Effect of Alkaline Mineral Complex Buffer Supplementation on Milk Performance, Serum Variables, Rumen Fermentation and Rumen Microbiota of Transition Dairy Cows

Abstract

The present study investigates the effect of 50 mL AMCB taken daily as a dietary supplement on the rumen fermentation, microbiota, and production performance of 40 Holstein dairy cows in the transition period with 2.76 ± 0.48 parity and 650 ± 25 kg body weight. AMCB supplementation stabilized rumen pH, improved rumen microbiota richness and partial probiotic colonization, and considerably increased dry matter intake, milk production, protein content, and yield. Moreover, after calving, AMCB supplementation considerably reduced the serum blood urea nitrogen, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate transaminase levels and increased the serum immunoglobulin G and A levels. The results indicated that AMCB dietary supplementation improved postpartum dry matter intake, production performance, partial immune function, antioxidant capacity, and rumen microbiota richness in Holstein dairy cows in the transition period. AMC is an excellent candidate for use as a rumen buffer.