Assessment of Metabolic Adaptations in Periparturient Dairy Cows Provided 3-Nitrooxypropanol and Varying Concentrate Proportions by Using the GreenFeed System for Indirect Calorimetry, Biochemical Blood Parameters and Ultrasonography of Adipose Tissues

Matthias Schilde,Sven Dänicke,Susanne Kersten,Dirk Von Soosten,Annette Zeyner,Ulrich Meyer,Jana Frahm

doi:10.3390/dairy3010009

Abstract

Methanogenesis in ruminants contributes to both greenhouse gas emissions and feed energy losses whereby the latter becomes specifically important in energy-deficient periparturient cows. It was hypothesized that increased concentrate feed proportions (CFP) and feeding with the methane inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), as well as their potential synergism, improve the energy status of peripartal cows. Periparturient dairy cows were fed low or high dietary CFP either tested without or combined with 3-NOP. The GreenFeed system was used to calculate the metabolic respiration quotient (RQmetabolic) and tissue energy retention (ERtissue) by methods of indirect calorimetry. The calorimetrically estimated ERtissue coincided with a conventionally calculated energy balance except for the antepartal period. Neither CFP nor 3-NOP affected the ultrasonographically assessed lipomobilization in adipose depots. In the group fed 3-NOP and a high concentrate feed proportion, the RQmetabolic significantly rose over the course of the experiment and the ERtissue was also increased. Serum non-esterified fatty acid concentrations were lower in the 3-NOP groups albeit ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) remained unaffected. Higher CFP reduced BHB and increased blood glucose levels. In conclusion, 3-NOP and high CFP improved the energy budget of the cows in an interactive manner, which was, however, not apparent in all of the examined parameters. The application of the GreenFeed system for indirect calorimetry is a promising approach, which needs further validation in the future.

Highlights

IntroductionOf the gross energy intake (GEI) can be lost by methanogenesis in the bovine rumen [8]
Data on the emitted fermentation gases and metabolic respiratory gas exchange are presented in Table 2 while detailed dynamics of VCH4 and VCO2 emissions on a weekly basis are presented in Schilde et al [15]
The present study revealed that using the GF system as an indirect calorimetry chamber for the assessment of cows’ energy metabolisms is a promising approach, further validations of the O2 sensor and algorithm principles are needed

Summary

Introduction

Of the gross energy intake (GEI) can be lost by methanogenesis in the bovine rumen [8]. Both increased dietary concentrate feed proportion (CFP) [9] and 3-NOP [4]. Were observed to shift rumen fermentation to H2 -consuming propionic-metabolic typed pathways [4,9] which could increase the hepatic supply of glucogenic precursors [10], with this being advantageous in periparturient cows. Transitional dairy cows metabolically adapt to the negative energy balance (EB), which is the disparity between energy intake and requirements for maintenance and lactogenesis, by induction of an accelerated lipolysis in adipose tissue (AT) depots [11]. The massive hepatic influx of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) risks a metabolic overload of the hepatic capacity for NEFA oxidation, which results in increased ketone body synthesis and predisposition of the cow to hyperketonaemia and hepatic lipidosis [11,12]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion