EFFECTS OF ENTEROCOCCUS FAECIUM (SF68) SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE INNATE IMMUNE DEFENSES AND BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN PRE-WEANING GOAT KIDS

A commercial probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium 68 (SF68) was supplemented to the first day colostrum continued with the commercial milk replacer until weaning day (35 days) in newborn goat kids to evaluate its efficacy as a probiotic on the innate immunity and blood biochemical parameters.Blood samples were collected at 2, 12, 24 h after birth, and at day 5 and 7, and thereafter at weekly intervals until the end of the experiment (day 35).Plasma protein and immunoglobulin content, leukocyte count, and leukocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were analyzed.Results suggested that the count of blood leukocytes increased continuously up to day 35, especially in SF68supplemented group.Plasma protein content peaked at 12-h of age regardless of SF68 supplementation.The abundance of plasma γ-globulins also increased to reach the top at 12-h and goat kids with the SF68 supplementation had higher levels of plasma γ-globulin and albumin.The ROS production of blood leukocytes increased continuously up to day 35, and the increase was more dramatic in goat kids fed with SF68 supplementation.The results suggested that SF68 supplementation in goat kids can benefit innate immunity of goat kids before weaning.