Sodium Butyrate Supplementation in Whole Milk Modulates the Gastrointestinal Microbiota Without Altering the Resistome and Virulome in Preweaned Calves.

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effects of supplementing whole milk (WM) with sodium butyrate (SB) on the gastrointestinal microbiota of preweaned calves. Twelve newborn Holstein calves (4 days old, 39.21 ± 1.45 kg) were randomly assigned into one of two dietary treatments: (1) WM without SB (CON) and (2) WM supplemented with SB (8.8 g/d; SB). At 74 days of age, all calves were slaughtered to collect ruminal and cecal digesta. Metagenomic analysis was used to characterize the microbial composition, virulence factor genes (VFGs), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). SB supplementation altered the ruminal microbial composition and increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Actinobacteria, Bifidobacterium, and Olsenella (p < 0.05). Although SB did not

SUBMITTER: Xing L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12566572 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature