Early-life high-dose sodium butyrate supplementation inhibits growth via sterol metabolism in 15-month-old dairy cattle: insights from gastrointestinal microbiota and host metabolism

Sodium butyrate is a common calf feed additive, but its long-term effects are unknown. This study found that feeding high doses in milk before weaning had a negative programming effect, stunting growth in heifers at 15 months of age. This was caused by disrupting rumen microbes and cholesterol metabolism. Our results provide dairy farmers and nutritionists with crucial guidance: optimizing butyrate dosage is essential to avoid unintended losses in growth and productivity, ensuring sustainable and economical dairy production.