The Combination of Phytogenic in High-Starch Diets for Growing Cattle and Its Effects on Immunomodulation, Fermentation, Microbiota, and Performance

Abstract

Simple Summary High-starch diets can impair gastrointestinal homeostasis and animal performance by promoting dysbiosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. We evaluated a novel multi-active feed additive in Holstein calves fed a high-starch diet. Animals what receiving the additive exhibited greater weight gain, reduced inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers, enhanced immune responses, increased ruminal and fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, and improved rumen microbial diversity. Furthermore, the additive selectively reshaped the ruminal microbial communities. These results indicate that the additive effectively mitigates the negative impacts of high-starch feeding and represents a promising nutritional strategy to improve health and productivity in growing cattle.