Journals / Kocatepe Veteriner Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 19 Sayı: 2

Effects of Lauric Acid Supplementation in Milk on Performance and Some Blood Parameters of Newborn Calves

Yenidoğan Buzağılarda İçme Sütüne İlave Edilen Laurik Asitin Performans ve Bazı Kan Parametreleri Üzerine Etkileri

Cangir Uyarlar(AFYON KOCATEPE ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-7803-2454
Zekiye Erdoğan(AFYON KOCATEPE ÜNİVERSİTESİ, VETERİNER FAKÜLTESİ)0009-0006-6740-7819
İsmail Bayram(AFYON KOCATEPE UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-5090-7474
Pages
145–157
Publication Date
2026-06-15
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

As a result, supplementing calves’ milk with lauric acid reduced disease incidence but had no significant effect on performance or metabolism.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines the prebiotic benefits of lauric acid in the diets of newborn calves.
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Key Findings & Data:The trial concluded on the 60th day of the weaning period.
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Conclusion & Impact:As a result, supplementing calves’ milk with lauric acid reduced disease incidence but had no significant effect on performance or metabolism.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Buazğı · Laurik acid · Metabolizma

Abstract

This study examines the prebiotic benefits of lauric acid in the diets of newborn calves. Thirty female Holstein calves were divided into three groups: The Control (C) group received bulk tank milk; the Positive Control (PC) group was given soybean oil mixed with milk; and the Trial (T) group was given milk supplemented with lauric acid. The groups were fed the same basal calf starter feed. The trial concluded on the 60th day of the weaning period. The study monitored calf performance and blood metabolic markers on days 3, 7, 15, 30, 45, and 60 after birth. Lauric acid supplementation did not significantly influence calves' initial feed intake, body weight gain, or blood parameters. Although the incidence of diseases in the lauric acid group was not statistically significant, it was numerically lower than in the other groups and was comparable to them (number of cases; 3, 6, 6; T, PC, C, respectively). Furthermore, a comparison was made between all animals affected by the disorders and those who had never encountered any health issues in relation to the performance and blood parameters. The blood glucose level of the calf recovered from illness (CRI) was markedly lower (p<0.001), whereas Triglyceride (p<0.001), Total cholesterol (p<0.1), Haptoglobin (p<0.001), and Serum amyloid A (p<0.001) levels were considerably elevated. The feed intake and live weight gains of sick calves were markedly lower than those of healthy calves (p<0.001). As a result, supplementing calves’ milk with lauric acid reduced disease incidence but had no significant effect on performance or metabolism.

Özet

Bu çalışma, yeni doğan buzağıların rasyonlarındaki laurik asidin prebiyotik faydalarını incelemek amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Otuz dişi Holstein buzağı üç gruba ayrıldı: Kontrol grubuna tank sütü, Pozitif Kontrol grubuna süt ile karıştırılmış soya fasulyesi yağı ve deneme grubuna laurik asit ilave edilmiş süt verildi. Tüm gruplar standart buzağı başlangıç yemi ile beslendi. Deneme, sütten kesimin 60. gününde sona erdi. Çalışmada buzağı performansı ve doğumdan sonraki 3, 7, 15, 30, 45 ve 60. günlerde kanda metabolik parametreleri incelendi. Laurik asit ilavesi buzağı başlangıç yemi tüketimi, canlı ağırlık artışı, hastalık insidensi ve kan parametrelerine istatiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde etki etmemiştir. Ancak laurik asit verilen grupta hastalık insidensi istatiksel olarak anlamlı olmasa da rakamsal olarak diğer gruplardan az olup onların yarısı kadardır (vaka sayıları U, PK, K gruplarında sırasıyla; 3, 6, 6’dır). Ayrıca çalışmada ayırt etmeksizin hastalık geçirmiş tüm hayvanlar ile sağlık açısından hiç problem yaşamamış hayvanlarda gerek kan parametreleri gerekse performans yönünden karşılaştırılmıştır. Hastalık geçirmiş buzağıların (HGB) kanda glukoz seviyesi önemli düzeyde düşük (p< 0,001); Trigliserit, Total kolesterol, Haptoglobin ve Serum amiloid A seviyeleri ise önemli düzeyde yüksek (p<0,001) bulunmuştur. Ayrıca hastalık geçiren buzağıların yem tüketimleri ve canlı ağırlık artışları sağlıklı buzağılardan önemli düzeyde düşük (p<0,001) bulunmuştur. Sonuç olarak, süte ilaveten laurik asitin buzağılara içirilmesinin performans ve metabolizma parametreleri üzerine önemli bir etkisi olmamasına rağmen hastalık insidensini düşürdüğü kanısına varılmıştır.

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Cite This Article

Uyarlar, C., Erdoğan, Z., Bayram, İ. (2026). Effects of Lauric Acid Supplementation in Milk on Performance and Some Blood Parameters of Newborn Calves. Kocatepe Veteriner Dergisi, Cilt: 19 Sayı: 2, 145–157. https://doi.org/10.30607/kvj.1661055

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