Gorlov IF, Slozhenkina MI, Mosolova NI, Giro TM, Mosolov АА, Bondar VV.

Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2026. Vol. 109. No. 2. P. 196-209.

doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-109-2-196

Original article

Efficiency of a new prebiotic feed supplement in growing calves

Ivan F Gorlov1, Marina I Slozhenkina2, Natalya I Mosolova3, Tatyana M Giro4,

Alexander А Mosolov5, Valeri V Bondar6

1,2,3,4,5,6Volga Region Research Institute of Manufacture and Processing of Meat-and-Milk Production, Volgograd, Russia

1niimmp@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9542-5893

2natali.niimmp@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6559-6595

3girotm.57@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3039-1324

4bav898@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9186-2671

5a-Leksha@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4927-7065

6bondar-199999@mail.ru

 

Abstract. This article evaluates the impact of the innovative feed additive Imolact, which consists of 50% isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) and 50% LaktuVet-1, on the performance of Holstein calves. IMO, a prebiotic, is produced by bioconversion of corn starch (in accordance with GOST 13634-90) at the Volgograd facility of NewBio LLC. LaktuVet-1 (Manufacturer: Scientific and Research Center "New Biotechnologies" LLC, g. Volgograd) is a bifidogenic product designed to normalize intestinal microflora and digestive processes in farm animals and poultry. LaktuVet-1 contains the prebiotic lactulose, which, as a prebiotic substance, promotes the enhanced growth of beneficial intestinal microorganisms, including bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, while suppressing the proliferation of potentially dangerous pathogens. The experiment involved 40 calves, divided into a control group (standard feeding) and three experimental groups receiving the supplement at dosages of 20 g, 40 g, and 60 g per day. Five-month observations revealed a statistically significant improvement in growth performance in calves receiving IMO. The average live weight in the experimental groups exceeded the control by 2.85 (20 g of Imolact); 6.03 (40 g of Imolact), and 5.71% (60 g of Imolact). Similar positive dynamics were observed in the average daily gain, which increased by 5.92; 7.69 and 7.40%, respectively. Improvement in blood biochemistry was also recorded, including an increase in the concentration of total protein and calcium, confirming the positive effect of the supplement on animal metabolism. Analysis of bovine rumen fluid samples revealed an increase in the proportion of normal microflora, which has a positive effect on intestinal health, the breakdown of complex carbohydrates, the synthesis of vitamins, amino acids, and butyrate, and possesses immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Lower levels of opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria were observed in the experimental groups compared to the control group. The studies determined the most effective dosage of the Imolact feed additive for raising Holstein calves.

Keywords: calves, feeding, feed additive, Imolact, hematological profile, blood biochemistry, rumen microbiome, NGS sequencing method, increase

Acknowledgments: the   work   was   supported  by  the  Russian  Science  Foundation, Project No. 22-16-00041-P.

For citation: Gorlov IF, Slozhenkina MI, Mosolova NI, Giro TM, Mosolov АА, Bondar VV. Efficiency of a new probiotic feed supplement in growing calves. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2026;109(2):196-209. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.33284/2658-3135-109-2-196

References

  1. Zavyalov OA, Medetov ES, Amirshoev FS, Gulukin AM. Testing technology for improving the productive qualities of cattle by assessing and correcting the elemental status. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2025;108(3):8-20. doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-108-3-8
  2. Atlanderova KN, Vlasenko LV. Analysis of blood parameters of the Kazakh white-headed bulls after a combination of phytochemicals added to the diet. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2025;108(2):8-18. doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-108-2-8
  3. Afanaseva AI, Sarychev VA. Modification of metabolism and productivity of dairy cattle using the enzyme-probiotic feed additive Profort. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2025;108(1):115-127. doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-108-1-115
  4. Brekhova SA, Slozhenkina MI, Obrushnikova LF. Lactulose-containing feed additives as a factor in the lifetime formation of high-quality and safe products. Agrarian and food innovations. 2022;20 (4):51-64. doi: 10.31208/2618-7353-2022-20-51-64
  5. Maslova EN, Veremeeva SA,  Satkeeva AB,  Dragich OA, Pashayan SA. Probiotics effect on calves’ growth and development in psoroptotic invasion. Bulletin of KSAU. 2025;11:109-119. doi: 10.36718/1819-4036-2025-11-109-119
  6. Ikoeva LP. Modern technologies of growing replacement heifers. Mountain Agriculture. 2022;6:102-108. doi: 10.25691/GSH.2022.6.01
  7. Slozhenkina MI, Mosolova NI, Knyazhechenko OA, Grishin VS, Stifanko MD, Bondar VV, Gorlov IF. Innovative approach to growing Holstein calves using isomaltooligosaccharide. Veterinary Science and Nutrition. 2025;6:114-116. doi: 10.30917/ТТ-VK-1814-9688-2025-5-23
  8. Koloskova EM, Ostrenko KS, Ezerskiy VA, Ovcharova AN, Belova NV. Studies of the sheep rumen microbiome using molecular genetic methods: a review. Problems of Productive Animal Biology. 2020;4:5-26. doi: 10.25687/1996-6733.prodanimbiol.2020.4.5-26
  9. Kolodina EN, Dovydenkova MV. Physiological and biochemical properties and probiotic potential of Enterococcus strains isolated from natural biotopes. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2025;108(3):51-63. doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-108-3-51
  10. Kotarev VI, Bolshakov VN, Bryukhova IV. Efficiency of using a probiotic additive in the diet of calves. Actual Issues in Agricultural Biology. 2021;2(20):83-90.
  11. Melnikova AA, Maslyuk AN. The effectiveness of different feeding schemes for suckling calves. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2023;106(4):135-147. doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-106-4-135
  12. Murlenkov NV, Shendakov AI. Influence of probiotics based on sorbents on the growth intensity of black-and-white calves. Biology in Agriculture. 2023;1(38):13-16.
  13. Volkov RA, et al. Recommendations for milk production. The path from calf to cow: monograph. Kazan: Publishing House "MaDDok"; 2022:366 p.
  14. Savelyeva LN. Therapeutic effectiveness of phytoextracts and probiotics for dyspepsic disorders in calves. Bulliten KrasSAU. 2024;8:111-115. doi: 10.36718/1819-4036-2024-8-111-115
  15. Fomichev YuP, Bogolyubova NV, Romanov VN, Kolodina EN. Comparative assessment of natural feed additives for functional effects on the digestive processes in the rumen of sheep (Ovis aries). Agricultural Biology. 2020;55(4):770-783. doi: 10.15389/agrobiology.2020.4.770eng
  16. Sheida EV, Miroshnikov SA, Duskaev GK, Miroshnikov IS. A strategy for reducing methane formation in the rumen of ruminants using alimentary factors. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2025;108(3):36-50. doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-108-3-36
  17. Topuria GM. Use of probiotic feed additive in growing calves. News of Orenburg State Agrarian University. 2025;1(111):248-253. doi: 10.37670/2073-0853-2025-111-1-248-253
  18. Khairullamin B, Morozov VYu, Sklyarov SP. Studying of the rumen microbiome of cows by NGS sequencing. News of Saint-Petersburg State Agrarian University. 2022;4(69):131-138.           doi: 10.24412/2078-1318-2022-4-131-13
  19. Molchanov AV, Kozin AN, Giro TM, Svetlov VV. Efficiency of using feed additives enriched with essential microelements in the diets of Edilbaevskaya rams. (Conference proceedings) Innovative development of agro-food technologies: Proc. of the Intern. scientific-practical conference, (Volgograd, June 4-5, 2020) under the general editorship of Gorlov I.F. Moscow: OOO «Sfera»; 2020:80-84.
  20. Yakimov OA, et al. The effect of the symbiotic drug on the growth and development of calve. Scientific Notes Kazan Bauman State Academy of Veterinary Medicine. 2024;257(1):285-288. doi: 10.31588/2413_4201_1883_1_257_285
  21. Cui X, Wang Z, Tan Y, et al. Selenium yeast dietary supplement affects rumen bacterial population dynamics and fermentation parameters of Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) in Alpine Meadow. Front Microbiol. 2021;12:663945. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.663945
  22. Giro TM, Ilina LA, Kulikovsky AV, Ziruk IV, Giro AV. Molecular genetic studies of microbiocenosis and microstructure of jejunum wall in young rams grown on biofortified feed additives. Foods and Raw Materials. 2022;10(2):310-317. doi: 10.21603/2308-4057-2022-2-541

Information about the authors:

            Ivan F Gorlov,  Dr. Sci. (Agriculture), Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Scientific Director, Volga Region Research Institute of Manufacture and Processing of Meat-and-Milk Production, 6  Marshal Rokossovsky St., Volgograd, 400066, Russia, tel.: +7 (8442) 39-10-48; 39-11-01; 37-38-09.

            Marina I Slozhenkina, Dr. Sci. (Biology), Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director, Volga Region Research Institute of Manufacture and Processing of Meat-and-Milk Production, 6  Marshal Rokossovsky St., Volgograd, 400066, Russia, tel.: +7 (8442) 39-10-48.

            Natalya I Mosolova, Dr. Sci. (Biology), Chief Researcher of the comprehensive analytical laboratory, Volga Region Research Institute of Manufacture and Processing of Meat-and-Milk Production, 6  Marshal Rokossovsky St., Volgograd, 400066, Russia, tel.: +7 (8442) 39-10-48.

            Tatyana M Giro, Dr. Sci. (Engineering), Professor, Volga Region Research Institute of Manufacture and Processing of Meat-and-Milk Production, 6 Marshal Rokossovsky St., Volgograd, 400066, Russia, tel.: +7 (960) 342-30-16.

            Alexander A Mosolov Dr. Sci. (Biology), Professor, Volga Region Research Institute of Manufacture and Processing of Meat-and-Milk Production, 6 Marshal Rokossovsky St., Volgograd, 400066, Russia, tel.: +7 (8442) 39-10-48.

            Valeri V Bondar, graduate student, Volga Region Research Institute of Manufacture and Processing of Meat-and-Milk Production, 6  Marshal Rokossovsky St., Volgograd, 400066, Russia, tel.: +7 (929)-785-12-64.

The article was submitted 21.01.2026; approved after reviewing 30.03.2026; accepted for publication 15.06.2026.

Download