Milk cortisol response to group relocation in lactating cows

2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataliya Pošćić ◽  
Gianfranco Gabai ◽  
Bruno Stefanon ◽  
Laura Da Dalt ◽  
Sandy Sgorlon

The aim of the study reported in this Research Communication was to analyse the variations of milk cortisol concentrations in response to the relocation of dairy cows between production groups. Milk cortisol measured during 3 consecutive days did not vary significantly in cows without environmental perturbation. However, relocation of cows caused a significant increase of cortisol in milk starting from the first milking after the group change. This suggests that cortisol in milk can be a suitable biomarker to assess the HPA response of dairy cows to a short/medium-term environmental challenge.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Alexandre S. Abreu ◽  
Vivian Fischer ◽  
Marcelo T. Stumpf ◽  
Concepta M. McManus ◽  
Felix H. D. González ◽  
...  

Abstract This research communication addresses the hypothesis that, during the summer in the subtropics, natural tree shade helps to improve milk functional characteristics such as stability and acidity. Sixteen Holstein lactating cows were enrolled. The study consisted of three periods (pre-stress, heat stress and post-stress) based on allocating grazing cows into two treatments (with and without access to shade during the Heat Stress period). Overall THI during the trial was (mean ± se) 76.0 ± 3.4. Access to shade prevented the heat stress-related decrease in milk stability both in the ethanol and in the coagulation time test, as well as maintained milk acidity within an acceptable range (14 to 18°D).


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 722
Author(s):  
Jang-Hoon Jo ◽  
Jalil Ghassemi Nejad ◽  
Dong-Qiao Peng ◽  
Hye-Ran Kim ◽  
Sang-Ho Kim ◽  
...  

This study aims to characterize the influence of short-term heat stress (HS; 4 day) in early lactating Holstein dairy cows, in terms of triggering blood metabolomics and parameters, milk yield and composition, and milk microRNA expression. Eight cows (milk yield = 30 ± 1.5 kg/day, parity = 1.09 ± 0.05) were homogeneously housed in environmentally controlled chambers, assigned into two groups with respect to the temperature humidity index (THI) at two distinct levels: approximately ~71 (low-temperature, low-humidity; LTLH) and ~86 (high-temperature, high-humidity; HTHH). Average feed intake (FI) dropped about 10 kg in the HTHH group, compared with the LTLH group (p = 0.001), whereas water intake was only numerically higher (p = 0.183) in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Physiological parameters, including rectal temperature (p = 0.001) and heart rate (p = 0.038), were significantly higher in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Plasma cortisol and haptoglobin were higher (p < 0.05) in the HTHH group, compared to the LTLH group. Milk yield, milk fat yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM), and energy-corrected milk (ECM) were lower (p < 0.05) in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Higher relative expression of milk miRNA-216 was observed in the HTHH group (p < 0.05). Valine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, lactic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid, 1,5-anhydro-D-sorbitol, myo-inositol, and urea were decreased (p < 0.05). These results suggest that early lactating cows are more vulnerable to short-term (4 day) high THI levels—that is, HTHH conditions—compared with LTLH, considering the enormous negative effects observed in measured blood metabolomics and parameters, milk yield and compositions, and milk miRNA-216 expression.


1970 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Rahman ◽  
MMU Bhuiyan ◽  
MM Kamal ◽  
M Shamsuddin

Identification of risk factors is important for the design of control programmes for mastitis in cows. Information about farms and management was collected at a farm visit. California Mastitis Test (CMT) was performed to assess sub-clinical mastitis, and cows, udder and milk were examined for clinical mastitis. A total of 347 lactating cows from 83 farms in the dry season (November - February) and 388 lactating cows from 89 farms in the wet season (June - October) were studied. The overall prevalence of mastitis was 19.9% and 44.8% in dry and wet seasons, respectively. The prevalence of mild mastitis was 17.3% and 40.7%, whereas that of moderate mastitis was 2.6% and 4.1% in dry and wet seasons, respectively. The prevalence of mastitis was higher (P<0.01) in wet than in dry season. On average, 18.7% quarters had mastitis during the wet season and 6.9% in the dry season. In the dry and wet seasons, respectively, 63.9% and 11.2% had completely dry floors, and the prevalence of mastitis was 22.6% and 30.0%. On the other hand, 88.8% and 36.1% of 83 farms had partly or completely wet and soiled floor and the prevalence of mastitis was 40.0% and 59.5% in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Udder cleanliness, milk yield and peri-parturient diseases significantly (P<0.01) increased the risk of mastitis. The prevalence of mastitis is regarded as quite high. Dry and clean floor to keep cow's udder and teat clean would help control mastitis in the dairy farms of Bangladesh. DOI: 10.3329/bvet.v26i2.4951 Bangl. vet. 2009. Vol. 26, No. 2, 54-60


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3122
Author(s):  
Jalil Ghassemi Nejad ◽  
Bae-Hun Lee ◽  
Ji-Yung Kim ◽  
Kyung-Il Sung ◽  
Hong-Gu Lee

The effects of grazing lactating cows in mountainous areas for 12 and 24 h compared with the confined indoor system were evaluated by examining the overall milk fatty acid and cortisol. Twenty-one dairy cows were allocated to three treatment groups: (1) control (confined management system in a free-stall barn; TMR based), (2) grazing for 12 h (12hG; TMR plus grazing pasture), and (3) grazing for 24 h (24hG; pasture-based feeding system). Dry matter intake was higher in the control and 12hG groups than in the 24hG group. The yields of total milk and the 3.5% fat-corrected milk were the lowest in the 24hG group. Milk fat was the highest in the 24hG group and higher in 12hG compared with the control group. Milk protein and lactose levels were the highest in the 12hG group. The highest somatic cell count was observed in the 24hG group. The saturated fatty acid levels were higher in the control group compared with the 12hG and 24hG groups. There was no difference in overall mono-unsaturated fatty acids between 12hG and 24hG groups. Poly-unsaturated fatty acids were higher in the 12hG group compared with the control and 24hG groups. There was no difference in omega-6 (ω-6) fatty acids among the groups, and omega-3 fatty acids were higher in the 12hG group than in the control group. Milk cortisol was the highest in the 24hG group and higher in the control group compared with the 12hG group. Taken together, grazing for 12 h is advisable for farms that have access to mountainous areas to improve the milk fatty acid profile and decrease the stress levels in high-yielding Holstein lactating cows.


2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. PANOUSIS (Ν. ΠΑΝΟΥΣΗΣ) ◽  
M. KRITSEPI (Μ. ΚΡΙΤΣΕΠΗ) ◽  
I. KARAGIANNIS (Ι. ΚΑΡΑΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ) ◽  
E. KALAITZAKIS (ΕΜ. ΚΑΛΑΪΤΖΑΚΗΣ) ◽  
E. LAFI ◽  
...  

The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the Precision Xceed® hand-held meter as an on-site method for determining blood ß-hydroxyboutyric acid (BHBA) and glucose concentrations, for the diagnosis of subclinical ketosis in dry and lactating dairy cows. A total of 163 clinically healthy Holstein cows (113 lactating, 8-50 days-in-milk; and 50 dry, 10-40 days pre-partum) from 5 farms located around Thessaloniki region, were blood-sampled once, from the jugular vein of each animal, 5 to 8 hours after the start of morning feeding. BHBA was determined in all 163 cows, whereas glucose only in 114 cows (50 dry and 64 lactating cows). These analyses were performed, for each cow, by both laboratory method (in serum) and Precision Xceed® meter (in whole blood, cowside). Using laboratory serum BHBA concentrations > 1.2 mmol/L as the cut-off point, 11/163 (6.7%) of the tested cows were considered as subclinically ketotic, whereas raising the cut-off to > 1.4 mmol/L, 9/163 (5.5%) cows had subclinical ketosis. All these cows (11 and 9, respectively) were lactating. None of the dry cows had subclinical ketosis at BHBA cut-off of > 1.4 mmol/L. One out of the 50 dry cows (2%) and 15/113 (13.3%) lactating cows sampled were classified as subclinically ketotic when the Precision Xceed® meter was set at BHBA concentrations > 1.2 mmol/L. Overall, mean BHBA and glucose concentrations were not statistically different (P>0.05) between the two methods. Significant positive correlations were found for BHBA (strong correlation: r=0.99; n=163; P<0.01) and glucose (moderate correlation: r=0.63; n=114; P<0.01) concentrations between Precision Xceed® and laboratory results. Precision Xceed® is less accurate for measuring glucose (glucometer) compared to BHBA (ketometer). The low percentage of false positive (<0.6%) and false negative (<4%) indicating that the Precision Xceed® meter is an accurate screening test and its results are highly reliable under field conditions. Precision Xceed® meter was highly sensitive (90.9%) and specific (96.05%) at cut off point of BHBA concentrations > 1.2 mmol/L and it had excellent test agreement for detection of subclinical ketosis when using a threshold of blood BHBA > 1.4 mmol/L.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radojica Djokovic ◽  
Zoran Ilic ◽  
Vladimir Kurcubic ◽  
Milan Petrovic ◽  
Violeta Caro-Petrovic ◽  
...  

The objective of the present study was to investigate nutritional and metabolic status in Simmental cows during early and mid-lactation. Fifteen early lactating cows and 15 mid lactating cows were chosen for the investigation. Blood samples were collected to measure beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides (TG), glucose and the activity of aspartate transaminase (AST). Early lactation as compared to mid lactating cows were found to have significantly higher (P<0.05) blood serum concentrations of NEFA, BHB and AST and lower blood serum concentrations of glucose (P<0.05) and TG (P>0.05). Significantly negative correlations were observed between BHB and glucose (P<0.01), BHB and TG (P<0.05), NEFA and glucose (P<0.05). Significantly positive correlations were observed between NEFA and BHB (P<0.05), NEFA and AST (P<0.05), glucose and TG (P<0.01). The results suggest that these parameters can serve as useful indicators of the nutritional and metabolic status of dairy cows during lactation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 941 (1) ◽  
pp. 012036
Author(s):  
S V Moshkina ◽  
A S Kharitonova ◽  
S N Khimicheva ◽  
T Yu Kolganova ◽  
T V Smagina ◽  
...  

Abstract The paper presents the results of the scientific and economic experiment for the evaluation of the influence of the energy supplement included in the diet of lactating cows of the Brown Swiss breed. During the research period, all animals were kept in the same conditions, corresponding to zootechnical standards. They were divided into two groups differentiated only by the feed ration. The cows of the first (control) group were given rations typical for the farm corresponding to the feeding norms of dry and lactating cows. For the cows of the second group in the dry period (14 days before calving) the feeding ration was changed with a change in structure towards an increase in the proportion of concentrated feed, and immediately after calving, they received an energy feed supplement to maintain the physiological status of dairy cows after calving. Only clinically healthy animals participated in the experiment. It was revealed that the inclusion of the energy feed supplement in the diet of lactating cows in the experimental groups during lactation led to an increase in the productivity of livestock as compared with those in the control group.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Islam ◽  
MZ Islam ◽  
MA Islam ◽  
MS Rahman ◽  
MT Islam

This research was carried out to determine the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in lactating Dairy Cow of Bangladesh Agricultural University dairy farm (BAUDF) and rural areas of Tangail sadar upazila of Bangladesh during the period of July 2009 to April 2010. A total of 200 milk samples (40 from BAUDF and 160 from Tangail sadar upazila) were collected for this study which were subjected to physical examination and subsequently screened for subclinical mastitis using three indirect tests viz. White Side Test (WST), California Mastitis Test (CMT), and Surf Field Mastitis Test (SFMT). Overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis (SCM) in lactating dairy cows found in this study was 29%. Cows were infected with SCM 29.5%, 27.5% and 25.5% detection by CMT, WST and SFMT respectively. Higher prevalence of SCM was detected in milch crossbred cows (36.36%) in comparison to local bred cows (24.61%) maintained under extensive management system in Rural area of Tangail sadar upazila. The prevalence of SCM was recorded in 31.58%, 30.76% and 68.75% in cows of local area of Tangail sadar upazila, and 25.0%, 40.0% and 71.42% in cows of BAU,DF during the early, mid and late stages of lactation respectively. The highest prevalence of SCM was recorded during the early lactation stage in both the local breed cows (30.0%) and cows of BAUDF (45.83%) in comparison to their respective mid and late stages of lactation. The prevalence of SCM was highest in lactating cows having third lactation and high yielding (cows produced >10 liter milk per day) both in local breed and crossbred cows.DOI = http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v9i1.11216 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2011). 9(1): 73-78 


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 524 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Pacheco ◽  
S. Muetzel ◽  
S. Lewis ◽  
D. Dalley ◽  
M. Bryant ◽  
...  

Context Fodder beet (FB) is a popular feed for dairy cows in temperate climates due to its high yields, high digestibility, low nitrogen (N) content in the dry matter (DM) and convenience of feeding (grazing in situ). However, the risk of ruminal acidosis requires research to design feeding regimes that capture these benefits without compromising animal health. Aims To understand aspects of rumen function when FB is offered in conditions representative of practical feeding in temperate pastoral systems. Methods Two indoor experiments were undertaken; one with cows in late lactation fed fresh perennial ryegrass with three proportions of FB (0, 0.23 and 0.45) and another with non-lactating cows fed pasture silage with 0.65 FB or barley straw with 0.86 FB. Measurements included rumen pH, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and ammonia concentrations determined at 2-h intervals, as well as daily individual cow intakes, estimates of microbial growth and rumen dynamics. Key results The inclusion of 0, 0.23 and 0.45 FB with fresh pasture in the did not affect daily DM intakes (~14.6 kg), milk yield (~10.7 kg), microbial synthesis (129 g of N/d) or fractional outflow rates of digesta (0.16/h; 11.2 L/h) of lactating cows. The non-lactating cow ration comprising 0.86 FB with straw was inappropriate and resulted in low intakes and insufficient dietary N. Microbial growth was approximately one-third of that in cows fed pasture silage with 0.65 FB. The ruminal pH reached lower values in all treatments where FB was offered. Rumen ammonia concentrations averaged 4.4 mmol/L in cows fed pasture but was sometimes undetectable in lactating cows fed 0.45 FB and in non-lactating cows. The amount of FB in the diet affected the extent of the circadian changes in molar proportions of SCFA. Conclusions Based on the results presented here, feeding fresh FB to dairy cows should not exceed ~0.4 of their DMI with pasture (late lactation), or ~0.6 of their intake with silage (non-lactating). Implications These findings could support evidence-based recommendations for FB use, considering its effects on aspects of rumen function, such as microbial protein synthesis and pH.


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