Effects of folic acid on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and urinary excretion of purine derivatives in post-weaned dairy calves

This study evaluated the effects of folic acid (FA) supplementation on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and urinary purine derivatives (PD) excretion in dairy calves. Forty-eight Chinese Holstein male dairy calves at 60 ± 3.2 d of age and 89 ± 5.9 kg body weight (mean ± standard error) were assigned to one of four groups in a randomised block design. Calves in control group were fed basal diet, calves in low FA, …