Sodium butyrate administration modulates the ruminal villus height, inflammation-related gene expression, and plasma hormones concentration in dry cows fed a high-fiber diet.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of sodium butyrate on the ruminal villus morphology, mRNA expression associated with nutrient metabolism and inflammation in the ruminal epithelium, and plasma concentrations of metabolites and hormones in non-lactating cows fed a high-fiber diet. Four Holstein cows with a rumen cannula were assigned to two treatments in a crossover design. The treatments were ruminal administration of sodium butyrate premix or control premix before feeding to cows fed the same total mixed ration mainly composed of glass silage once a day. Sodium butyrate was provided at a butyrate dose of 0.04% per kg body weight. The control premix was made by replacing sodium-butyrate with wheat bran. The plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentration increased 3 to 6 h after the butyrate premix administration but returned to a concentration similar to that of the control before feeding. After continuous administration, increases in the ruminal villus height and plasma concentration of glucagon-like peptide-2, and lower gene expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and TLR-2 in the rumen epithelium were observed in cows supplied with the butyrate premix. These results showed that sodium butyrate affects rumen epithelial morphology and plasma concentrations of hormones even under a low fermentable diet.