The Supplemental Effect of postbiotic Floresis on Health and Productive Parameters in Holstein Cows

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Animal Science, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Alborz, Karaj, Iran

2 Department of Anima Science, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Alborz, Iran

3 Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of Floresis postbiotic supplementation on the health and productive performance of Holstein dairy cows. Twenty multiparous Holstein cows (parity ≥2) were randomly allocated to two groups in a completely randomized design: a control group (no postbiotic) and a treatment group receiving 500 g/day of Floresis postbiotic. The experimental period spanned from 21 days prepartum—including a 7-day adaptation period—to 49 days postpartum. Milk and fecal samples were collected at defined intervals (milk: days 3, 14, 28, and 49 postpartum; feces: day 14 prepartum and day 49 postpartum). Production parameters included milk yield and composition (fat, protein, lactose, and somatic cell count). Health indicators included body condition score, body weight, dry matter intake, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, fecal score, and fecal coliform counts.
Postbiotic supplementation significantly increased milk yield (30.42 vs. 26.85 kg/day; P < 0.05), and improved milk composition, including fat content (P < 0.01), protein and lactose percentages and yields (P < 0.01), and reduced somatic cell count (P < 0.01). Additionally, rectal temperature (P < 0.01) and heart rate (P ≤ 0.02) were improved in the treatment group, suggesting better physiological stability. No significant differences were observed in other measured parameters. These findings indicate that Floresis postbiotic can be a safe and effective supplement for improving the health and productive performance of dairy cows.

Keywords

Main Subjects

REFERENCES

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Extended Abstract
Introduction
    The transition period in dairy cows, spanning from three weeks prepartum to three weeks postpartum, is widely recognized as one of the most critical and challenging phases of the lactation cycle (Grummer, 1995). During this period, cows are highly susceptible to metabolic and infectious disorders, collectively referred to as transition disorders (Goff, 2006), primarily due to negative energy balance, impaired immune function, and gastrointestinal dysbiosis (Jahan et al., 2015; Kang et al., 2025). Additionally, increased intestinal permeability—known as leaky gut syndrome (LGS)—has been implicated in triggering systemic inflammation and metabolic disturbances (Abuajamieh et al., 2016). Nutritional interventions targeting gut microbiota, immune modulation, and energy balance are essential for improving health and productivity during this vulnerable stage. Although probiotics and prebiotics have been extensively studied, their limitations in stability and safety remain concerns (Fernández et al., 2023). In contrast, postbiotics—non-viable microbial cells or their metabolic byproducts—have emerged as promising alternatives, offering greater stability, safety, and a range of health-promoting properties (Salminen et al., 2021; Pimentel et al., 2023; Zhong et al., 2022).
 
Materials and Methods
    This study was conducted as a completely randomized design at the Animal Science Research Farm, University of Tehran. Twenty multiparous Holstein cows (parity ≥2) were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group receiving no Floresis postbiotic and a treatment group receiving 500 g/day of Floresis. Both groups were fed a common basal diet starting 21 days prepartum, and postbiotic supplementation commenced 14 days before calving. The trial continued until 49 days postpartum. The chemical composition of Floresis included 42% dry matter, 3,624 kcal/kg metabolizable energy, and 34% crude protein. Parameters recorded included milk yield and composition, body condition score (BCS), body weight, dry matter intake (DMI), rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), fecal score, and fecal coliform counts. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS (v9.1), with means compared using Duncan’s multiple range test at a significance level of P<0.05.
 
Results
    Postbiotic supplementation significantly increased milk yield (30.42 vs. 26.85 kg/day; P<0.05), fat-corrected milk (FCM), energy-corrected milk (ECM), and the yields and percentages of fat, protein, and lactose. Somatic cell count and somatic cell score were significantly reduced (P<0.01), indicating improved udder health. Rectal temperature and heart rate were also significantly improved (P<0.01 and P≤0.02, respectively), suggesting better metabolic and immune stability. However, no significant differences were observed for DMI, body weight, BCS, respiratory rate, or fecal parameters. Additionally, the use of postbiotics may contribute to reduced enteric methane emissions, offering potential environmental benefits (Hristov, 2023).
 
Conclusion
   Supplementation with Floresis postbiotic during the transition period significantly enhanced milk production, milk composition, and select health indicators in multiparous Holstein cows. Although some parameters remained unaffected, the findings support the use of postbiotics as a safe and effective alternative to probiotics. Further long-term studies are warranted to optimize dosage strategies and evaluate the extended effects of postbiotic use under various management and environmental conditions.
 
Acknowledgements
   This research was financially supported by Darman Gostar Farzanegan Company (Contract No. 403-10166530) and conducted as part of the Sixth-Type Research Project (No. 7108017/6/54)at the University of Tehran.
 

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, Investigation, Formal analysis, Software and Writing-original draft, Z.R.; Supervision, Project administration, Conceptualization, Validation, Writing- review and editing, A.T.; Supervision, Validation, M.G.; Writing, review and editing, H.G.N.
 

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

 

Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by Darman Gostar Farazangan Company under contract No. 403-10166530 and conducted within the framework of Type VI project of the University of Tehran under project No. 7108017/6/54.

Ethical considerations

All experimental procedures involving animals were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the University of Tehran and were conducted in accordance with the approved guidelines.

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.
Iranian Journal of animal Science
Volume 57, Issue 1
April 2026
Pages 113-130

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 June 2025
  • Revise Date: 16 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 19 July 2025

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