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Abstract
The effect of a peptolide antibiotic virginiamycin on the growth, rumen and blood parameters was followed in 8 milk‐fed calves, 4 weeks old initially. Calves were individually housed in metabolic cages. The experiment was ended at the age of 16 weeks. Virginiamycin was supplied at 80 mg per head per day. Calves receiving virginiamycin gained 5.1 % more than control calves. Feed intake per 1 kg of body weight gain was higher in control calves.
Virginiamycin significantly increased molar percentage of propionate and decreased molar acetate: propionate ratio in rumen fluid. Serum iron, hematocrit and hemoglobin were significantly increased in the treated group in the last period of the trial. Virginiamycin lowered serum protein and urea and tended to decrease activity of aminotransferases.