Finding solutions to alleviate gastrointestinal health in dairy cows and calves

加拿大乳制品行业为国内生产总值贡献了近200亿美元，是该国最大的农业部门之一。鉴于其贡献和重要性，乳制品行业必须找到危及动物健康，福利和生产力的问题的解决方案。围产期奶牛和断奶前小牛的一个共同问题是胃肠道（GIT）屏障功能障碍和炎症增加，与高发病率和生产力下降相关，对动物福利和农场盈利能力产生负面影响。益生菌已成功用于治疗和预防人类GIT相关疾病。在单胃动物中，补充益生菌酵母酿酒酵母变种。布拉氏菌CNCM I-1079（SCB）已显示调节免疫受损受试者的GIT渗透性、微生物群和免疫应答，有效地改善GIT功能、健康和生产力。以前的研究主要集中在奶牛的饲料摄入量，饲料的消化率，并在建立泌乳生产反应的评估酵母补充。然而，有一个研究评估SCB对GIT渗透性和炎症围产期奶牛和断奶前小牛的影响很少。因此，本研究项目的总体目标是评估SCB补充剂作为一种创新的解决方案，以缓解奶牛和小牛过渡期和断奶前的GIT屏障功能障碍和炎症。本研究的结果将确定非抗菌替代品的有效性，以提高奶牛和断奶前犊牛的健康，福利和性能。因此，该提案将减少乳制品行业对抗菌处理的依赖，从而符合市场和消费者的需求，以改善动物健康，福利和食品安全。

The Canadian dairy industry contributes almost $20 billion to the gross domestic product, constituting one of the country's largest agricultural sectors. Given its contribution and significance, it is critical that the dairy industry find solutions to issues that jeopardize animal health, welfare, and productivity. One common concern among periparturient dairy cows and preweaning calves is increased gastrointestinal (GIT) barrier dysfunction and inflammation, associated with high morbidity and decreased productivity, negatively impacting animal welfare and farm profitability. Probiotics have been successfully used to treat and prevent GIT-related disorders in humans. In monogastric animals, supplementation of the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CNCM I-1079 (SCB) has been shown to modulate GIT permeability, microbiota, and immune response of immune-compromised subjects, effectively improving GIT function, health, and productivity. Previous studies evaluating yeast supplementation in dairy cows focused mainly on feed intake, digestibility of feeds, and production responses in established lactation. However, there is a paucity of studies assessing the effects of SCB on GIT permeability and inflammation of periparturient cows and preweaning calves. Therefore, the overall objective of this research project is to evaluate SCB supplementation as an innovative solution to alleviate GIT barrier dysfunction and inflammation during the transition and preweaning periods of dairy cows and calves. The outcomes of this research will determine the efficacy of a nonantimicrobial alternative to enhance the health, welfare, and performance of dairy cows and preweaning calves. As such, this proposal will reduce the dairy industry's reliance on antimicrobial treatments, thus aligning with the market and consumer demands to improve animal health, welfare, and food safety.