Effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) oil on pro-inflammatory cytokines, acute phase proteins, rumen metagenomic profile, rumen fluid variables and performance in calves.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L., SM) oil supplementation on proinflammatory cytokines, acute phase proteins, rumen metagenomic profile, rumen fluid variables and performance during the milk feeding period of Holstein calves. In the present study, 24 calves that consumed quality and sufficient amount of colostrum (≥50 mg/ml IgG) after birth were divided into three groups, with 8 animals in each group (4 males + 4 females).