​Effects of Rumen-protected Glucose Supplementation on Growth Performance, Body Measurements and Plasma Biochemical Indices of Fattening Chinese Simmental Bulls

Background: The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of rumen-protected glucose (RPG) supplementation on growth performance, body measurements and plasma biochemical indices of Simmental bulls in Northeast China during the fattening period. Methods: A 90 d feedlot study was conducted using thirty Simmental bulls (body weight = 444.3±26.9 kg). Bulls were randomly allocated into three groups to receive a basal total mixed ration (TMR) supplemented daily with 0 g RPG (control, Con), 100 g RPG (RPG100) or 300 g RPG (RPG300) per bull. Growth performance, body measurements and plasma biochemical indices were evaluated. Result: The greater ADG (P less than 0.05) and lower feed efficiency value (P less than 0.01) were found for bulls fed RPG compared to CON diet. Bulls fed RPG had increased body height and chest girth growth compared with CON diet (P less than 0.05). The plasma glucose (GLC) concentration was higher for bulls fed RPG300 diet than CON and RPG100 diets (P less than 0.01). Nonestesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was lower for RPG compared with CON treatment (P less than 0.05). Our analysis suggests that a daily supplement of 300 g RPG is an effective way to increase the body’s total GLC provision and thus improve the growth performance of Simmental bulls during the fattening period.

Increase in white blood cell counts by pegbovigrastim in primiparous and multiparous grazing dairy cows and the interaction with prepartum body condition score and non-esterified fatty acids concentration

The objective of this study was to determine if parity affected the effect of pegbovigrastim (PEG) treatment on white blood cell (WBC) counts in grazing dairy cows. Additionally, the association of prepartum body condition score (BCS) and non-esterified fatty acid (Pre-NEFA) concentration with WBC counts was investigated. The effect of early-lactation disease was included in the statistical analysis. A randomized controlled trial on four commercial grazing dairy farms was performed. Holstein primiparous (Control = 87, PEG = 89) and multiparous (Control = 181, PEG = 184) cows were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: first PEG dose 8 ± 5 (mean ± SD) days before the expected calving date and a second dose within 24 h after calving (PEG) compared to untreated controls (Control). Treatment effects were evaluated with mixed linear regression models. Treatment with PEG increased WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts at 6 ± 1 (mean ± SD) days in milk. Parity, BCS and their interactions with treatment were not associated with WBC counts. In control cows, Pre-NEFA concentration was associated with reduced WBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and tended to be associated with reduced monocyte counts. Pegbovigrastim treatment reversed the negative association of Pre-NEFA concentration with neutrophil and monocyte counts and tended to reverse the negative association of Pre-NEFA concentration with WBC counts. In the PEG treated group, cows diagnosed with retained placenta or metritis showed lower neutrophil counts when compared to PEG treated cows without these clinical diseases. These data confirm that PEG treatment increases WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts in grazing dairy cows and that this effect is independent of parity. Pegbovigrastim treatment reversed the negative association of Pre-NEFA concentration with neutrophil and monocyte counts, and tended to reverse the negative association of Pre-NEFA concentration with WBC counts.

Effect of pre-shipment preconditioning and injectable antioxidant trace elements (Cu, Mn, Se, Zn) and vitamins (A, E) on plasma metabolite and hormone concentrations and growth in weaned beef cattle

Weaning and transport represent a high stress time for calves. Preconditioning (PC) by weaning before the transport separate these stressors. The stressors generate oxidative stress, which can be reduced by mineral and vitamin supplementation (MVS) with an antioxidant capacity. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of PC and MVS on performance of steers. The experiment used a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement design, considering a 26-d PC treatment from weaning to transport to the feedlot (d 0); and injectable MVS on d -45, -26, and 0. The MVS consisted of Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, vitamin E (0.2, 0.8, 0.2, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg body weight (BW), respectively), and vitamin A (1190 IU/kg). Sixty Angus-crossbred steers (186.4 ± 27.6 kg) were randomly assigned to the four treatments (MVS+PC; N+PC; MVS+N; N+N; n = 15/treatment). Body weight (BW) was recorded on d -45, -26, 0, 8, 15, and 29. On d 0, an additional BW was taken 30 minutes after the 5-hour transportation (d 0.5). Between d 0 to 29, dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) to DMI ratio (G:F) were measured. Between d -26 to 29 plasma concentrations of glucose, free fatty acids (NEFA), cortisol, insulin, total antioxidant status (TAS), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with repeated measures, using treatment, time, and treatment × time as fixed effects, and steer as a random effect. Between d -26 to 0, there was an interaction of MVS × PC (P ˂ 0.01) for ADG. From d -26 to 0, N+N and N+PC had the greatest and lesser ADG, respectively. On d 0.5, no-PC steers tended to lose BW while the PC steers tended to gain BW (P = 0.09). In the period d 0 to 8, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.27) in DMI, but the PC steers had greater G:F and ADG (P < 0.01) compared with no-PC steers. Plasma NEFA concentration on d 0 was affected by MVS×PC (P < 0.01), because MVS decreased plasma NEFA concentration in no-PC steers, but it increased in the PC steers. Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and cortisol did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.23). There was a MVS×PC interaction (P = 0.09) for TAS on d 0; N+N had the greatest and MVS+N had the lowest TAS concentrations. In conclusion, a 26-d PC decreased steers BW compared with no-PC steers. The BW loss during preconditioning was not recovered 29-d after feedlot entry. Despite this BW loss, MVS treatment decreased BW loss in the steers allocated to PC treatment on the day of transport.

Association between metabolic indicators and clinical endometritis during the transition period in Brown Swiss cows

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between the serum macromineral, metabolite profiles, and the clinical endometritis during the transition period in Brown Swiss dairy cows. Sixty Brown Swiss dairy cows were used in the present study. Blood samples collected at d 10 (± 4) antepartum and 3, 10 and 30 (± 4) days in milk (DIM) to determine calcium (Ca), phosphorus, glucose, cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels. Beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) concentration measured during the postpartum period. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to determine the cow-level thresholds for the subsequent development of clinical endometritis. In addition, pairwise comparisons were made of the area under the curve (AUC) of ROC curves for the thresholds of NEFA, Ca, and glucose predicting clinical endometritis. The mean Ca concentration at 3 DIM was 8.85 ± 0.20 mg/dL in healthy cows compared to 8.30 ± 0.22 mg/dL in cows that subsequently developed endometritis (P < 0.05). NEFA concentrations at 10 DIM and BHB concentration at 10 and 30 ± 4 DIM were higher (P < 0.05) in cows that subsequently developed endometritis. Serum NEFA concentration at 10 days postpartum is the best predictor for diagnosis of clinical endometritis with the AUC values of 0.741. The cows with clinical endometritis also had significantly higher values of glucose at 3 DIM and lower BCS at 10 DIM (P < 0.05). While 58.6% of the cows that developed clinical endometritis were cyclic, 64.5% were cyclic in healthy cows at 30 ± 4 DIM. Serum NEFA concentration was the only risk factor for clinical endometritis at 10 DIM. In addition, a decrease in serum Ca at 3 DIM and increase in NEFA and BHB concentrations at 10 and 30 ± 4 DIM may be associated with clinical endometritis and delayed resumption activity on the ovaries.

PSVI-21 Effect of preconditioning pre-shipment and injectable antioxidant trace elements and vitamins on growth, antioxidant status, and plasma metabolites and insulin concentration in weaned beef cattle

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of weaning preconditioning and parenteral supplementation of minerals and vitamin on growth and plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), glucose, NEFA, and insulin concentrations, in calves at feedlot arrival. Sixty male Angus-cross calves were randomly assigned to 4 treatments (n=15/treatment). Treatments were arranged in a 2x2 factorial design; the main factors were mineral and vitamins supplementation (supplementation (S) vs no supplementation (NS)), and preconditioning (preconditioning (P) vs. not (NP)). Supplementation was applied subcutaneously on d -45, -26 and 0 and provided Cu, Mn, Se, Zn, and vitamins A and E (Adaptador Min-Vit ®, Biogénesis Bagó). Preconditioning consisted in a 26-day period between weaning and transportation at feedlot (d0) with the animals remaining in the same location. Blood samples were collected on d -26, 0 and 15. Animals were weighted on d-45, -26, 0, 8, 15 and 29. On d0 calves were load into a truck and drove for 5-hours to the feedlot. Data were analyzed using a mixed model as a 2x2 factorial, using repeated measurements. Body weight was greater on d 0, 8 15 and 29 group on groups NP, followed by S-P, and the lowest for NS-P (Triple interaction P &lt; 0.01). Treatment did not affect (P ˃ 0.1) plasma insulin and glucose concentrations. There was a triple interaction (P &lt; 0.08) for plasma TAS and NEFA concentration. Plasma TAS concentration was grater due to a decrease in its concentration for the S-P and NS-NP from d0 to d8, but not in the other treatments. Plasma NEFA concentration had the greater increase in the NP groups followed by S-NP on d0. In conclusion, 26-days precondition weaning decrease body weight compare with a traditional weaning. Mineral and vitamin supplementation in precondition weaning partially reduced that effect

Effects of supplementation with combination of polyunsaturated oils in diet of horses in maintenance and during marcha training

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with polyunsaturated oil on lipid and mineral blood biomarkers in two different groups of horses. Was used 6 healthy horses in maintenance (MT-g) and 10 healthy horses in marcha gait training (GT-g). The MT-g and the GT-g received 100mL and 300mL/day/animal of combination of polyunsaturated oils, respectively, during 8 weeks. Blood was collected in pre-test and after 4 and 8 weeks, after overnight fasting and it was measured: total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, NEFA, LPS, glycerol, Ca, P, Mg, and Cl. The supplementation produced significant increase in NEFA and reduction in lipase in both groups. In addition, the LPS content in both groups had a large decrease (~35%) from the pre-test to the 8th week of supplementation. In the MT-g, the LDL cholesterol and glycerol increased significantly after 4 weeks but returned to the pre-test levels after 8 weeks, and the triglyceride content decreased (~62%) after 4 weeks. The total cholesterol concentration in the GT-g increased after 4 weeks (~70%), but after 8 weeks it decreased to levels similar to those observed in the pre-test. The mineral biomarkers increased in the MT-g and GT-g, after 8 weeks. In the MT-g and in the GT-g, Ca decreased. In conclusion, supplementation with a combination of polyunsaturated oils increased NEFA concentration and reduced LPS activity in both groups, unlike the concentrations of the other biomarkers that showed different variations between groups, indicating that both NEFA and LPS the changes in their concentrations during supplementation may be more sensitive and more indicated for these types of evaluation. In addition, some blood mineral concentrations reduced significantly in both groups of horses, and thus, they need to be evaluated in horses under chronic oil supplementation

Mid-Infrared Spectroscopic Analysis of Raw Milk to Predict the Blood Plasma Non-Esterified Fatty Acid Concentration in Dairy Cows

ABSTRACTIn high yielding dairy cattle, severe postpartum negative energy status is often associated with metabolic and infectious disorders that negatively affect production, fertility and welfare. Mobilization of adipose tissue associated with a negative energy status is reflected through an increased level of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in the blood plasma. Earlier, identification of a negative energy status through the detection of increased blood plasma NEFA concentration required laborious and stressful blood sampling. More recently there have been attempts to predict blood NEFA concentration from milk samples. This study aimed to develop and validate a model to predict the blood plasma NEFA concentration using milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectra that are routinely measured in the context of milk recording. To this end, blood plasma and milk samples were collected in weeks 2, 3 and 20 post-partum for 192 lactations in 3 different herds. The blood plasma samples were taken in the morning, while representative milk samples were collected during the morning and evening milk session on the same day. To predict the blood plasma NEFA concentration from the milk MIR spectra, partial least squares regression models were trained on part of the observations from the first herd. The models were then thoroughly validated on all other observations of the first herd and on the observations of the two independent herds to explore their robustness and wide applicability. The final model can accurately predict blood plasma NEFA concentrations below 0.6 mmol/L with a root mean square error of prediction (RMSE) of less than 0.143 mmol/L. However, for blood plasma with more than 1.2 mmol/L NEFA, the model clearly underestimates the true level. Additionally, it was found that morning blood plasma NEFA levels were predicted with a significantly higher accuracy (p = 0.009) using MIR spectra of evening milk samples compared to morning samples, with RMSEP values of respectively 0.182 and 0.197 mmol/L and R2 values of 0.613 and 0.502. These results suggest a time delay between variations in blood plasma NEFA and related milk biomarkers. Based on the MIR spectra of evening milk samples, cows at risk for a negative energy status, indicated with detrimental morning blood plasma NEFA levels (> 0.6 mmol/L), could be identified with a sensitivity and specificity of respectively 0.831 and 0.800. As this model can be applied to millions of historical and future milk MIR spectra, it opens opportunities for regular metabolic screening and improved resilience phenotyping.

Level and source of fat in the diet of gestating beef cows: I. Effects on the prepartum performance of the dam and birth weight of the progeny1

A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of level and source of fat in the diet of gestating beef cows on their prepartum performance and birth weight of progeny. Each year, 75 multiparous (≥3 calving) pregnant Angus cows were stratified by BW (663 ± 21.5 kg) and BCS (2.6 ± 0.12; 1 to 5 scale) and randomly assigned to 1 of 15 outdoor pens. Subsequently, each pen was randomly assigned to 1 of 3 (n = 5) treatments: a low-fat diet (LF; 1.4 ± 0.12% EE) consisting of grass-legume hay, barley straw, and barley grain, or 1 of 2 high-fat diets (HF; 3.3 ± 0.20% EE) that included either a canola seed (CAN) or a flaxseed (FLX) based pelleted feed. Diets were formulated to meet the requirements of pregnant beef cows during the last 2 trimesters of gestation (0.183 ± 4.8 d), adjusted for changes in environmental conditions, and offered such that each pen on average received similar daily amounts of DE (31.2 ± 2.8 Mcal/cow), CP (1.36 ± 0.13 kg/cow), and DM (12.9 ± 1.0 kg/cow). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with contrasts to separate the effects of level (LF vs. HF) and source (CAN vs. FLX) of fat. After 160 d on trial, conceptus corrected-BW (CC-BW) of LF cows (708 kg) and the proportion of overconditioned cows (13.2%) were greater (P ≤ 0.04) than those of HF, with no difference (P ≥ 0.84) between CAN and FLX for CC-BW (697 kg) and proportion of overconditioned cows (3.6% vs. 2.9%). Feeding FLX diet during gestation resulted in cows with a greater (P ≤ 0.01) concentration of conjugated linolenic acid (0.12% vs. 0.05%) and n-3 (0.58% vs. 0.37%) fatty acids, and a tendency (P = 0.09) for conjugated linoleic acid concentration (1.05% vs. 0.88%) to be greater in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) when compared with cows fed the CAN diet. By the end of gestation, serum NEFA concentration of LF cows (592 µEq/L) was lower (P < 0.01) than that of HF cows, and FLX cows had greater (P < 0.01) serum NEFA concentration than CAN cows (636 vs. 961 µEq/L). Cows receiving the LF diet during gestation gave birth to lighter (P < 0.01) calves compared with those receiving the HF diets (40.2 vs. 42.9 kg), with no difference (P = 0.24) between calves born to CAN (42.4 kg) and FLX (43.3 kg) cows. In conclusion, these results suggest a partitioning of the ME in pregnant beef cows that is dependent on the type of dietary energy, resulting in heavier calves at birth for cows fed high-fat diets. Also, the type of fatty acid in the diet of gestating beef cows affected the fatty acid profile in SCAT and serum NEFA concentration.

Changes in blood glucose and plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in relation to body condition scores in periparturient purebred Sahiwal cows

The blood glucose and the plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were estimated during extended transition period (56 days prepartum to 84 days postpartum) in relation to body condition scores in 26 purebred Sahiwal cows, 13 cows each from two farms i.e. the BMEF and CBF, Anjora, Durg, Chhattisgarh. BMEF herd concentrate was not fed to the animals during prepartum stage. In BMEF, the mean BCS at periodical intervals was significantly less than that of CBF herd throughout the transition period. The postpartum mean unit loss in BCS of the cows of BMEF herd (0.54±0.09) was significantly higher than that of CBF cows (0.52±0.09). The unit change in BCS was higher in magnitude till 42 days post partum in the cows of BMEF whereas it was lower in the cows of CBF. Non significantly higher mean blood glucose concentration was observed in the cows of BMEF (61.46±16 mg/dl) than the cows of CBF. The blood glucose level in both the herds was lower than as fore set range. The post partum mean NEFA concentration (0.138±0.015 mM/l) were significantly (P less than 0.01) higher than prepartum mean NEFA concentration (0.089±0.11mM/l) in BMEF cows however in CBF cows it remained same and differed non significantly. The overall mean plasma NEFA concentration in BMEF (0.116±0.010 mM/l) were significantly (P less than 0.01) higher than those of CBF (0.050±0.005 mM/l). In the cows of BMEF, NEFA value was higher than that of CBF and hence indicated a trend of reduction in BCS after calving. During prepartum period in BMEF and CBF cows, blodd glucose and plasma NEFA were negatively (with low “r”) correlated with BCS.