Journal of Livestock Science and Technologies

Journal of Livestock Science and Technologies

Short communication: Effects of Protoxin probiotic and weaning age on the performance, rumen and blood parameters in Kordi lambs

Articles in Press

Document Type : Short Communication

Authors
Sadegh Pournaderi
Yadollah Chashnidel
Asadollah Teimouri Yansari
Faculty of Animal Sciences and Fisheries, Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
10.22103/jlst.2026.27488.1750
Abstract
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of probiotic supplementation (Protoxin) and weaning age on feed intake (FI), average daily gain, and selected ruminal and blood parameters in Kordi lambs, with the aim of identifying the most appropriate probiotic regimen and weaning age. Sixty newborn male Kordi lambs (initial body weight (BW) 4.4 ± 0.53 kg) were allocated to six treatments (n=10 lambs per treatment) for 90 d using a 2×3 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. Lambs were housed in individual experimental pens with their dams and had access to creep feed. Treatments were as follows: (1) no probiotic, weaning at 45 d; (2) no probiotic, weaning at 67 d; (3) no probiotic, weaning at 90 d; (4) 0.5 g Protoxin/d, weaning at 45 d; (5) 0.5 g Protoxin/d, weaning at 67 d; and (6) 0.5 g Protoxin/d, weaning at 90 d. Probiotic supplementation began on d 1 of age, and starter feed was offered from the second week. Protoxin was dissolved in 10 mL of lukewarm water and administered orally by syringe once daily before morning feeding. Overall, Protoxin supplementation increased creep FI and BW gain, resulting in younger age at weaning. Protoxin contributed to improved growth performance of lambs by decreasing pH, NH3-N, and acetic acid concentrations while increasing propionic acid, and butyric acid concentrations in the rumen. Also, probiotic supplementation reduced blood glucose, BUN, interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 concentrations and improved blood protein profiles (albumin, globulin, and total protein), suggesting enhanced immune status. Although later weaning with Protoxin supplementation was able to further improve BW gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was not different among treatments receiving the probiotic. In contrast, later weaning increased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, reduced blood glucose and total protein concentrations and increased rumen NH3-N.  Based on the present findings, weaning at 45 d with 0.5 g Protoxin daily might be recommended for Kordi lambs to optimize performance and metabolic status.
Keywords
blood urea nitrogen
creep feeding
feed intake
gain
ammonia
Subjects
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Journal of Livestock Science and Technologies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 August 2026