Article 2025 · 2 citations

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

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the effects of boric acid supplementation in milk replacer of lambs in the suckling period on performance, biochemical parameters, the antioxidant system, fecal culture, and expression of some genes. During the suckling period, 60 lambs (4 days old) were randomly given four levels of boric acid (0, 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg body weight) via milk replacer for 57 days. The lambs supplemented with boric acid had a higher weight gain and better feed conversion ratio. Boric acid supplementation quadratically increased serum triglyceride, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, serum antioxidant activity and oxidative stress biomarkers, and fecal flora and decreased IL1 beta, IL10, iNOS, NF-kB, and TNF-alpha gene expressions. The effect of boric acid on rumen papilla development could not be determined since the animals were not slaughtered. In conclusion, the use of boric acid to lambs in the suckling period improved the average weekly body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency, positively affected some biochemical parameters, antioxidant system, and intestinal flora, and also affected gene expressions related to the immune system. Boric acid supplementation had a beneficial effect on the health and growth of suckling lambs.

Keywords

Boric acid Lamb health Immune system Suckling period Gene expressions BORON SUPPLEMENTATION OXIDATIVE STRESS PARAMETERS PERFORMANCE INFLAMMATION APOPTOSIS RESPONSES CALCIUM ELEMENT IMMUNE

WoS Categories

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Endocrinology & Metabolism

Sustainable Development Goals

Zero Hunger

Citation

Journal: BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
Year: 2025
Volume: 203
Issue: 2
Pages: 850-860
ISSN: 0163-4984
eISSN: 1559-0720
DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04214-4
WoS UID: WOS:001226531600002

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