Plasma metabolite and hormone concentrations in Friesian calves of low or high genetic merit: effects of sex and age

1993 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. H. Min ◽  
S. N. McCutcheon ◽  
D. D. S. Mackenzie ◽  
B. W. Wickham
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Insulin Metabolism ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Maintenance Energy Requirement

AbstractThis study investigated the potential use of blood metabolite and hormone concentrations as genetic markers for milk fat production and their possible interactions with sex and age. Two groups of calves, one from the Massey University high breeding index (HBI) line of dairy cattle (seven males, eight females) and the other from the low breeding index (LBI) line (four males, 11 females), were studied at 3·5 months and 7 months of age. The average breeding indices (BI) of the calves based on ancestry BI were 138 (s.d. 4·4) and 111 (s.d. 2·3) respectively. Serial blood sampling regimens were conducted in relation to feeding (chaffed lucerne hay at 1·3 times maintenance energy requirement), during an intravenous urea load (120 mg/kg live weight) and during fasting (63 h) and refeeding. Urea spaces and fractional decay constants at each age were estimated by a single compartment distribution model based on plasma urea concentrations following the intravenous urea load.Plasma concentrations of urea, creatinine and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were not significantly different between the lines in any of the periods examined and at either age. In contrast, plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin were greater in the HBI calves than in the LBI calves although these differences were restricted mainly to the period immediately after feeding. Urea space at 7 months of age was also greater in the HBI animals than in the LBI animals. Plasma concentrations of all hormones and metabolites except insulin were significantly influenced by sex and/or age.The study does not confirm previous findings that genetic merit for dairying is expressed in terms of plasma levels of urea and NEFA, particularly those during a fast. However, the results of the present study are consistent with previous observations of differences in glucose and insulin metabolism between the tivo Massey University genetic merit lines. These traits may therefore have potential as genetic markers for milk fat production.

A note on annual variation of plasma insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations and growth rates of Jersey heifers differing in genetic merit for milk production

1989 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 467-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Davis ◽  
V. C. Farr ◽  
P. D. Gluckman ◽  
B. H. Breier
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Insulin Like Growth Factor ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Breed Selection ◽  
Jersey Cows

A study was made of the concentration of insulin-like growth factor-l (IGF-I) in the plasma of Jersey cows differing in genetic merit for milk and milk fat production. Plasma IGF-I concentrations exhibited an annual cycle and from this study it is concluded that, in the Jersey breed, selection for increased milk and milk fat production, with the correlated responses of increases in mature live weight and live-weight gain, will not be accompanied by increased plasma IGF-I concentration.

A note on production responses of lactating ewes to calcium soaps of fatty acids

1992 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 288-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Sklan
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Rumen Metabolism ◽  
Experimental Treatments ◽  
Milk Solids

Productive and metabolic responses were determined in ewes given diets containing calcium soaps of fatty acids for a period of 90 days after lambing as compared with ewes given a control diet.Yield of milk and milk fat, milk protein and milk lactose were increased over the experimental period by feeding calcium soaps. Live-weight changes after lambing were not different in the two experimental treatments. No changes in rumen metabolism were observed when calcium soaps were offered whereas plasma concentrations of protein, glucose, triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterol were enhanced.It is concluded that calcium soaps of fatty acids can be included in diets of ewes to increase production of milk and milk solids.

Effect of raw or roasted whole soybeans on early lactational performance and ruminal and blood metabolites in Iranian cows

2007 ◽  
Vol 145 (5) ◽  
pp. 529-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. FATHI NASRI ◽  
M. DANESH MESGARAN ◽  
A. NIKKHAH ◽  
R. VALIZADEH ◽  
E. KEBREAB ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Lactational Performance ◽  
The Difference

SUMMARYThe current study evaluated responses of early lactation Iranian Holstein cows to feeding roasted whole soybeans (SB) plus cottonseed meal (CSM), raw SB plus CSM and soybean meal (SBM) plus cottonseed (CS) in diets with lucerne hay and maize silage as the primary forage source. Treatments consisted of a total mixed ration that included 387 g forage/kg, supplemented with: (1) 120 g roasted SB/kg and 82 g CSM/kg, (2) 120 g raw SB/kg and 82 g CSM/kg, or (3) 120 g SBM/kg and 82 g CS/kg on a dry matter (DM) basis. Diets were offered to 14 multiparous Holstein cows (body weight=617·0 kg, days in milk=16·9) that were assigned randomly to one of three experimental diets for a 45-day trial. Dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly higher for the roasted SB plus CSM diet than for the raw SB plus CSM diet but the difference between the SB plus CSM diets and SBM plus CS was not significant. Yields of milk and 35 g fat-corrected milk (FCM)/kg and milk fat were significantly higher for the roasted SB plus CSM diet than for raw SB plus CSM and also for the SB plus CSM diets than for SBM plus CS. Milk protein concentration was significantly increased by about 2·0 g/kg by the SBM plus CS diet, but milk protein yield was the same for cows fed SBM plus CS, roasted SB plus CSM and raw SB plus CSM diets. Rumen ammonia N, plasma urea N (PUN) and milk urea N (MUN) concentrations were lower when the roasted SB plus CSM diet was fed. Ruminal pH and plasma glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were not affected by dietary treatments. Plasma concentrations of essential amino acids (EAA), except Leu and Phe, were higher in cows fed the roasted SB plus CSM diet than in those fed raw SB plus CSM. The cows fed the SBM plus CS diet had the same concentrations of EAA, except Phe, as cows fed SB plus CSM diets. For diets based on lucerne hay and maize silage as the primary forage source, roasting of SB provides additional benefits over raw SB.

The effect of heifer rearing regime on milk yield and composition during the first lactation

2000 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 295-304
Author(s):  
A.F. Carson ◽  
L.E.R. Dawson ◽  
F.J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Milk Protein Content ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Commercial Farms

AbstractOne hundred and thirteen Holstein Friesian heifers (PIN (95) £88 s.d. 11.1) were used in a study to determine the effect of rearing regime, in terms of diet offered and target calving weight, on milk production in high genetic merit heifers. Eighty of the heifers were supplied from 11 commercial farms, the remainder were supplied from the herd at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland. The heifers commenced the experiment at 7 weeks of age when they were allocated on the basis of source, live weight and genetic merit to one of four rearing regimes. The target weights at calving were 540 kg (Treatment 1) and 620 kg (treatments 2, 3 and 4). Treatments 1 heifers were offered grass silage-based diets during the winter and grass–based diets during the summer. Treatment 2 heifers were offered the same forage base along with additional concentrate supplementation. Treatment 3 heifers were offered a straw/concentrate diet during the winter and grass-based diets during the summer. Treatment 4 heifers received the same diets as treatment 3, apart from the first summer period when they were housed and offered a straw/concentrate diet. The heifers were mated at 14 months of age and were returned to the 11 farms one month prior to calving. Heifers reared on treatment 1 weighed less had a lower withers height (P<0.001) and were of a lower condition score (P<0.001) before calving than heifers reared on the other treatments. During early lactation (3 months post-calving) heifers reared on treatment 1 lost less weight and condition score than the heifers reared on treatments 2, 3 and 4. Over the winter housing period (mean 140 days) the average milk yield was lower for heifers reared on treatment 1 compared with heifers reared on treatments 2 (P<0.05), 3 (P=0.08) and 4 (P<0.05). Milk protein content was higher in animals reared on treatment 1 compared with treatment 2 (P<0.01), 3 (P<0.05) and 4 (P=0.12). Overall milk fat plus protein yield was lower for heifers reared on treatment 1 compared with treatments 2 (P<0.05), 3 (P=0.06) and 4 (P<0.05).

Effect of condensed tannins inLotus corniculatusupon lactation performance in ewes

1996 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Wang ◽  
G. B. Douglas ◽  
G. C. Waghorn ◽  
T. N. Barry ◽  
A. G. Foote
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Lactation Performance ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Secretion Rates

SUMMARYA grazing experiment was conducted for 8 weeks in the spring/summer of 1993 at Palmerston North, New Zealand, to study the effects of condensed tannins (CT) inLotus corniculatus(birdsfoot trefoil cv. Grasslands Goldie) upon the lactation performance of ewes rearing twin lambs. Effects of CT were evaluated by studying the responses of ewes to twice daily oral supplementation with polyethylene glycol (PEG; MW 3500), which binds and inactivates CT. A rotational grazing system with restricted feed allowance was used. Measurements were made of pre- and post-grazing herbage mass, the composition of the feed on offer and diet selected, voluntary feed intake (VF1), milk yield and composition, liveweight gain and wool production. The concentration of metabolites in rumen fluid and in blood plasma was also measured. Lotus contained 35–5 g total nitrogen and 44–5 g total CT/kg dry matter in the diet selected, with anin vitrodigestibility of 73%. At peak lactation (weeks 3 and 4) milk yield and composition were similar for control (CT-acting) and PEG-supplemented (CTinactivated) ewes but, as lactation progressed, the decline in milk production and in the secretion rates of protein and lactose were less for control than for PEG-supplemented ewes. In mid and late lactation (weeks 6–11), control ewes secreted more milk (21 %), more milk protein (14%) and more lactose (12%) than PEG-supplemented ewes. Milk fat percentage was lower for control than for PEG-supplemented ewes, but secretion rates of fat were similar for the two groups. VFI, liveweight gain and wool growth were similar for both groups. Plasma urea and glucose concentrations were lower for control than for PEG-supplemented ewes, but concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), growth hormone and insulin were similar for the two groups. The concentrations of ammonia and molar proportions ofiso-butyric,iso-andn-valeric acids in rumen fluid were lower for control than for PEG-supplemented ewes; molar proportions of acetic, propionic and H-butyric acids were similar for the two groups. It was concluded that for ewes rearing twin lambs grazingL. corniculatus, the action of CT increased milk yield and the secretion rates of protein and lactose without affecting VFI, thereby increasing the efficiency of milk production. The increased milk production did not appear to be mediated by effects on plasma concentrations of growth hormone or insulin.

scholarly journals Severe below-maintenance feed intake increases methane yield from enteric fermentation in cattle

2020 ◽  
Vol 123 (11) ◽  
pp. 1239-1246 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Goopy ◽  
D. Korir ◽  
D. Pelster ◽  
A. I. M. Ali ◽  
S. E. Wassie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Nutrient Partitioning ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Maintenance Energy Requirement ◽  
Maintenance Requirements ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe relationship between feed intake at production levels and enteric CH4 production in ruminants consuming forage-based diets is well described and considered to be strongly linear. Unlike temperate grazing systems, the intake of ruminants in rain-fed tropical systems is typically below maintenance requirements for part of the year (dry seasons). The relationship between CH4 production and feed intake in animals fed well below maintenance is unexplored, but changes in key digestive parameters in animals fed at low levels suggest that this relationship may be altered. We conducted a study using Boran yearling steers (n 12; live weight: 162·3 kg) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to assess the effect of moderate to severe undernutrition on apparent digestibility, rumen turnover and enteric CH4 production of cattle consuming a tropical forage diet. We concluded that while production of CH4 decreased (1133·3–65·0 g CH4/d; P < 0·0001), over the range of feeding from about 1·0 to 0·4 maintenance energy requirement, both CH4 yield (29·0−31·2 g CH4/kg DM intake; P < 0·001) and CH4 conversion factor (Ym 9·1–10·1 MJ CH4/MJ gross energy intake; P < 0·01) increased as intake fell and postulate that this may be attributable to changes in nutrient partitioning. We suggest there is a case for revising emission factors of ruminants where there are seasonal nutritional deficits and both environmental and financial benefits for improved feeding of animals under nutritional stress.

Plasma metabolite and hormone concentrations as predictors of dairy merit in young Friesian bulls: effect of metabolic challenges and fasting

1988 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. D. S. Mackenzie ◽  
G. F. Wilson ◽  
S. N. McCutcheon ◽  
S. W. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Intravenous Injection ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Elevated Plasma ◽  
Fasting Period ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
Glucose Challenge ◽  
Plasma Metabolite

AbstractResponses to metabolic challenges were measured in 8-month-old Friesian bull calves with a view to identifying possible predictors of genetic merit for milk fat production. Seven ‘high’ breeding index bulls (mean breeding index for milk fat = 128·9 (s.d. 4·8) percentage units) were compared with six ‘low’ breeding index bulls (mean 107·3 (s.d. 2·4) percentage units). Bulls were from two selection lines and breeding indices calculated as the average of parental breeding index values.Challenges involved intravenous injection of the following (dose rates per kg body weight): adrenalin (1 μg); glucose (0·17 g); glucagon (0·175 μg); insulin (0·01 mg); and arginine (40 mg). Blood samples were withdrawn prior to and after each challenge (two challenges daily). Bulls were then fasted for 3 days before being refed.Relative to the low breeding index bulls, those in the high breeding index group exhibited: (a) greater pancreatic sensitivity to circulating glucose as indicated by increased insulin concentrations following the glucose challenge; (b) more rapid clearance of glucose from plasma following the insulin challenge; (c) reduced sensitivity to the glycogenolytic/gluconeogenic effects of glucagon as indicated by lower blood glucose concentrations following intravenous injection of this hormone; (d) elevated plasma insulin and growth hormone concentrations during the fasting period; (e) elevated plasma concentrations of insulin, glucose and urea during refeeding; (f) no difference in responses to intravenous arginine or adrenalin, or in circulating concentrations of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 or alkaline phosphatase. Results are consistent with previous observations that metabolic differences between cattle in the Massey University high and low breeding index lines are most evident in the metabolism of glucose and insulin. Metabolic challenges offer a potentially useful means of predicting genetic merit for milk fat production but the conditions under which repeatable differences between the lines can best be demonstrated are yet to be determined.

Effects of rearing regime on body size, reproductive performance and milk production during the first lactation in high genetic merit dairy herd replacements

2002 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Carson ◽  
L. E. R. Dawson ◽  
M. A. McCoy ◽  
D. J. Kilpatrick ◽  
F. J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Condition Score

AbstractOne hundred and thirteen high genetic merit Holstein-Friesian heifers were used in a study to determine the effect of rearing regime, in terms of diet offered and target calving weight, on body size, reproductive performance and milk production in high genetic merit heifers. Eighty of the heifers were supplied from 11 commercial farms, the remainder were supplied from the herd at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland. The heifers commenced the experiment at 7 weeks of age when they were allocated on the basis of source, live weight and genetic merit to one of four rearing regimes. The target weights at calving were 540 kg (treatment 1) and 620 kg (treatments 2, 3 and 4). Treatment 1 heifers were offered grass silage-based diets during the winter and grass-based diets during the summer. Treatment 2 heifers were offered the same forage base plus additional concentrate supplementation. Treatment 3 heifers were offered a straw/concentrate diet during the winter and grass-based diets during the summer. Treatment 4 heifers received the same diets as treatment 3, except for the first summer period when they remained housed and were offered a straw/concentrate diet. The heifers were mated at 14 months of age and were returned to the 11 source farms one month prior to calving. Heifers reared on treatment 1 had a lower withers height (P < 0·001) and were of a lower condition score (P < 0·001) before calving than heifers reared on treatments 2, 3 and 4. During early lactation (3 months post calving) heifers reared on treatment 1 lost less weight and condition score than the heifers reared on the other treatments. Thus at the end of the first lactation live weights did not differ significantly between the treatments. However, body length remained shorter (P < 0·01) in treatment 1 compared with treatments 2, 3 and 4. First lactation milk yield (305 days) was lower for heifers reared on treatment 1 (7222 l) compared with heifers reared on treatment 2 (8020 l) (P < 0·01), 3 (7956 l) (P < 0·01) and 4 (7901 l) (P < 0·05). Similarly, milk fat plus protein yield was lower (P < 0·05) for heifers reared on treatment 1 (511 kg) compared with treatments 2 (544 kg), 3 (544 kg) and 4 (554 kg). The interval from calving to first recorded oestrus was shorter in treatment 1 compared with treatments 2 and 3 (P < 0·05). There was a tendency (P < 0·10) for heifers reared on treatment 1 to have a shorter calving interval (394 days) compared with treatments 2 (426 days), 3 (435 days) and 4 (458 days). In conclusion increasing the live weight of Holstein-Friesian heifers at first calving from 540 to 620 kg pre-calving increased milk yield proportionally by 0·11 but tended to increase the calving interval. Diet type during the rearing period had no effect on milk fat plus protein yield or reproductive performance.

scholarly journals Effect of infection with lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) on energy and nitrogen metabolism in growing calves

1986 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. G. M. Kroonen ◽  
M. W. A. Verstegen ◽  
J. H. Boon ◽  
W. Van Der Hel
Keyword(s):  
Heat Production ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Dictyocaulus Viviparus ◽  
Infective Larvae ◽  
Antibody Titres ◽  
Maintenance Energy Requirement ◽  
Considerable Damage

1. Ten Friesian male calves of about 100 kg and 3 months old were reared similarly and were worm-free. From 13 weeks of age five calves received a dose of 640 infective larvae (L3) of lungworms (Dictyocuulus viviparus) twice weekly for 8 weeks to simulate continuous infection. Animals not infected were fed to the same level as the infected animals (about 1.2–1.3 kg concentrates and 14–1.5 kg good-quality hay/d).2. Heat production was measured twice weekly during 48 h (days 2 and 3, and days 5 and 6) in each group of experimental animals.3. Infection caused considerable damage to the lungs, increased respiration frequency and clearly produced antibody titres against D. viviparus.4. Animals infected with lungworms had on average a lower rate of weight gain, reduced by 70 g/d per animal. Digestibility was not affected. Nitrogen retention was much lower in infected animals (12.0 v. 14.6 g/d per animal in controls).5. Metabolizability of energy was slightly reduced in infected animals. Heat production as found in infected animals may be associated with an increased maintenance energy requirement of 30 kJ/kg live weight0.75 per d or reduced partial efficiency of feed conversion above maintenance in animals infected with lungworms (58.5 v. 64.1 % in the control animals).6. It was concluded that the depression in rate of gain was related to reduced intake of feed and to decreased N retention.

The effects of synchronizing the rate of dietary energy and nitrogen supply to the rumen on the production and metabolism of sheep: food characterization and growth and metabolism of ewe lambs given foodad libitum

1999 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. W. Witt ◽  
L. A. Sinclair ◽  
R. G. Wilkinson ◽  
P. J. Buttery
Keyword(s):  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Food Ingredients ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Fresh Food ◽  
Cyclical Trend

AbstractThe effects of diets formulated to have two rates of organic matter (OM) release and to be either synchronous or asynchronous with respect to their hourly release of nitrogen (N) and OM in the rumen on the growth, intake and metabolism of ewe lambs was studied. In experiment 1, the in situ degradation characteristics of N and OM for 16 food ingredients was determined. The foods varied considerably in their chemical composition and degradability coefficients of N and OM. Based on this information, four diets were formulated to differ in their rate of N and OM release in the rumen but to have a similar content of metabolizable energy (10·4 MJ/kg dry matter (DM)), crude protein (140 g/kg DM), daily ratio of N: OM released (34 g N per kg OM) and digestible undegradable protein (32 g/kg DM) but to be synchronous or asynchronous with respect to hourly N: OM ratio. The four diets were slow energy, synchronous (SS), slow energy asynchronous (SA), fast energy, synchronous (FS) and fast energy asynchronous (FA).In experiment 2 the four diets were offered ad libitum to 24 ewe lambs of an initial live weight of 25 kg in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Lambs were slaughtered at 40 kg live weight. Animals offered diets FS and FA had a higher growth rate than those offered diets SA and SS (266 v. 225 g/day respectively; P < 0·05). There was a significant interaction between rate ofOM and N release on DM intake (DMI) with lambs offered diet FS consuming less than those offered FA (1·47 v. 1·67 kg DM per day; P < 0·05). Rate of energy release and synchrony had an effect on food conversion efficiency (FCE; kg gain per kg DMI) with lambs offered diets FS and FA having a greater FCE than those offered SS and SA (0·170 v. 0·146 respectively; P < 0·001) and those offered diets SS and FS had a greater FCE than those offered diets SA and FA (0·164 v. 0·152 respectively; P < 0·05). Diet had little effect on carcass composition. The proportion of propionate in rumen fluid was greater in lambs offered diets FS and FA than in those offered diets SS and SA (222 v. 168 mmol/mol respectively; P < 0·01). Plasma urea concentrations exhibited a cyclical trend throughout the day with highest concentrations occurring 2 h after fresh food was offered. Lambs offered diet FS had lower plasma urea concentrations at 6, 10 and 14 h after feeding. Plasma concentrations of ß-hydroxybutyrate were lower throughout the day in lambs offered diet FS. The current findings are consistent with the view that a rapid release of OM and synchronizing hourly N: OM release in the rumen can improve the efficiency of growth through improvements in protein and/or energy metabolism.

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