Effects of dandelion extract on growth performance,diarrhea rate,and intestinal health of calves

ZHANG Zhaoxing; WANG Yanan; HAN Ping; LI Xiaodong; ZHOU Yinghao; MAO Sen; GUO Jianjun

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2025.02.007

Abstract：The study aimed to investigate the effects of dandelion extract on the growth performance,diarrhea rate,and intestinal health of calves.A total of 40 healthy calves at five days of age were selected and randomly divided into four groups,with 10 replicates per group and one calf per replicate.The control group was fed a basal diet,while the experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.2%,0.4%,and 0.8%dandelion extract,respectively.The trial included a one-week pre-experimental period and an eight-week formal experimental period.The results showed that dandelion extract had no significant effect on the average daily feed intake of calves(P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the final body weight of calves in the 0.4%dandelion extract group increased by 3.08%(P＜0.05),and the average daily gain increased by 8.45%(P＜0.05).The diarrhea rate of calves in the 0.2%,0.4%,and 0.8%dandelion extract groups was significantly reduced(P＜0.05),and the fecal scores of calves in the 0.4%and 0.8%dandelion extract groups was significantly lower(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the number of Lactobacillus and Bacillus in the intestines of calves in the 0.4%and 0.8%dandelion extract groups were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the number of Bifidobacteria in the intestines of calves in the 0.4%dandelion extract group was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The number of E.coli in the intestines of calves in the 0.2%,0.4%,and 0.8%dandelion extract groups was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Dandelion extract had no significant effect on the total intestinal bacteria and Prevotella ruminicola numbers in calves(P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the activity of aspartate aminotransferase,cholesterol,and urea nitrogen in the serum of calves in the 0.4%dandelion extract group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),while the total protein level was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The globulin level in the serum of calves in the 0.4%and 0.8%dandelion extract groups was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The study indicates that adding 0.4%dandelion extract to the diet of calves can improve growth performance,reduce the diarrhea rate and fecal score,increase the number of beneficial intestinal bacteria,reduce the number of harmful bacteria,and improve overall health.