Effect of pomegranate peel extract on performance, antioxidant capacity and some blood parameters in neonatal calves

In this study, the effects of pomegranate peel extract, which is a by-product of fruit juice industry, on performance, antioxidant capacity and some blood parameters in newborn calves were investigated. For this purpose, a total of 28, aged 3-7 days healthy calves were divided into 4 groups. (Male and female calves number was equal in the treatment groups). The Control group was fed a commercial milk replacer + concentrate. Experimental groups were fed with: Treatment 1: (Commercial calf milk replacer + 4 ml/day pomegranate peel extract during first 15 days) + (Concentrate), Treatment 2: (Commercial calf milk replacer) + (Concentrate + 0,4% pomegranate peel extract during 60 days), Treatment 3: (Commercial calf milk replacer + 4 ml/day pomegranate peel extract during first 15 days) + (Concentrate + 0,4% pomegranate peel extract during 60 days), respectively. The trial was continued for 60 days. Animals were weighed individually at the beginning of the experiment and on days 15, 30 and 60. The height of the coccyx, height of the chest and chest circumference was measured. The dry matter consumption of the animals was determined on the 15th, 30th and 60th days of the study. The stools were monitored and scored daily. At the beginning of the experiment, on the 15th and 60th days, blood was taken from the vena jugularis from all calves in each trial group at the 3rd hour after feeding; Total protein, BUN, BHBA, Glucose, Immunoglobuline G levels and antioxidant capacity (MDA) were determined. The present study found that the performance parameters, including average daily gain and feed conversion ratio, of calves fed diets supplemented with pomegranate peel extract were comparable to those of calves fed the control diet. However, there was a marginal decrease in dry matter intake with the dietary supplementation of pomegranate peel extract. The impact of supplementing pomegranate peel extract on blood biochemistry, particularly the body's antioxidant status, was not as pronounced as anticipated in this study. However, the observed decrease in the incidence of diarrhea suggests a potential positive effect of pomegranate peel extract supplementation on calf health. Further research is warranted to explore the potential of encapsulation techniques to mitigate any negative effects of pomegranate peel extract on intake and digestibility in calves.