# Sodium Butyrate Supplementation in Whole Milk Modulates the Gastrointestinal Microbiota Without Altering the Resistome and Virulome in Preweaned Calves

## TL;DR

Adding sodium butyrate to whole milk changes gut bacteria in young calves without affecting harmful genes.

## Contribution

Sodium butyrate modulates gut microbiota in preweaned calves without altering resistome or virulome.

## Key findings

- SB increased beneficial bacteria like Actinobacteria and Bifidobacterium in the rumen.
- Cecal microbiota diversity remained unchanged, but beneficial genera like Flavonifractor increased.
- No significant changes in virulence or antibiotic resistance genes with SB supplementation.

## Abstract

This study investigated the effects of supplementing whole milk (WM) with sodium butyrate (SB) on the gastrointestinal microbiota of preweaned calves. Twelve newborn Holstein calves (4 days old, 39.21 ± 1.45 kg) were randomly assigned into one of two dietary treatments: (1) WM without SB (CON) and (2) WM supplemented with SB (8.8 g/d; SB). At 74 days of age, all calves were slaughtered to collect ruminal and cecal digesta. Metagenomic analysis was used to characterize the microbial composition, virulence factor genes (VFGs), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). SB supplementation altered the ruminal microbial composition and increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Actinobacteria, Bifidobacterium, and Olsenella (p < 0.05). Although SB did not significantly affect the overall microbial composition or diversity in the cecum (p > 0.05), it promoted the growth of beneficial genera such as Flavonifractor and Subdoligranulum (p < 0.05). Furthermore, SB supplementation did not significantly alter the composition of VFGs or ARGs in either the rumen or the cecum (p > 0.05). However, significant differences in VFGs and ARGs were observed between the rumen and the cecum, with a greater diversity of both VFGs and ARGs detected in the cecum compared to that in the rumen (p < 0.05). In summary, supplementing whole milk with sodium butyrate modulates gastrointestinal health in preweaned calves by favorably shaping the microbial community without significantly altering the antibiotic resistome or virulome.