Effect of Natural Chinese Herbal Supplements (TCMF4) on Lactation Performance and Serum Biomarkers in Peripartal Dairy Cows

This study examined the effect of mixed medicinal herbs from China in the ground form on milk yield and various blood metabolites before and after parturition in Holstein cows. Crushed Agastache rugosus, Scutellaria barbata, Pericarpium citri reticulate, and Radix glycyrrhizae were used to develop TCMF4. Thirty-two Chinese Holstein cows were randomly divided into a control group or groups receiving 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 kg TCMF4/cow/d from −7 through 21 d relative to parturition. Blood samples for serum isolation were collected at −7, −1, 1, 7, 14, and 21 d relative to parturition and used to measure glucose, β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), total protein, albumin, globulin, and alkaline phosphatase. Milk production was recorded daily for the first 21 d postpartum, and composition was analyzed at 7, 14, and 21 d. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for multiple comparisons. The average milk production during the first 21-d postpartum was 28.7 ± 6.9, 27.2 ± 7.1, 31.2 ± 6.8, and 38.5 ± 6.1 kg/d for control group and groups receiving 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 kg TCMF4. Thus, average daily milk production increased between 9 to 34% by supplementation with TCMF4 compared with the control group. Compared with the control group, in the middle dose group, milk concentrations of lactose and total protein decreased by 21 and 19%, respectively, at d 7 around parturition, while total solids increased by 23% at d 21 in the high-dose group. Furthermore, compared with the control group, serum BHBA decreased by 50 and 20% at d −1 and 21 around parturition in the high-dose group. Overall, TCMF4 supplementation improved dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production of dairy cows during the periparturient period without adverse effects on liver function, and plasma BHBA concentrations of dairy cows tended to decrease when dietary TCMF4 increased, which suggested that TCMF4 might be used as potential additives in dairy cows to improve production performance.

Milk Production of Dairy Cows Fed Grass-Clover Silage Pulp

Silage pulp (SP) is a byproduct from biorefinary of silage that can be used as forage source for ruminants. However, there is a lack of information regarding the complete replacement of dietary silage for SP on performance of dairy cows. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the complete substitution of dietary grass-clover silage for SP on milk production of dairy cows. Grass-clover mixture was harvested, wilted, and ensiled in bunker silos. The silage was screw pressed in a biorefinery for solid (SP) and liquid (protein-rich juice) separation. Seventy-two lactating cows were used in a completely randomized block design, receiving either the original silage- or SP-based diets. The SP-based diet had lower concentrations of water-soluble carbohydrates and crude protein but greater fibre concentration compared to the silage-based diet. Milk yield and energy corrected milk were generally greater for cows receiving the silage-based diet compared to the SP-based diet. Cows receiving the silage-based diet had a greater yields of milk protein and milk fat, and tended to have a greater yield of milk lactose than cows receiving the SP-based diet. Milk composition, body condition score and body weight were not affected by diets. The complete substitution of silage for SP reduced the lactation performance of dairy cows over time.

OMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE TIME-BASED PARAMETERS OF COWS’ LACTATION PERFORMANCE WITH THE USE OF AN AUTOMATIC DEVICE

Проведена сравнительная оценка времени пребывания коров-первотелок в доильном боксе с минимальной, максимальной и средней продолжительностью молоковыведения из всех четвертей вымени высоко- и низкопродуктивных при доении на автоматической установке «Astronaut A». У высокопродуктивных животных по сравнению с низкопродуктивными установлено увеличение длительности исследуемых четырех периодов молоковыведения на 34,5—60,6%. Между изученными временными параметрами молоковыведения выявлена тесная взаимосвязь (r=0,69-0,98; P<0,001). Выведено уравнение регрессии между периодом доения, рассчитанного путем определения максимальной продолжительности выдаивания одной из четвертей вымени, и средней продолжительностью молоковыведения из всех четвертей вымени (r=0,96; P<0,001). Установлено, что доля технологических операций, не связанных с процессом молоковыведения, составляет 24,1—31,6% от длительности периода пребывания в доильном боксе. Показана возможность использования для оценки интенсивности молоковыведения на автоматической установке «Astronaut A4» наряду с продолжительностью пребывания коровы в доильном боксе показателей максимальной и минимальной продолжительности молоковыведения из одной четверти вымени, а также средней продолжительности молоковыведения из всех четвертей вымени у высоко- и низкопродуктивных коров. Comparative assessment of the time of stay of first-calf cows in a milking box with minimum, maximum, and average duration of milk production from all udder quarters with high and low productivity when milked using the Astronaut A automatic device was carried out. When compared to low-productive animals, high-productive ones showed the increase in duration of the studied milk production periods by 34.5—60.6%. Close relationship between the time-based parameters of milk production was established (r=0.69-0.98; P<0.001). Equation of regression between the milking period, calculated by determining the maximum milking duration of one of the four udder quarters, and the average duration of milk production from all four udder quarters (r=0.96; P<0.001) was derived. It was established that the share of technological operations not connected to milk production process amounts to 24.1—31.6% from the duration of stay in the milking box. The possibility for using the parameters of maximum and minimal duration of milk production from one of udder quarters, as well as the average duration of milk production from all four quarters of the udder in high- and low-productive cows along with the length of cow’s stay in the milking box for the evaluation of milk production intensity using the Astronaut A4 automatic device was shown.

The effects of precisely meeting estimated daily energy and lysine requirements for gestating sows over three consecutive pregnancies on sow reproductive and lactation performance

The objective of the current study was to determine effects of precisely meeting estimated daily energy and Lys requirements for gestating sows over three consecutive pregnancies on sow reproductive and lactation performance. A total of 105 sows (initial reproductive cycle 1.4±0.5) were randomly assigned to a precision (PF; n=50) or control (CON; n=55) feeding program between d 2 and 9 of gestation and housed in group-pens equipped with electronic sow feeders capable of blending two diets. The PF sows received unique daily blends of two isocaloric diets [2518 kcal/kg NE; 0.80 and 0.20% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys, respectively] while CON sows received a static blend throughout gestation to achieve 0.56% SID Lys. After weaning, sows were re-bred and entered the same feeding program as in the previous pregnancy for two subsequent pregnancy cycles (PF: n=36; CON: n=37; average reproductive cycle: 2.4±0.5; PF: n=25; CON: n=24; average reproductive cycle: 3.5±0.5). Sows on the PF program received 97, 105, and 118 % (average over three pregnancy cycles) of dietary energy and 67, 79, and 106 % of SID Lys intakes compared to CON between d 5 and 37, 38 and 72, and 73 and 108 of gestation, respectively. Estimated N (26.1 %) retention did not differ between gestation feeding programs in any pregnancy, but excess N excretion was less (1617 vs. 1750 ± 54 g/sow; P &lt; 0.01) for PF versus CON sows. Regardless of pregnancy cycle, sows that received the PF program had greater ADG between d 38 and 72 (614 vs. 518 ± 63 g/d; P &lt; 0.05) and between d 73 and 108 (719 vs. 618 ± 94 g/d; P = 0.063) of gestation, and greater loin depth gain between d 63 and 110 of gestation (0.7 vs. -1.1 ± 1.6 mm; P &lt; 0.05), but BW (235.1 kg) and backfat (17.8 mm) and loin (70.5 mm) depths on d 110 of gestation did not differ. The number of piglets born alive, stillborn, and mummified, and litter birth weight (16.5 kg) did not differ in any pregnancy cycle, nor did piglet ADG during lactation (250 g/d) and piglet BW (6.7 kg) at weaning. Sows that received the PF program during gestation had lower ADFI during lactation (5.7 vs. 6.2 ± 0.2 kg; P &lt; 0.01). Therefore, using feeding programs that precisely match estimated daily energy and Lys requirements for gestating sows provides the opportunity to reduce N losses to the environment and reduce lactation feed usage, without negatively affecting sow reproductive and lactation performance.

Long-term and combined effects of N-[2-(nitrooxy)ethyl]-3-pyridinecarboxamide and fumaric acid on methane production, rumen fermentation, and lactation performance in dairy goats

Background In recent years, nitrooxy compounds have been identified as promising inhibitors of methanogenesis in ruminants. However, when animals receive a nitrooxy compound, a high portion of the spared hydrogen is eructated as gas, which partly offsets the energy savings of CH4 mitigation. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the long-term and combined effects of supplementation with N-[2-(nitrooxy)ethyl]-3-pyridinecarboxamide (NPD), a methanogenesis inhibitor, and fumaric acid (FUM), a hydrogen sink, on enteric CH4 production, rumen fermentation, bacterial populations, apparent nutrient digestibility, and lactation performance of dairy goats. Results Twenty-four primiparous dairy goats were used in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: supplementation without or with FUM (32 g/d) or NPD (0.5 g/d). All samples were collected every 3 weeks during a 12-week feeding experiment. Both FUM and NPD supplementation persistently inhibited CH4 yield (L/kg DMI, by 18.8% and 18.1%, respectively) without negative influence on DMI or apparent nutrient digestibility. When supplemented in combination, no additive CH4 suppression was observed. FUM showed greater responses in increasing the molar proportion of propionate when supplemented with NPD than supplemented alone (by 10.2% vs. 4.4%). The rumen microbiota structure in the animals receiving FUM was different from that of the other animals, particularly changed the structure of phylum Firmicutes. Daily milk production and serum total antioxidant capacity were improved by NPD, but the contents of milk fat and protein were decreased, probably due to the bioactivity of absorbed NPD on body metabolism. Conclusions Supplementing NPD and FUM in combination is a promising way to persistently inhibit CH4 emissions with a higher rumen propionate proportion. However, the side effects of this nitrooxy compound on animals and its residues in animal products need further evaluation before it can be used as an animal feed additive.

Effect of Heat Stress on Bovine Mammary Cellular Metabolites and Gene Transcription Related to Amino Acid Metabolism, Amino Acid Transportation and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Signaling

Heat stress (HS) is one of the most serious factors to negatively affect the lactation performance of dairy cows. Bovine mammary epithelial cells are important for lactation. It was demonstrated that HS decreases the lactation performance of dairy cows, partly through altering gene expression within bovine mammary epithelial tissue. However, the cellular metabolism mechanisms under HS remains largely unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether HS induced changes in intracellular metabolites and gene transcription related to amino acid metabolism, amino acid transportation and the mTOR signaling pathway. Immortalized bovine mammary epithelial cell lines (MAC-T cells, n = 5 replicates/treatment) were incubated for 12 h at 37 °C (Control group) and 42 °C (HS group). Relative to the control group, HS led to a greater mRNA expression of heat shock protein genes HSF1, HSPB8, HSPA5, HSP90AB1 and HSPA1A. Compared with the control group, metabolomics using liquid chromatography tandem–mass spectrometry identified 417 differential metabolites with p < 0.05 and a variable importance in projection (VIP) score >1.0 in the HS group. HS resulted in significant changes to the intracellular amino acid metabolism of glutathione, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, isoleucine, arginine, proline, cysteine, methionine, alanine, aspartate and glutamate. HS led to a greater mRNA expression of the amino acid transporter genes SLC43A1, SLC38A9, SLC36A1, and SLC3A2 but a lower mRNA expression of SLC7A5 and SLC38A2. Additionally, HS influenced the expression of genes associated with the mTOR signaling pathway and significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of mTOR, AKT, RHEB, eIF4E and eEF2K but decreased the mRNA expression of TSC1, TSC2 and eEF2 relative to the control group. Compared with the control group, HS also led to greater mRNA expression of the CSN1S2 gene. Overall, our study indicates that bovine mammary epithelial cells may have the ability to resist HS damage and continue milk protein synthesis partly through enhanced intracellular amino acid absorption and metabolism and by activating the mTOR signaling pathway during HS.

Regulation of Milk Protein Synthesis by Free and Peptide-Bound Amino Acids in Dairy Cows

Milk protein (MP) synthesis in the mammary gland of dairy cows is a complex biological process. As the substrates for protein synthesis, amino acids (AAs) are the most important nutrients for milk synthesis. Free AAs (FAAs) are the main precursors of MP synthesis, and their supplies are supplemented by peptide-bound AAs (PBAAs) in the blood. Utilization of AAs in the mammary gland of dairy cows has attracted the great interest of researchers because of the goal of increasing MP yield. Supplying sufficient and balanced AAs is critical to improve MP concentration and yield in dairy cows. Great progress has been made in understanding limiting AAs and their requirements for MP synthesis in dairy cows. This review focuses on the effects of FAA and PBAA supply on MP synthesis and their underlying mechanisms. Advances in our knowledge in the field can help us to develop more accurate models to predict dietary protein requirements for dairy cows MP synthesis, which will ultimately improve the nitrogen utilization efficiency and lactation performance of dairy cows.

509 Late-Breaking: Effect of a Sensory Additive on Sow Reproductive Performance

The addition of a sensory additive to sow diets during the summer improved feed intake during lactation, and litter performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the sensory additive on sow lactation performance during cooler temperatures. Three consecutive groups (n = 61 total) of sows were farrowed during winter (October, December and January). Sows were weighed, and back fat depth was measured, at 110 d of gestation prior to entering the lactation room, and again at weaning. The sows were sorted by parity, and then allotted by BW at d 110 to Control or 0.075% sensory additive (Luctamax® SowVive, Lucta S.A., Spain). Experimental diets were offered upon entry to the lactation room and fed through weaning. Feed disappearance was recorded every three days. Sows were fed 2.72 kg/head/day until farrowing, and then allowed to eat ad libitum from 24 hours post-farrowing until weaning. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS as an RCBD with treatment as the fixed effect and group as a random effect. No differences were observed on sows feed intake (P &gt; 0.4), 10th rib backfat thickness change (P = 0.632) and body weight change from d 110 of gestation to weaning (P = 0.65, Table 1). Sows fed the sensory additive lowered preweaning mortality by 4.9% (P = 0.051), and weaned an additional 1.42 piglets (P = 0.026) with similar weaning weights (P = 0.86) when compared to control. In conclusion, in the current study, lactation diets supplemented with a sensory additive improved litter performance and helped maintain sow body condition.

PSXII-25 Effects of level and source of dietary forage on performance of lactating Alpine goats

Thirty-two primiparous and 32 multiparous Alpine goats consumed diets varying in level and source of forage to determine influences on lactation performance. Diets were 40, 50, 60, and 70% forage (40F, 50F, 60F, and 70F, respectively), with forage in 60F and 70F being coarsely ground grass hay (primarily orchardgrass) and that in 40F and 50F cottonseed hulls, alfalfa pellets, and wheat hay. Initial body weight was 56.1±1.22 and 58.3±1.33 kg for primiparous and multiparous goats, respectively. Diets were 15.7–16.1% crude protein, 40.5, 45.9, 57.1, and 59.6% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 6.1, 7.4, 4.6, and 5.0% acid detergent lignin, 10.0, 15.8, 50.1, and 55.5% particle retention on a 19-mm sieve, and 28.1, 32.4, 41.9, and 43.2% physically effective NDF for 40F, 50F, 60F, and 70F, respectively. The experiment started at 14 days-in-milk and lasted 16 wk. Average daily gain was similar (P &gt; 0.05) among treatments (-23, -33, -28, and -28 g; SEM=1.11), but dry matter intake [(DMI) 2.71, 2.75, 1.96, and 1.95 kg/d, SEM=0.133] and milk yield (2.82, 2.71, 2.23, and 2.10 kg/d; SEM=0.157) were lower (P &lt; 0.05) for the 2 diets highest in forage. Treatments affected (P &lt; 0.05) milk fat (3.16, 3.37, 2.93, and 2.97%; SEM=0.120) and protein concentrations (2.62, 2.69, 2.58, and 2.52% for 40F, 50F, 60F, and 70F, respectively; SEM=0.042). Milk energy yield was greater (P &lt; 0.05) for the 2 diets highest in concentrate (7.51, 7.45, 5.68, and 5.34 MJ/d; SEM=0.471), although relative to DMI yield was not affected (P &gt; 0.05) by diet (2.94, 2.95, 2.76, and 2.74 MJ/kg for 40F, 50F, 60F, and 70F, respectively (SEM=0.164) and was greater (P &lt; 0.05) for multiparous vs. primiparous goats (2.64 and 3.05 MJ/kg; SEM=0.116). In conclusion, lactational performance of Alpine goats in early to mid-lactation will be constrained with diets high in forage of moderate quality and large particle size.