Abstract
The experiment was performed to determine whether transgenic maize containing the Bt gene (MON 810) and soyabean meal produced from glyphosate-tolerant plants (Roundup Ready, MON 40-3-2) compared with non- transgenic plants can affect the performance parameters, milk composition, blood serum metabolite profiles and transfer of tDNA into milk of cows. The experiment was carried out from the third week before parturition to the 305 th day of lactation on 40 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows, which were allotted to 4 groups of 10 animals according to body weight, milk yield and parity. The cows in all groups were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) formulated according to IZ-INRA (2009). The concentrate mixtures added to TMR contained: non- modified (traditional) maize and soyabean meal (group TM G /TS); traditional maize and genetically modified (GM) soyabean meal (group TMG/MS); GM maize and traditional soyabean meal (group MM G /TS); or GM maize and GM soyabean meal (group MM G /MS). There were no significant differences be- tween transgenic and non-transgenic feeds in productivity, milk composition and blood metabolite profiles such as: β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), free fatty acids (FFA), glucose, insulin and progesterone. The transgenic DNA sequenc- es of MON 810 and RR soyabean meal were not detectable by PCR in milk.
Highlights
The development and use of genetically modified (GM) crop biotechnology is considered an important tool to meet the feed requirements of livestock and the food demand of the human population (Sung et al, 2006), which will globally increase from the current 7 to 9 billion people in 2050
Tested feed The composition and nutritional value of Bt maize and Roundup Ready (RR) soyabean meal compared with commercial, isogenic traditional lines did not differ from the standard range and the feed value of the four concentrates added to total mixed ration (TMR) contained, on average, similar levels of protein and energy (Table 4)
effective degraded dry matter in the rumen (ERDDM) and effective degraded crude protein (ERDCP) of GM soyabean meal were slightly greater compared with traditional feed
Summary
The development and use of genetically modified (GM) crop biotechnology is considered an important tool to meet the feed requirements of livestock and the food demand of the human population (Sung et al, 2006), which will globally increase from the current 7 to 9 billion people in 2050. Engineered crop plants can help eliminate the application of agricultural chemicals against different plant diseases. These crops have been genetically modified for a range of different traits, but herbicide tolerance and insect protection are the two most common traits, and maize and soyabeans are the most widely grown genetically modified crops. In 2014, 181.5 million hectares of transgenic crops were grown globally, at an annual growth rate of 3% from 175.2 million hectares in 2013 (ISAAA, 2015)
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