Effects of fermented goji residue on growth performance,hormone levels,immunity,and serum biochemical indicators in calves

JIANG Biwei; MA Siyao; LIU Zhiwei; YANG Ning; SU Tao; ZHOU Lijuan

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2026.01.003

Abstract：This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of fermented goji residue on the growth performance,immunity,and serum biochemical indicators in calves.Forty-eight healthy Holstein calves with similar body weights were selected and randomly divided into four groups,with three replicates per group and four calves per replicate.Control group was fed a basal diet,while the experimental groups received the basal diet supplemented with 2.5％(goji residue group 1),5.0％(goji residue group 2),and 10.0％(goji residue group 3)fermented goji berry residue,respectively.The pre-trial period was seven days,and the formal experimental period was 60 days.The results showed that compared with the control group,goji residue group 2 had a significant increase in average daily gain by 14.13％(P＜0.05),a significant reduction in the feed-to-gain ratio by 11.85％(P＜0.05),and a significant decrease in the diarrhea rate by 28.57％(P＜0.05).Goji residue group 2 also showed significant increases in insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1),growth hormone(GH),and thyroxine(T4)concentrations(P＜0.05).The content of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)in the serum of the goji residue group 2 and group 3 was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),while the content of interleukin-10(IL-10)was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The concentrations of interleukin-2(IL-2)and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)in the serum of the goji residue group 2 were significantly increased(P＜0.05),the content of interleukin-6(IL-6)in the serum of the goji residue group 1 and group 2 was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The content of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the serum of each experimental group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The content of immunoglobulin G(IgG)in the serum of the goji residue group 2 was significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the content of immunoglobulin M(IgM)in the serum of the goji residue group 1 and group 2 was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The content of white blood cells(ALB)in the serum of goji residue group 2 was significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the concentrations of urea nitrogen(BUN)and cholesterol(TC)were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The activity of aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in each experimental group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in goji residue group 2 and group 3 was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The study shows that fermented goji residue can promote the secretion of growth hormone,enhance immune function,regulate serum biochemical indicators,and improve the growth performance of calves.Considering all factors comprehensively,the appropriate addition level of fermented goji residue is 5.0％.