In a fully student-led research project that won the 2024 BSAS Undergraduate Thesis of the Year Award, May Allan, an undergraduate at SRUC, investigated the use of probiotics to reduce the prevalence and severity of Cryptosporidium infections in young calves — a major concern in the livestock industry due to its significant impact on calf health and farm economics.

 

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite that commonly infects neonatal calves, causing cryptosporidiosis — an intestinal disease that leads to severe diarrhoea, dehydration, weight loss, and, in some cases, mortality. The infection is not only a major animal welfare issue but also results in considerable economic losses due to treatment costs and reduced growth performance.

 

The study, conducted over six weeks on a commercial dairy farm, involved 50 calves divided into treatment and control groups. Probiotics were administered to the treatment group according to manufacturer guidelines, while the control group received no supplementation. The research aimed to assess whether probiotic use could enhance gastrointestinal health and immune response, thereby mitigating the effects of Cryptosporidium.

 

Data collection methods included faecal sampling to confirm infection presence, scour scoring, regular body temperature monitoring, and tracking of weight gain and milk consumption. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in Cryptosporidium prevalence and severity among calves receiving probiotics. Treated calves showed improved feeding behaviour, including increased morning and evening milk intake, and exhibited more stable temperature regulation. They also experienced notably lower scour scores, suggesting enhanced gut health.

 

Importantly, these benefits remained consistent across variables such as breed, sex, and pen. The study also found age-specific treatment effects, particularly between 7–12 days old, highlighting the dynamic nature of infection progression and response to intervention.

 

This award-winning research contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting probiotics as a promising non-pharmaceutical approach to improving calf health. It offers valuable insights for farmers seeking sustainable disease management strategies