Effects of supplemental calcium gluconate embedded in a hydrogenated fat matrix on lactation, digestive, and metabolic variables in dairy cattle

Abstract Several beneficial effects have been observed in the gastrointestinal tract in response to the provision of short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, including the improvement of gut barrier function, stimulation of epithelial cell proliferation and gastrointestinal homeostasis. By improving gut barrier integrity, it is possible that less energy would be spent mounting an immune response against infiltrating xenobiotic compounds, allowing for more energy to be partitioned towards productive activities, such as milk synthesis. Previous work has demonstrated that gluconic acid and its salts have a prebiotic effect in the lower gut in monogastric animals, where it acts as a substrate for butyrate synthesis, with new data suggesting a similar response in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of a fat-embedded calcium gluconate product on milk production in dairy cattle. Lactating heifers (n = 22) and cows (n = 53) were offered either a total mixed ration supplemented with 0.07% fat-embedded calcium gluconate or a negative control ration over the course of a full lactation. Milk production and dry matter intake were recorded daily, while milk composition was determined at regular intervals over the lactation. Cows receiving the supplement displayed significant (P ≤ 0.046) increases in milk and component yields, while consuming 1 kg DM/d more during lactation compared to control. Heifers receiving the supplement displayed decreased (P ≤ 0.044) yield of milk fat and fat-corrected milk, 0.09% increased milk protein content, and decreased feed efficiency. Overall, the results in multiparous animals are consistent with previous work examining calcium gluconate. Further work is needed to characterize the differential response in heifers.

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Effect of Subcutaneous Injection of Calcium Gluconate on Blood Calcium Concentration and Injection Tissue in Dairy Cattle

Journal of the Japan Veterinary Medical Association ◽

10.12935/jvma1951.59.184 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 59 (3) ◽

pp. 184-188

Author(s):

Taiki SIMIZU ◽

Kiyoshi TAGUCHI ◽

Akitoyo NISHIKAWA ◽

Masateru KOIWA

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Calcium Gluconate ◽

Subcutaneous Injection ◽

Calcium Concentration ◽

Blood Calcium

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231 Effect of fat-embedded calcium gluconate on lactation performance in high-yielding multiparous dairy cows in a commercial dairy setting

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.267 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 146-147

Author(s):

Dave J Seymour ◽

Michelle Carson ◽

Jean-Baptiste Daniel ◽

Victoria Sanz ◽

Javier Martín-Tereso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Calcium Gluconate ◽

Block Design ◽

Negative Control ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Lactation Performance ◽

Gut Barrier Function ◽

Performance Response

Abstract Fat-embedded calcium gluconate fed as a dietary supplement has previously been shown to increase milk and component yields in lactating dairy cattle in controlled experimental settings. These responses are thought to be due to improvements in gut barrier function and health driven by increased butyrate supply from the fermentation of calcium gluconate in the hindgut. The objectives of the current study were to validate the effects of a fat-embedded calcium gluconate supplement offered during late gestation and early lactation on milk production and milk component yields in a commercial setting. From April to December 2019, 151 multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were assigned to one of four treatment sequences in a randomized complete block design within a 2 x 2 factorial design (negative control or supplement prepartum, and negative control or supplement postpartum). Outcomes pertaining to milk production, component yields and health parameters were recorded for the first 100 days of lactation. Yields of milk and all components increased (P ≤ 0.045) in response to postpartum supplementation, in agreement with previous studies. Milk protein content was 0.03% lower (P = 0.003) in animals receiving the supplement prepartum. Additionally, prepartum supplementation diminished the lactation performance response relative to animals receiving supplementation in the postpartum period only; lactation performance was partially ameliorated by subsequent postpartum supplementation. Overall, these results support previous work examining the lactation performance response to fat-embedded calcium gluconate supplementation in dairy cattle. Future controlled studies examining the effects of prepartum supplementation on subsequent lactation performance are warranted.

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Effects of Retinoic Acid and 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on IFN-gamma Secretion by Mononuclear Leukocytes from Nulliparous and Postparturient Dairy Cattle

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831.70.3.92 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 70 (3) ◽

pp. 92-101 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Burim Ametaj ◽

Brian Nonnecke ◽

Ronald Horst ◽

Donald Beitz

Keyword(s):

Retinoic Acid ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Dairy Cow ◽

Pokeweed Mitogen ◽

Mononuclear Leukocytes ◽

Combined Effects ◽

Ifn Gamma ◽

Dihydroxyvitamin D ◽

1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D

Individual and combined effects of several isomers of retinoic acid (RA) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) on interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion by blood mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) from nulliparous and postparturient Holstein cattle were evaluated in vitro. In the first experiment, effects on incubation period (24 to 72 hours) and time of supplementation (0 to 32 hours) with all-trans, 9-cis, 13-cis-, and 9,13-dicis-RAs (0 to 100 nM) on IFN-gamma secretion by pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated (0 and 10 mug/ml) MNL from nulliparous cattle were evaluated. In the second experiment, MNL from postparturient cows (bled at 0, 2, 4, and 16 days postpartum) were stimulated with PWM (0 and 10 mug/ml) in the presence of RA isomers (9-cis- or 9,13-dicis-RA; 0 to 100 nM), 1,25-(OH)2D3 (0 to 100 nM), or with combinations of these metabolites. The results show that individual isomers of RA had no effect on IFN-gamma secretion by PWM-stimulated MNL from nulliparous or postparturient cows. Furthermore 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibited IFN-gamma secretion by MNL from nulliparous and postparturient dairy cows; however, the degree of inhibition was greater when 9-cis- and 9,13-dicis-RA were also present in the cultures. Finally mononuclear leukocytes from postparturient dairy cows produced substantially less IFN-gamma than did MNL from nulliparous cattle. It is concluded that retinoic acids individually did not affect the capacity of leukocytes from dairy cattle to secrete IFN-gamma. This result is in marked contrast to studies in monogastric species indicating that RAs inhibit IFN-gamma secretion by peripheral blood T cells. Inhibition of IFN-gamma secretion by 1,25-(OH)2D3 was potentiated by 9-cis- and 9,13-di-cis-retinoics acids, suggesting that an excess of dietary vitamins A and D may compromise further the naturally immunosuppressed postparturient dairy cow. Additional research is necessary to determine if the combined effects of these metabolites on IFN-gamma secretion represent an increased susceptibility of the dairy cow to infectious diseases during the periparturient period. Lower secretion of IFN-gamma by MNL from postpartutient dairy cows, relative to nulliparous cattle, suggests that recently-calved cows are naturally immunosuppressed.

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