoea incidence, promoting rumen health and contributing to overall well-being.