Oral administration of nucleotides in calves: Effects on oxidative status, immune response, and intestinal mucosa development

The present work aimed to investigate the effects of nucleotide oral administration on oxidative stress biomarkers, immune responses, gut morphology, serum biochemical parameters, and growth performance in calves from birth to 25 d of life. A total of 40 male Holstein Friesian calves were randomly divided in 2 groups. All the calves were born and reared on the same commercial dairy farm. They were fed the same colostrum, milk replacer, and calf starter. Five grams/head of an additive were orally administered with a syringe directly in the mouth to calves of the nucleotide group (NG). The additive contained 74.12 g/100 g of nucleic acids from hydrolyzed yeast, and 75.38% was free nucleotide sodium salt. The other group represented the negative control (CG). At 25 d of life all of the calves were slaughtered. Calves supplemented with nucleotides had a higher final live weight and improved average daily gain, which was associated with better efficiency of nutrient use. Oral nucleotide administration did not affect IgG absorption efficiency; however, NG calves showed greater duodenum villi length and higher crypt depth compared with CG. Oral nucleotide administration increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and the antioxidant capacity [ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) scavenging activity] both in plasma and in liver. An enhanced ability of cells to counter reactive oxygen species– and reactive nitrogen species–mediated damage was also observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from NG. The findings highlight the effectiveness of oral nucleotide administration, and potentially dietary supplementation of nucleotides, in boosting oxidative and immune status in newborn calves.