The Effect of Lactation Stage on the Hematological and Serum-Related Biochemical Parameters of the Travnik Pramenka Ewes

The aim of the present research was to determine the hematological and biochemical parameters of the Travnik pramenka ewes during lactation. Thirty‐six ewes in average age of 3-5 years were included in the research. They were monitored in three stages of lactation: early, medium, and late stage. The WBC and RBC, HGB concentration, HCT and MCH values increased significantly as lactation progressed, while significant decrease of MCV and MCHC was determined in blood. HCT was slightly higher in the early compared to late stage, and the MCH in the medium compared to the late stage of lactation. A significant increase in the concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, Na and Cl, as well as a decrease of the Fe concentration was determined. As lactation progressed, the concentrations of urea, total proteins, albumin, globulin and BHB increased, as well as ALT activity. Contrary, concentrations of glucose and NEFA decreased, as well as GGT activity. Obtained results may help in monitoring the health and nutritional status of Travnik ewes. The effect of lactation stage needs to be included in the model when preparing the reference values for the blood parameters of Travnik pramenka ewes, particularly for RBC profiles, energy, and protein metabolites as well as liver enzymes.

Alterations in the Hemato-biochemical, Endocrine, Somatic Cell Count and Milk Composition in Lactating Tarai Buffaloes during Different Lactation Stages

Background: Tarai buffalo is indigenous buffalo breed of Uttarakhand state, dual purpose, well adapt to hot-humid climatic condition of Tarai area. This study aimed to evaluate the alterations in the hemato-biochemical, endocrine, milk somatic cell count and milk composition in lactating Tarai buffaloes. Methods: Thirty-six healthy Tarai buffaloes were selected from four different Gujjar farms and divided into four groups consisting nine buffaloes in each group as early (60±30 days), mid (120±30 days) and late (180±30 days) lactation stages and dry buffaloes. Both blood and milk samples were collected once from each lactation stage of selected animals. Hematological parameters and milk composition were evaluated by standard procedures and methods. Biochemical and endocrine parameters were evaluated using commercially available kits as per manufacturer’s protocol. Milk somatic cell count (SCC) was done by direct microscopic counts using Newman Lampert stain. Result: It observed significantly (p less than 0.05) higher TLC value but lower plasma glucose, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus and urea levels during early lactation stage. Significantly (p less than 0.05) declined in plasma total protein during late lactation stage and triglyceride in dry cows. Plasma hormone significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in cortisol during early lactation while higher T4 and insulin in late lactation stages. Milk fat, urea and total solids were significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased during early lactation and again increased during late lactation while milk SCC significantly (p less than 0.05) higher during early and late lactation stages.

Risk factors associated with subclinical mastitis in dairy cows reared in district Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir

Subclinical mastitis is associated with certain risk factors such as age, lactation stage, milk production and parity. A cross sectional study including 135 cross bred Holstein Friesian dairy cows was undertaken from June 2017 to January 2019 in surrounding villages of district Ganderbal in order to identify major risk factors. The overall prevalence of SCM was 81.48%. The highest prevalence of subclinical mastitis associated with various risk factors was 48.1% (early lactation), 44.54% (5-7 years), 49.09% (>10 litres per day) and 30.90% (3rd parity) respectively. In intensive system of rearing, prevalence was 66.36% whereas in extensive 33.63% was found. In present study, single quarter was affected in 61.81% of SCM infections. In milking method, knuckling and stripping showed more incidence of SCM. In present study, moderate form of mastitis was more predominant (40.9%).

Changes in the concentrations of selected toxic and essential elements in ewe milk from area with a potentially undisturbed environment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lactation on the concentration of selected essential and toxic elements in sheep milk from an area of Slovakia with a potentially undisturbed environment and to find out the actual contamination of the selected area, in the aspect of its environmental character. The research was conducted with 400 sheep (Tsigai breed), and the milk samples were taken during the lactation periods (early, middle and late lactation stage). Sheep were reared on the extensive pastures, reared indoors afterward, fed with pasture ad libitum. Milk samples were collected after morning and afternoon milking. The samples of milk were analysed toxic and essential elements (Ca, Se, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb) by the method of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The macro elements concentration in milk changes following the stages of lactation (p<0.05). There was found that Ca milk concentration increased gradually in the following stages of lactation while Mg, Se, and Fe only in the last stage of lactation. The Zn concentration in milk was the highest during summer (p<0.05). Simultaneously the contents of essential elements (Cu) and toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb) in milk were very low, below the limit of quantification. In conclusion, ewe's milk from potentially analysed areas of Slovakia is safe and poses no risk to consumer health, and is suitable for use directly or in dairy processing.

Development of an advanced flow cytometry based high-resolution immunophenotyping method to benchmark early immune response in dairy cows

The determination of the somatic cell count of a milk sample is one of the most common methods to monitor udder health of a dairy cow. However, this procedure does not take into account the fact that cells in milk present a great variety of different cell types. The objective of our study was to establish a high-resolution differential cell count (HRDCC) by means of flow cytometry in blood and milk. We were able to detect ten subpopulations among the three main populations of immune cells and to determine their viability. Additionally, blood samples were analyzed for common laboratory biomarkers, i.e. differential blood counts, haptoglobin levels and several metabolic parameters. In this first feasibility study, we used three different vaccines to stimulate the immune system of five healthy cows each. Samples were collected shortly before, in between and after the vaccinations. Using multivariate statistical methods we saw a diagnostic benefit when HRDCCs were included compared to only the standard laboratory parameters. The impacts of all three vaccinations on the immune system were visible in blood HRDCCs as well as in milk HRDCCs. Cluster of Differentiation 8+ (CD8+) T cells, B cells and monocyte/macrophage subpopulations were among the most important and statistically relevant parameters for all treatments in both biofluids. Moreover, in one of the treatment groups intermediate monocytes showed a significant increase after both vaccinations. Although the use of HRDCC in blood or milk was shown to be highly relevant for early systemic diagnostic, to confirm these subpopulations further investigations in cows of different breed, lactation stage or health status are required.

Associations among Farm, Breed, Lactation Stage and Parity, Gene Polymorphisms and the Fatty Acid Profile of Milk from Holstein, Simmental and Their Crosses

This study aimed to analyze the factors affecting the fatty acid (FA) profile in cow’s milk. The effects of a farm, lactation parity and stage, breed and polymorphisms in the AGPAT6, DGAT1, LEP, FASN and SCD1 genes were evaluated. A total of 196 Holstein cows, 226 Simmental cows and seven crosses were sampled 751 times. The cows were kept at five farms and were in the first up to the sixth lactation, and 49 individual FAs and 11 groups were analyzed. The farm significantly affected the proportion of all FAs except for C16:1n-7c and isoC14:0. Additionally, the lactation stage was significant for most FAs, and the opposite was true for lactation parity. The effect of the breed was negligible. For the gene polymorphisms, the SCD1 TT genotype exceeded the CC in C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C16:1n-7c and C18:2, and the opposite was true for C10:1, C12:1, C14:1n-5c, isoC17:0, C16:1 and C18:1, i.e., the TT genotype was better for saturated FAs, and the CC genotype was better for monounsaturated FAs. The results hint at the intermediary heredity of the SCD1 gene. The FASN gene was strongly associated with four FAs and branched-chain FAs, and genotype AG was better than GG. LEP was significant for five individual FAs and branched-chain FAs. The differences in FA composition among genotypes were rather small, which could lead to overestimation of the effect and needs to be considered in the next research.

Plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids differ with Holstein genetic strain in pasture-based dairy systems

In pasture-based systems, there are nutritional and climatic challenges exacerbated across lactation; thus, dairy cows require an enhanced adaptive capacity compared with cows in confined systems. We aimed to evaluate the effect of lactation stage (21 vs. 180 days in milk, DIM) and Holstein genetic strain (North American Holstein, NAH, n = 8; New Zealand Holstein, NZH, n = 8) on metabolic adaptations of grazing dairy cows through plasma metabolomic profiling and its association with classical metabolites. Although 67 metabolites were affected (FDR < 0.05) by DIM, no metabolite was observed to differ between genetic strains while only alanine was affected (FDR = 0.02) by the interaction between genetic strain and DIM. However, complementary tools for time-series analysis (ASCA analysis, MEBA ranking) indicated that alanine and the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) differed between genetic strains in a lactation-stage dependent manner. Indeed, NZH cows had lower (P-Tukey < 0.05) plasma concentrations of leucine, isoleucine and valine than NAH cows at 21 DIM, probably signaling for greater insulin sensitivity. Metabolic pathway analysis also revealed that, independently of genetic strains, AA metabolism might be structurally involved in homeorhetic changes as 40% (19/46) of metabolic pathways differentially expressed (FDR < 0.05) between 21 and 180 DIM belonged to AA metabolism.

Effect of milking time, lactation stage and udder traits on milk yield of Red Sokoto and Boer goats in semi-arid, Nigeria

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of milking time, lactation stage and udder traits on milk yield of Red Sokoto and Boer goats at the farm of Centre for Dry-land Agriculture, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. The first evaluation of milk yield was done at early stage of lactation starting after day seven of kidding to exclude colostrum. Daily collection of milk samples followed in the morning and evening until 10 weeks of lactation. The weeks were divided into 3 stages of lactation as early, mid and late lactation stages. Milk samples were measured using a 100 mL measuring cylinder and later converted into grammes. The external udder measurements were taken in cm after seven days post kidding and fortnightly for the period of lactation. The result obtained shows significant difference (p<0.05) in the total morning milk yield between the goats. The total morning milk yield was higher (2642.00 ± 3.18 g) in the Boer goats than in the Red Sokoto (2371.50± 3.18 g). However, the average daily milk yield, total milk yield and total evening milk yield were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the breeds of goat. Mean milk yield was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by stage of lactation and time of milking. The milk yield was significantly higher (98.91 g) in the late lactation while the least was obtained in the mid stage of lactation (65.44 g). Moreover, the morning milk yield was significantly higher than the evening milk yield. A significant interaction effect (p<0.05) of lactation stage and milking time was similarly observed. The results indicated that breed significantly (p<0.05) influenced most of the udder traits except UC, UW and TFD. Significantly (p<0.05) higher values of UL, UW, TC, RTL, LTL, CH and TFD were recorded in the Red Sokoto. Furthermore, the Boer goat breed had significantly higher values of NT, UC and DBT. Le but de l'étude était d'évaluer l'effet de la traite de traite, de la phase de lactation et des traits de la piste sur le rendement du lait de Red Sokoto et des chèvres de Boer à la ferme du Centre d'agriculture à sec, de l'Université Bayero Kano, du Nigéria. La première évaluation du rendement en lait a été effectuée à un stade précoce de l'allaitement à partir de sept jours de blague pour exclure le colostrum. La collecte quotidienne d'échantillons de lait a suivi le matin et le soir jusqu'à 10 semaines de lactation. Les semaines ont été divisées en 3 étapes de la lactation comme des étapes de début et de lactation tardive. Les échantillons de lait ont été mesurés à l'aide d'un cylindre de mesure de 100 ml et convertis ultérieurement en grammes. Les mensurations externes de la mamelle ont été prises en cm après sept jours après la mise bas et tous les quinze jours pendant la période de lactation. Le résultat obtenu présente une différence significative (p <0,05) dans le rendement le lait total du matin entre les chèvres. Le rendement au lait total du matin était plus élevé (2642,00 ± 3,18 g) dans les chèvres Boer que dans le Sokoto rouge (2371.50 ± 3,18 g). Cependant, le rendement quotidien moyen quotidien, le rendement total du lait et le rendement au lait total de la soirée n'étaient pas significativement (p> 0,05) affectés par les races de chèvre. Le rendement en lait moyen était significativement (p <0,05) influencé par la phase de lactation et du temps de traite. Le rendement en lait était significativement plus élevé (98,91 g) à la fin de la lactation, tandis que le moindre a été obtenu au stade moyen de la lactation (65,44 g). De plus, le rendement au lait du matin était nettement supérieur au rendement le lait du soir. Un effet d'interaction significatif (P <0,05) de stade de lactation et de délai de traite a été observé de la même manière. Les résultats ont indiqué que la race de manière significative (p <0,05) a influencé la plupart des traits de pis de la piste, à l'exception des UC, UW et TFD. De manière significative (p <0,05) des valeurs plus élevées d'UL, UW, TC, RTL, LTL, CH et TFD ont été enregistrées dans le Red Sokoto. De plus, la race de chèvre Boer avait des valeurs significativement plus élevées de NT, UC et DBT.

Local Production and Commercialisation of Milk from Holstein Cows in the Grassfields of Cameroon: Contribution to Improving Living Conditions in Rural Areas

The role of livestock farming is no longer to be demonstrated in rural areas. Livestock provide income and facilitate access to food in rural areas. The aim of this article is to analyse the local production and marketing of milk from Holstein cows in the Grassfield (North West and West regions) of Cameroon in order to understand how much Holstein farming contributes to the rural economy. The data was collected using a questionnaire administered to 325 households producing milk from Holstein cows only. These households were selected on the basis of the existence of milk production units in the study area The data were analysed using SPSS version 20 software and Excel. Analyses of the data collected reveal that; the average milk production of cows in Grassfields varies from one lactation stage to another (7.75 liters/ day in the beginning of lactation to 17 liters / day at the end of lactation) with a daily average of 12.83 liters per day. The milk production of Holstein cows in the study areas is higher in Noun division (10 to 20 liters / day) than in Mezam division (5.5 to 14 liters per day). The profit margin generated by large producers is 230,100 CFA francs per month. On the other hand, the small producers have a profit margin of 33,800 CFA francs per month. The chi-square test of independence showed that X² = 5.756 and the probability (sig) = 1.6% which is less than 5%, which implies that the result is significant at 5%. The rotating saving groups contribute to the improvement of incomes. They therefore play a role in financing production. The evaluation of the contribution of rotating saving and credits association in improving the standard of living of households producing Holstein milk has shown that rotating saving association contribute significantly to the financing of the production of milk in production units, the education of children in breeding households. Rotating saving groups facilitate access to household food and healthcare. This economic activity of production and commercialisation of milk from Holstein cows certainly makes it possible to meet the daily needs of households, but it remains an informal activity in view of the production environment. The strong involvement of the public authorities is therefore necessary to make milk production a sector of the economy, although production and marketing activities are currently impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.