Authors : Maohong Sun, Chunwang Yue , Jian Ge , Xiuming Mu , Dong Li and Qiang Hao
Abstract: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of chitosan on serum GH, T3 and T4 in and to determine the appropriate supplemental dosage level of chitosan in dairy calves diet. A 30 days trial of dietary chitosan supplementation was reported. Twenty dairy calves were allotted at random to four groups at 10 days of age. Calves in the control group were fed the basal diet alone and calves in treatment groups I-III were fed the basal diet supplemented with 200, 400, 600 mg/day/h Chitosan (CTS), respectively for 30 days. The trial demonstrated that dietary chitosan supplementation significantly increased serum T3 level (p<0.05), when comparing chitosan groups I, II with the control group. Dietary supplementation of chitosan at 400 mg/day/h significantly increased serum T3 (p<0.05). Treatments with various levels of chitosan supplementation showed a tendency of increase in serum T4 and GH levels. So, the appropriate supplemental dosage of chitosan in the diets of dairy calves was 400 mg/day/h Chitosan (CTS).
Maohong Sun, Chunwang Yue , Jian Ge , Xiuming Mu , Dong Li and Qiang Hao , 2012. Effects of Dietary Chitosan on Hormone Level in Dairy Calves. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 727-730.