Boric Acid in Milk Replacer as a Health and Growth Booster for Young Mammals

Jenn Hoskins
18th May, 2024

Boric Acid in Milk Replacer as a Health and Growth Booster for Young Mammals

Image Source: Emine Berre Tolun (photographer)

Key Findings

  • The study was conducted by researchers from Ataturk University on 60 lambs during the suckling period
  • Lambs supplemented with boric acid showed higher weight gain and better feed conversion ratios, indicating improved growth efficiency
  • Boric acid supplementation increased beneficial bacteria in the lambs' intestines, enhancing overall health and metabolism
  • The study found a decrease in the expression of genes associated with inflammation, suggesting boric acid may reduce inflammation and improve immune response
Meeting the food demands of a growing global population while staying within planetary boundaries is a significant challenge. One particular issue is sustainably producing animal-sourced foods while ensuring sufficient protein intake for a healthy diet[2]. A recent study by researchers from Ataturk University aimed to explore a potential solution by investigating the effects of boric acid supplementation in the milk replacer of lambs during the suckling period[1]. In this study, 60 lambs, each 4 days old, were randomly assigned to one of four groups, receiving different levels of boric acid (0, 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg body weight) in their milk replacer for 57 days. The study aimed to assess the impact of boric acid on performance, biochemical parameters, the antioxidant system, fecal culture, and gene expression related to the immune system. The results were promising. Lambs supplemented with boric acid showed higher weight gain and better feed conversion ratios, indicating improved growth efficiency. Additionally, boric acid supplementation led to a quadratic increase in serum triglyceride, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, serum antioxidant activity, and oxidative stress biomarkers. This suggests that boric acid positively influences the biochemical parameters and antioxidant system of the lambs. Interestingly, the study also found that boric acid supplementation affected the intestinal flora by increasing beneficial bacteria, which plays a crucial role in the overall health and metabolism of the animals. This aligns with previous findings where inoculation with adult goat ruminal fluid improved gut microbiota and health in lambs[3]. The study further noted a decrease in the expression of genes associated with inflammation and immune responses, such as IL1β, IL10, iNOS, NF-kB, and TNF-α. This reduction indicates that boric acid may have a modulating effect on the immune system, potentially reducing inflammation and improving overall health. The findings from this study are significant as they suggest that boric acid can be a beneficial supplement in the diet of suckling lambs, improving growth performance and health. This is particularly relevant in the context of climate change, which poses additional challenges to livestock productivity through heat stress and emerging diseases[4]. By improving the health and growth of lambs, boric acid supplementation could help mitigate some of these challenges, contributing to more sustainable livestock production systems. In conclusion, the study by Ataturk University highlights the potential of boric acid supplementation in enhancing the growth and health of suckling lambs. This approach could be part of a broader strategy to sustainably meet the increasing demand for animal-sourced foods while addressing the challenges posed by climate change and ensuring the well-being of livestock.

AgricultureHealthAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) Boric Acid in Milk Replacer as a Health Enhancer and Growth Promoter for Lambs in the Suckling Period

Published 17th May, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-024-04214-4

Related Studies

2) Review: Trends for meat, milk and egg consumption for the next decades and the role played by livestock systems in the global production of proteins.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2021.100287

3) Effects of inoculation with active microorganisms derived from adult goats on growth performance, gut microbiota and serum metabolome in newborn lambs.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1128271

4) The impact of heat stress on the immune system in dairy cattle: A review.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2019.08.011


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