Dose effect of Actisaf Sc 47 yeast probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation on production, reproduction, and negative energy balance in early lactation dairy cows.

The study evaluated the dose effect of dietary supplementation with yeast probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae (CNCM I-4407, 1010 CFU/g, Actisaf Sc 47; Phileo by Lesaffre, France) on production, energy metabolism, and reproduction in lactating dairy cows. About 117 multiparous Holstein cows from 3 to 60 d in milk held in a barn with an automatic milking system were enrolled in a randomized complete block design and blocked according to calving day, parity, and previous milk yield. The cows were assigned to a basal diet (15% CP, 22% starch) plus either 5 g (Y5 group, n = 39), 10 g (Y10 group, n = 39), or 0 g (CON, n = 39) of yeast probiotic, presented on top of concentrate fed in the robot. Milk yield and body weight were recorded daily, milk composition, and somatic cell count (SSC) every 2 wk, and body condition score (BCS) was estimated at days -14, 14, and 40 post-calving. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model. The Y10 group showed an increased average daily yield of energy-corrected milk (ECM) over CON (+3.5 kg, P < 0.05) and Y5 (+0.8 kg). There were no significant differences between the groups in milk fat, milk protein, milk SCC linear score, milk urea, blood beta-hydroxy-butyric acid levels, and BCS. Body weight loss from 3 to 90 d in milk was numerically lower (13.8 kg) in Y5 than in CON (25.3 kg), and the success rate from the first insemination was the highest in YP5 and YP10 groups (39%) than in Control (26%). The yeast probiotic supplementation to early lactation high-producing dairy cows showed a clear effect of the high dose (10 g) on ECM milk production, although the lower dose (5 g) showed only numerical ECM production increase, both doses displayed better use of energy from the diet than the control and suggest a better resource efficiency.

Does micro-granulated yeast probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation in milk replacer affect health, growth, feed efficiency and economic gain of calves?

The goal of calf feeding systems is to provide calves with optimum nutrition to promote growth, health, and future milk production and to reduce antibiotic use which leads to a need for alternatives that reduce illness and promote growth in dairy calves. We hypothesized that feeding live yeast would improve gastrointestinal health and growth performance of calves. The aim of this study was then to evaluate the effects of supplementing a yeast probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae (CNCM I-4407, 1010 CFU/g, Actisaf® Sc47 powder; Phileo by Lesaffre, France) in milk replacers (MR), on health and growth of pre-weaned calves. Forty Holstein female calves were used during this trial. Each calf was weighed at 3 days of age and then introduced in the trial. Calves were randomly assigned to 2 groups (n = 20/group) and were fed MR without (control; CON) or with yeast probiotic at 1 g/calf/d (experimental; EXP). Milk replacer (12.5 % solids) was offered twice a day until 66 days of age (DOA). Body Weight (BW), wither height, hip width, body length and chest girth were collected in day 3 and day 66. Compared to CON, calves supplemented with yeast probiotic had better average daily gain (ADG, 0.456 ± 0.1 vs. 0.556 ± 0.09 kg/d, p < 0.05). There was no difference (p >  0.05) in both starter and MR intake between the two groups. Feed efficiency was better (p < 0.05) in the EXP group (2.18 ± 0.53) compared to CON (2.63 ± 0.78). No statistical differences were found between groups even if the lower total morbidity (40.91 % in the CON vs. 19.05 % in EXP) and incidence of gastrointestinal disorders (36.36 % in the CON vs. 14.29 % in EXP) were observed in calves supplemented with yeast probiotic. The severity of diarrhea was numerically lower in calves supplemented with yeast probiotic. No severe cases of respiratory disorders were highlighted in the present trial. The cost/kg of gain was higher (p <  0.05) in CON compared to EXP group. Total expenses linked to feeds and veterinary treatments were higher in CON compared to EXP group. During the study, the use 1 g/d of yeast probiotic allows to save 32.86 €/calf. It could be concluded that supplementing Actisaf® powder (Actisaf® SC 47 PWD) in MR improved health, growth performance, feed efficiency, and reduced the expenses linked to feeds and veterinary treatments.

Effect of Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a Probiotic on Diet Digestibility, Fermentative Metabolites, and Composition and Functional Potential of the Fecal Microbiota of Dogs Submitted to an Abrupt Dietary Change.

The aim was to evaluate the effects of yeast probiotic on diet digestibility, fermentative metabolites, and fecal microbiota of dogs submitted to dietary change. Sixteen dogs were divided into two groups of eight dogs each: control, without, and with probiotic, receiving 0.12 g/dog/day of live Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. The dogs were fed a lower protein and fiber diet for 21 days and then changed to a higher protein and fiber diet until day 49. Yeast supplementation did not statistically influence diet digestibility. The probiotic group had a lower fecal concentration of total biogenic amines (days 21 and 49), ammonia (day 23), and aromatic compounds and a higher fecal concentration of butyrate (p < 0.05). The probiotic group showed a lower dysbiosis index, a higher abundance (p < 0.05) of Bifidobacterium (days 35 and 49) and Turicibacter, and a lower abundance of Lactobacillus and E. coli (p < 0.05). Beta diversity demonstrated a clear differentiation in the gut microbiota between the control and probiotic groups on day 49. The control group showed upregulation in genes related to virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and osmotic stress. The results indicated that the live yeast evaluated can have beneficial effects on intestinal functionality of dogs.