Calcium Salts Of Acids Research Articles

The effectiveness of the use of rumen protected fats in dairy cow feeding

In order to study the effect of the use of protected vegetable fat, prepared according to a specialized technology and contained calcium salts of vegetable fatty acids, in feeding of highly productive dairy cows on milk productivity, rumen digestion and reproductive indicators, we carried out a scientific and economic experiment at Lestekhstroy LLC (Moscow) on two groups of Holstein cows, 10 heads in each, during the first 100 days of lactation. It has been established that the inclusion of protected vegetable fat in the composition of the diets at a dosage of 500 g/head/day contributes to an increase in parameters of milk productivity of cows: the milk yield was higher by 188 kg, compared to control group, and therefore the average daily milk yield in the experimental group exceeded the control group by 5.4%, milk yield of 4% fat content in the experimental group was higher by 8.0% (PЈ0.05), compared with the control, the production of milk fat in the experimental group exceeded the control by 11, 0% (PЈ0.05), the production of milk protein in the experimental group exceeded the control by 5.8% (Pі0.05). It was shown that the use of protected fats contributed to a reducing the feed costs, expressed in ME, in the experimental group by 4.3%, compared with the control. The use of studied vegetable fats had a positive effect on rumen digestion through a tendency to increase the concentration of VFAs in the rumen fluid of the cows of the experimental group by 7.6% and microbial mass by 7.5% (Pі0.05), compared with the control. It was found that reproductive indicators of cows in experimental group were better, although the differences with the control were not statistically significant: the service period in the experimental group was 120.5 days, which is lower by 20.7 days, compared with the control group, the insemination index was lower in the experimental group compared to the control and amounted to 2.19.

Effect of calcium salts of fatty acids and level of rumen degradable protein on nitrogen metabolism and performance of dairy cows fed corn silage-based diets

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of combining calcium salts of soybean oil fatty acids (CSFA) and two rumen degradable protein (RDP) levels on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, N metabolism, and performance of lactating cows fed corn silage-based diets containing 164 g/kg of crude protein and 6.72 MJ/kg of net energy. Eight rumen cannulated Holstein cows (207 ± 23.6 days in milk and 33.4 ± 2.45 kg/d of milk yield) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment structure. Treatments consisted of diets with or without CSFA at 33.2 g/kg dry matter (DM) combined with either low (98 g/kg DM) or high level (110 g/kg DM) of RDP. Microbial protein synthesis was evaluated using the omasal sampling technique along with the triple marker system of digesta flow and 15N as a microbial marker. There was no interaction effect (P ≥ 0.15) between CSFA and RDP for all variables analyzed. Fat supplementation reduced (P ≤ 0.010) intake of nutrients (except ether extract), tended to increase (P = 0.076) rumination time, and increased (P = 0.015) ruminal pH. Calcium salts of fatty acids decreased (P ≤ 0.014) DM and organic matter ruminal digestibility and tended to reduce (P = 0.096) neutral detergent fiber ruminal digestibility. Dietary CSFA did not affect (P ≥ 0.32) ruminal flows of total non-ammonia N and microbial non-ammonia N, but increased (P = 0.022) microbial protein synthesis efficiency. Cows fed CSFA had greater (P ≤ 0.043) milk yield, feed efficiency, and N secreted in milk (g/kg N intake), and lower (P < 0.001) milk fat content in comparison with counterparts. Cows fed the diets with low RDP tended to have greater (P = 0.096) crude protein (CP) intake in comparison with cows fed diets with high RDP. Cows fed low RDP tended to exhibit greater (P = 0.057) ruminal acetate to propionate ratio than those fed high RDP. Low RDP decreased (P ≤ 0.048) starch total tract digestibility and ruminal protein degradation, tended to increase (P = 0.055) milk yield, and reduced (P = 0.002) milk protein content, but did not affect (P = 0.76) microbial protein synthesis efficiency compared to high RDP. Thus, lower RDP increased non-microbial non-ammonia nitrogen and reduced urinary losses of N, whereas CSFA decreased feed intake and improved microbial protein synthesis efficiency in mid-lactating cows. However, RDP level and CSFA association shows no interaction effect.

What Goes in Must Come out: The Story of Uric Acid.

Birds and reptiles convert waste ammonia into uric acid, while mammals excrete urea, with only small amounts of uric acid ending up in urine. This column explores the varying roles of uric acid and important calcium and sodium salts, and introduces π-stacking interactions in solid-state structures.

PSXIII-14 Feedlot performance of Nellore cattle consuming diets containing high-moisture corn, calcium salts of fatty acids and organic minerals

Abstract This study, conducted at São Paulo University feedlot, Dracena, Brazil, was designed to evaluate the effect of adding either high-moisture corn, calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA), or organic Zn+Cr on feedlot performance and carcass traits of Nellore cattle fed for 112 days. One-hundred fifty 18-mo-old Nellore bulls (404±24kg) were used and initially ranked, according to sires’ information, into groups of high and low EPD. Secondly, cattle were blocked by weight and randomly allocated to 30 pens (n = 5/pen), which were randomly assigned to the following 2x2 + 1 arrangement of treatments: Finely-ground corn, High-moisture corn, Finely-ground + CSFA, High-moisture corn + CSFA, and High-moisture corn + CSFA + Zn (90 ppm) and Cr (0.45 ppm). All diets contained 25 ppm of monensin. On day 0, one animal per pen was randomly selected to be slaughtered for baseline purposes. The replacement of finely-ground by high-moisture corn increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) final BW (585 vs. 573 kg), ADG, HCW (321 kg vs. 315 kg) and decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) DMI (9.7 vs. 10.1 kg). Likewise, the addition of CSFA increased final BW, ADG (1.62 vs. 1.50 kg), and HCW (321 vs. 314 kg). The addition of Cr+Zn led to increased (P = 0.02) dressing percentage. No treatment effect was observed on final marbling (P &amp;gt; 0.55). It was observed interactions between treatments and EPD for G:F (P = 0.02) and final 12thrib-fat thickness (P = 0.03), where cattle from low-EPD groups needed high-moisture corn, CSFA and organic Zn+Cr to improve G:F and increase fat deposition; however, animals from high-EPD groups required only high-moisture corn. The adding of either high-moisture corn, CSFA, or organic Zn+Cr improved feedlot performance of Nellore cattle, and its effects seemed to be more effective in animals from low-EPD groups.

Effects of the association between whole cottonseed and calcium salts of fatty acids on nutrient intake, feedlot performance, and carcass characteristics of Bos indicus animals offered a high-concentrate diet

This experiment evaluated the effects of feeding whole cottonseed (WC) and/or calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) on dry matter intake (DMI), performance, and carcass characteristics of Bos indicus animals receiving a high-concentrate diet during the finishing phase. On day 0, 96 Nellore bulls were blocked according to initial shrunk body weight (BW; 302 ± 26.7 kg) into group pens (four animals/pen) and, within blocks, pens were randomly assigned to receive: 1) 15% of WC and 2% of CSFA (dry matter [DM] basis) of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oil (15WC; n = 6); 2) 10% of WC and 3% of CSFA (DM basis) of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oil (10WC; n = 6); 3) 5% of WC and 4% of CSFA (DM basis) of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oil (5WC; n = 6); and 4) 0% of WC and 5% of CSFA (DM basis) of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oil (0WC; n = 6). Diets were formulated to be isocaloric, isonitrogenous, and isolipidic. Experimental period lasted 108 d; DMI was evaluated daily, whereas blood samples and carcass measurements were obtained on days 0, 55, and 108 of the study. Upon slaughter on day 109, steaks were collected for determination of the chemical and fatty acid (FA) profile of the meat. No treatment effects (P ≥ 0.35) were observed on DMI, performance, average daily gain (ADG), carcass ultrasound measurements, and chemical variables of the steak. Nonetheless, including WC into the diets decreased C12:0, C16:0, C16:1 trans-9, C17:0, C18:0, C18:1 cis-9, C18:2 cis-9, cis-12, C18:3 cis-9, cis-12, cis-15, saturated, and unsaturated FA intake (P < 0.01). Moreover, adding WC increased DMI fluctuation and feed efficiency (FE; P = 0.03) but decreased marbling (P ≤ 0.03). A treatment × day interaction was observed (P < 0.01) for serum leptin concentration, as 10WC animals had greater leptin concentration on day 103 vs. other treatments (P < 0.01). Regarding steak FA profile, WC addition into the diet increased C18:2 cis-7, trans-9 and C18:3 cis-9, cis-12, cis-15 (P < 0.001), whereas saturated FA was quadratically affected (P = 0.02) and unsaturated FA was reduced for 15WC (P < 0.04). In summary, increasing levels of CSFA into isolipidic finishing diets containing WC did not negatively impact feedlot performance but reduced FE and increased marbling scores of B. indicus bulls, demonstrating its feasibility as a technology to improve carcass traits of low-marbling animals.

Productive and reproductive performance and blood chemistry on grazing Brahman replacement heifers supplemented with fatty acids and protein

To evaluate the effect of calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (CaLCFA) and protein supplementation on body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), pregnancy rate (PR), and blood chemistry, 57 Brahman heifers with 309.1 ± 3.04 kg BW and 1,010 ± 8.51 days of age, were divided into three BW uniform groups and assigned for 102 days to three treatments under a completely randomized design: 1) grazing forage only (F); 2) F+CaLCFA, and 3) F+CaLCFA+protein-energy mix (CaLCFA+CP) with 453 protein g/kg, containing mainly (g/kg) CaLCFA (200), hydrolyzed feather meal (300), and cornmeal (375). About 0.2 and 1 kg/animal/d of CaLCFA and CaLCFA+CP were offered, respectively, with an average intake of 200 and 192 g/animal/d for the same order of supplements. The breeding period (BP) lasted for 45 days and started 57 days after beginning the supplementation period. Body weight showed a treatment × time interaction (p &lt; 0.01), being different at the end of the BP (348; 338 and 331 kg, respectively for CaLCFA, CaLCFA+CP, and F). Average daily gain (g/d) was higher (p &lt; 0.01) for CaLCFA (358) than for CaLCFA+CP (281), and lower for F (206). Overall, PR was higher (p &lt; 0.05) for CaLCFA+CP (68.4 %) and lower for F (36.8 %). Cholesterol (mg/dL) was higher (p &lt; 0.05) for CaLCFA+CP (139) and lower for F (117). Calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids and CaLCFA+CP supplementation improved BW and ADG of Brahman heifers at first mating, while PR and cholesterol increased only with CaLCFA+CP supplementation.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ИЗМЕНЕНИЙ КОНЦЕНТРАЦИИ ПРИМЕСНЫХ МЕТАЛЛОВ В СОСТАВЕ ПОЛУПРОДУКТОВ ПЕРЕРАБОТКИ “УСРЕДНЕННОЙ” НЕФТИ

The aim of the research was to study the features of distribution of impurity metals in the distillates of several types of heavy oil produced in Uzbekistan, mixed with gas condensate. It has been revealed that the basic mass of impurities in the original oil is represented mainly by calcium salts of petroleum acids. Thermal decomposition of impurity metal naphthenates is accompanied by formation of highly corrosive organic acids. The concentration of organometallic compounds V, Ni, Fe and other d-elements in the oils produced in Uzbekistan is comparatively less than of the heavy oils in the known deposits of the Middle East and Russia. However, the corrosion activity of petroleum acids, together with the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the reaction medium, causes a sharp increase in impurities in the feedstock supplied to hydrotreating, in the form of a mixture of FeO(OH), FeO, Fe2O3 , Fe0 , Fe 1-хS, FeS and CaS. It has been proven that for producing of environmentally friendly commercial fuels and oils, as well as ensuring long-term operation of catalysts for hydrotreating distillate and residual fractions obtained by processing local hydrocarbon raw materials, it is recommendable to use special protective layers that actively extract corrosion products, along with compounds such as naphthenates of calcium, nickel and iron.

Effect of Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids on Performance and Milk Fatty Acids Profile in Holstein Cows

این مطالعه به‌منظور بررسی اثر انواع نمک­های کلسیمی اسیدهای چرب بر عملکرد و الگوی اسید­های چرب شیر انجام شد. در این مطالعه از 21 رأس گاو هلشتاین با روزهای شیردهی 5/8 ± 30 استفاده شد. گاوها به سه گروه مساوی تقسیم و جیره­های زیر را دریافت کردند: 1. جیره شاهد 2. جیره حاوی منبع چربی A (ساخته شده در آزمایشگاه)3. جیره حاوی منبع چربی B (مرسوم در بازار). گاوها در سه نوبت دوشیده شدند. رکورد و مصرف خوراک به‌صورت روزانه ثبت شدند و نمونه­گیری از شیر، خوراک و مدفوع جهت تعیین ترکیب به‌صورت هفتگی انجام گرفت. خون‌گیری از دام­ها به عمل آمد. در پایان دوره آزمایش نمونه­ شیر جهت تعیین الگوی اسید چرب جمع­آوری شد. مصرف ماده خشک در جیره شاهد 5 درصد بیشتر از دو جیره دیگر بود در حالیکه میزان تولید شیر در جیره حاوی مکمل چربی A افزایش معنی­داری نسبت به جیره شاهد داشت و با جیره حاوی مکمل چربی B تفاوتی نداشت. BCS و تغییرات وزن بدن تحت تاثیر جیره­ها قرار نگرفت. مکمل چربی A بر قابلیت هضم فیبر جیره تاثیر منفی نداشت و مشابه جیره شاهد و مکمل چربی B بود. میزان C18:2 شیر گاوهای دریافت کننده جیره حاوی مکمل A نسبت به مکمل B و جیره شاهد به ترتیب 21 و 47 درصد افزایش داشت. درصد چربی و C14:0 شیر در جیره شاهد نسبت به دو جیره دیگر افزایش معنی­دار پیدا کرد. مکمل چربی A می­تواند به عنوان منبع چربی در اوایل دوره شیردهی استفاده شود و نتایج مشابهی با نمونه تجاری مرسوم داشت.

Effects of calcium salts of palm fatty acids on nutrient digestibility and production responses of lactating dairy cows: A meta-analysis and meta-regression

Our primary objective was to perform a meta-analysis and meta-regression to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with calcium salts of palm fatty acids (CSPF) compared with nonfat supplemented control diets (CON) on nutrient digestibility and production responses of lactating dairy cows. Our secondary objective was to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate whether experimental design affects production responses to supplemental CSPF. The data set was formed from 33 peer-reviewed publications with CSPF supplemented at ≤3% diet dry matter. We analyzed the interaction between experimental design (continuous vs. change-over) and treatments (CON vs. CSPF) to evaluate whether experimental design affects responses to CSPF (Meta.1). Regardless of experimental design, we evaluated the effects of CSPF compared with CON on nutrient digestibility and production responses of lactating dairy cows by meta-analysis (Meta.2) and meta-regression (Meta.3) approaches. In Meta.1, there was no interaction between treatments and experimental design for any variable. In Meta.2, compared with CON, CSPF reduced dry matter intake [DMI, 0.56 ± 0.21 kg/d (±SE)] and milk protein content (0.05 ± 0.02 g/100 g), increased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (1.60 ± 0.57 percentage units), the yields of milk (1.53 ± 0.56 kg/d), milk fat (0.04 ± 0.02 kg/d), and 3.5% fat corrected milk (FCM, 1.28 ± 0.60 kg/d), and improved feed efficiency [energy corrected milk (ECM)/DMI, 0.08 kg/kg ± 0.03]. There was no effect of treatment for milk protein yield, milk fat content, body weight, body weight change, or body condition score. Compared with CON, CSPF reduced the yield of de novo milk fatty acids (FA) and increased the yields of mixed and preformed milk FA. In Meta.3, we observed that each 1-percentage-unit increase of CSPF in diet dry matter reduced DMI, increased NDF digestibility, tended to increase FA digestibility, increased the yields of milk, milk fat, and 3.5% FCM, reduced the content of milk protein, reduced the yield of de novo milk FA, and increased the yields of mixed and preformed milk FA. In conclusion, our results indicate no reason for the restrictive use of change-over designs in CSPF supplementation studies or meta-analysis. Feeding CSPF increased NDF digestibility, tended to increase FA digestibility, and increased the yields of milk, milk fat, and 3.5% FCM. Additionally, CSPF increased milk fat yield by increasing the yields of mixed and preformed milk FA.

Improving adhesion performance of cottonseed protein by the synergy of phosphoric acid and water soluble calcium salts

Cottonseed protein has great potential to replace formaldehyde-based adhesives due to the nature of non-toxicity, harmlessness, and non-pollution. Like soy protein-based adhesives, cottonseed protein-based adhesives also face a huge challenge in water resistance. In this work, the adhesion performance of cottonseed protein isolate (CSPI) modified by combination of H3PO4 and CaCl2 with different mole ratios was investigated and compared with those modified by 40 mM H3PO4, CaCO3, CaO, or CaHPO4. Results showed that CSPI with 40 mM CaHPO4 did not show better adhesion performance when compared with 40 mM H3PO4, CaCO3, or CaO, indicating the little/no synergy between Ca and P due to the spatial structure restriction of water insoluble CaHPO4. However, the combination of H3PO4 and CaCl2 enhanced the adhesion performance of CSPI in comparison with other modifiers, due to free Ca2+ released from water soluble CaCl2 presenting a better synergy with PO43-. At the optimal loadings of 40 mM H3PO4 and 20 mM CaCl2, 71, 86, and 56% increase in dry, wet, and soaked strengths was achieved. In addition, comparison of CSPIs with H3PO4/CaCl2 and H3PO4/Ca(NO3)2 indicates that the anions of water soluble calcium salts (CaCl2 and Ca(NO3)2) had insignificant effects on adhesion performance of CSPI. Those findings indicated that mixing of phosphoric acid and some water soluble calcium salts could synergistically enhance the adhesion performance of CSPI, thus improving the industrial acceptability of CSPI-based adhesives.

Digestion, ruminal metabolism, and feeding behavior of buffaloes fed diets supplemented with soybean oil, whole and raw soybean, and calcium salts of fatty acids.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) sources on the nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and feeding behavior in diets for buffaloes. Four castrated Murrah buffaloes with approximately 24 months of age and an initial average body weight of 351 ± 15 kg were randomly assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment, containing the following diets: (1) control (CON): control diet based on soybean meal and ground corn, (2) soybean oil (SO): dietary inclusion of 2.20% (DM basis), (3) whole raw soybean (WRS): dietary inclusion of 16.0%, and (4) calcium salts of FA (CSFA): dietary inclusion of 2.60%. There was an effect of diets in ether extract intake among buffaloes fed UFA and CON diets, and among buffaloes fed CSFA and WRS diets (P < 0.05). Diets containing UFA sources provided higher EE digestibility (P < 0.05). Buffaloes fed WRS had higher rumen pH values than animals fed the CSFA diet (P < 0.05). Supplementation of UFA sources decreased the molar concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (P < 0.05). Diets influenced the times spent in chewing, idling, and the rumination efficiencies of DM and NDF (P < 0.05). The supplementation with WRS, SO, and CSFA does not negatively affect intake, digestion, ruminal metabolism, and feeding behavior. The WRS as a fat supplement source decreases dietary costs by replacing ground corn and soybean meal simultaneously compared to other fat sources used. Nevertheless, whole and raw soybean in buffaloes' diet can reduce chewing and rumination activity.

Hybrid Filaments from Saccaharina lattisima Biomass: Engineering of Alginate Properties with Maleic Anhydride Grafted Linseed Oil.

Linseed oil was graft modified with maleic anhydride and introduced into alginate by co-extrusion, producing alginate hybrid filaments. A straightforward grafting of maleic anhydride onto the oil backbone produced the modified oil. Additional esterification with n-dodecanol was also investigated. The structures of the modified oils were verified with 2D-NMR. The modified oil was mixed with alginate and extruded into CaCl2, forming thin filaments with diameters in the 130–260 μm range. The impact of oil integration into the alginate filaments was assessed, with special emphasis on stress-at-break, and compared to values predicted by an empirical model relating the “stress to alginate concentration” ratio to prevailing conditions during filament drawing. Analogous alginate filaments were prepared with hydrochloric-, oxalic- and phytic acid calcium salts for comparison with alginate–oil hybrids to reveal the induced impact, with respect to the composition and charge, on the tensile performance.

Protected or Unprotected Fat Addition for Feedlot Lambs: Feeding Behavior, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality

Simple SummaryThe use of lipids in ruminant diets aims to increase energy density without affecting the animal’s performance; however, its use can be toxic to the ruminal microbiota, which can be avoided with the use of protected fats. Diets with the inclusion of different fat sources (whole soybean grain, corn germ, calcium salt of fatty acids, and soybean oil) were tested to evaluate the effects of unprotected or protected fats on feeding behavior, carcass characteristics, and quality of the meat of feedlot lambs. The use of calcium salts from fatty acids in feedlot lambs’ diets improves the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the carcass and meat.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of protected or unprotected fats in the diet of feedlot lambs on feeding behavior, productive characteristics, carcass traits, and meat quality. Forty male Dorper × Santa Inês lambs (22.27 ± 2.79 kg) were randomly assigned to treatments in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments consisted of five diets: no added fat (NAF), whole soybeans (WSB), calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA), soybean oil (SO), and corn germ (CG). The total intake of dry matter (DMI) (p < 0.001) and neutral detergent fiber (NDFI) (p = 0.010) were higher in the CSFA and NAF diets. Feeding behavior, morphometric measurements, physicochemical characteristics, and centesimal composition of the Longissimus lumborum muscle were similar between treatments (p > 0.05). The CSFA diet provided higher production (p < 0.05) and better-quality carcasses. The inclusion of fat sources increased the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05). The use of calcium salts of fatty acids in feedlot lambs’ diets provides better quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the meat and carcass.

Resistance of Alkali-Activated Binders to Organic Acids Found in Agri-Food Effluents

Organic acids, such as acetic and lactic acids, are prevalent in agricultural and food effluents. They pose a considerable pollution threat and must be collected and stored safely before treatment and release. They cause significant damage to cementitious materials, reducing the service life of structures. In this study, the resistance of alkali-activated fly ash and slag-blended binders to organic acids was studied, and a comparison with ordinary portland cement binders was carried out. The findings demonstrate that alkali-activated binders with increased fly ash content have marginally better resistance to acetic acid, but mixes with increased slag content have better resistance to lactic acid. This is due to the solubility of the calcium and aluminum salts of acetic and lactic acids. Overall, the performance of the alkali-activated binders was better than that of the ordinary portland cement binder, with a lower mass and strength losses observed. This was attributed to their lower calcium content with less vulnerable phases, such as calcium hydroxide and ettringite. Instead, the calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) type gels in alkali-activated binders suffered decalcification and dealumination but left behind a silicon-rich gel, which helped to resist further acid attack.

210 Effects of supplementing calcium salts of fatty acids during late gestation on beef cow performance and offspring pre-weaning performance

Abstract Objectives were to investigate the effects of late-gestation supplementation of Ca salts of fatty acids to beef cows on cow performance and offspring pre-weaning growth performance. One hundred and ninety fall-calving, Angus Simmental cows were ranked by BW, BCS, and age. Cows were randomly assigned into 12 endophyte-infected, tall fescue pastures (4 pastures/treatment; 15–16 cows/pasture). Cows were fed an isocaloric supplement with soybean hulls mixed with: whole-shelled corn (CON), 155 g/cow/d of EnerGII (SFA/MUFA), or 40 g/cow/d of Strata 120 g/cow/d of Prequel (PUFA) during the last 83 4.9 d of gestation. Cow BW and BCS were measured at the initial, middle point, and end of supplementation, as well as at breeding and weaning. Milk yield was evaluated by weigh-suckle-weigh technique at 675.0 d postpartum. Steers were weaned at 174 5.0 d of age. Growth performance, milk, and blood parameters were analyzed with MIXED and reproductive data were analyzed with GLIMMIX procedures of SAS. The BW and BCS of the cows were not different (P 0.19) from trial initiation through weaning. Birth BW of the steers was not different (P = 0.62). The AI or overall pregnancy rates were not different (P 0.88). There was no difference (P 0.12) in milk yield or components. However, C15:0 and total n-3 fatty acids in milk from dams supplemented with PUFA was greater (P 0.05) than CON, while SFA/MUFA was intermediate and not different than the others. There was no difference (P = 0.83) for weaning BW of the steers. In conclusion, late-gestation supplementation of Ca salts of PUFA had no effect on cow BW, BCS, or milk yield, but increased total n-3 fatty acids in milk. Neither birth BW nor weaning BW of steers were affected by maternal fatty acid supplementation.

Calcium salts of fatty acids with varying fatty acid profiles in diets of feedlot-finished Bos indicus bulls: impacts on intake, digestibility, performance, and carcass and meat characteristics.

We hypothesized that the inclusion of calcium salts of fatty acid (CSFA) into the diets and the fatty acid (FA) profile of the supplements would impact performance and meat characteristics of Bos indicus bulls. Hence, the objective was to evaluate the effects of CSFA profiles on intake, body weight (BW), carcass, and meat characteristics of feedlot-finished B indicus bulls. Fifty-three Nellore bulls [initial BW 315 ± 5.9 kg and 20 ± 2 mo] were used. At the beginning, 6 bulls were randomly chosen and slaughtered for determination of their BW composition, and the remaining 47 bulls were evaluated during a 140-d experimental period. The bulls were placed in individual pens, blocked according to initial BW and randomly allocated to 1 of the 3 following treatments: (1) control diet containing sugarcane bagasse, ground corn, citrus pulp, peanut meal, and mineral-vitamin mix (CON), (2) CON with the addition of 3.3% of CSFA from soybean oil (CSO), or (3) CON with the addition of a mixture of 3.3% of CSFA from palm, soybean, and cottonseed oils (CPSCO). Diets were offered ad libitum and formulated to be isonitrogenous. Bulls supplemented with CSFA had a greater (P < 0.01) final BW, dry matter intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE), and FA intake vs. CON. Among carcass parameters, CSFA-supplemented bulls had greater (P < 0.01) carcass ether extract concentration vs. CON bulls. When the CSFA profile was evaluated (CSO vs. CPSCO), CPSCO bulls had a better (P ≤ 0.03) FE, carcass ADG, and hot carcass weight (HCW) vs. CSO bulls. The FA intakes differed among CSFA treatments, as the total saturated, palmitic, and oleic FA intakes were greater for CPSCO (P < 0.01), whereas lower intakes of total unsaturated and polyunsaturated FA (P < 0.01) were observed for CPSCO vs. CSO. Samples from the Longissimus muscle contained greater palmitoleic (P = 0.01) and reduced linoleic (P = 0.02) FA concentrations in CSFA-supplemented bulls vs. CON bulls. In agreement with the FA intakes, CPSCO-supplemented bulls had a greater (P ≤ 0.05) unsaturated FA concentration vs. CSO in Longissimus muscle. In summary, CSFA supplementation improved the performance of finishing B. indicus bulls vs. CON. Moreover, the inclusion of CSFA from palm, soybean, and cottonseed oil benefited the FE, carcass ADG, and HCW compared with the inclusion of CSFA from soybean oil, demonstrating the potential of specific FA for improving the performance and meat quality of B. indicus bulls.

Follicular and luteal morphofunctionality of dairy cows supplemented with calcium salts of fatty acids in AIFT programs

We aimed to define the effect of strategic supplementation with calcium salts of fatty acids on the morphofunctionality of ovarian structures in crossbred dairy cows submitted to a hormonal protocol for artificial insemination at a fixed time (AIFT) A total of 20 lactating crossbred females (Bos taurus x Bos taurus indicus) were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (CON), which received concentrate with no added fat in the diet, and the treatment group (TRAT), which received concentrate with salts of fatty acid calcium (Megalac-E, Church and Dwight Co. Inc., Trenton, NJ, marketed in Brazil by Elanco-Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA). The diets were provided for 30 days. The animals started consuming the supplement 20 days before the beginning of the follicular wave and ovulation synchronization protocol (Day-20). Follicular development was monitored by mode B ultrasound and power-doppler assessments every 12 h between day D8 and the time of ovulation. By measuring the follicular diameter (DFOL), the area of the follicular wall (AFOL) and the vascularization area of the follicle wall (VFOL) were able to be determined. On days 7 and 16 after ovulation, US mode B and doppler were performed in order to analyze the corpus luteum diameter (DCL), area of the corpus luteum (ACL), and the vascularization area of the corpus luteum (VCL). In addition, blood samples were collected to measure the serum concentration of P4 using chemiluminescence methodology. There was no effect of supplementation on milk production results (p = 0.15), body weight (p = 0.57), ECC (p = 0.78), albumin (p = 0.83), and the lipid profile (CT [p = 0.36], HDL [p = 0.11], LDL [p = 0.55], VLDL [p = 0.15] and TRIG [p = 0.15]). The supplementation of SCAG, 30 days before IATF, under the conditions of this experiment had no significant influence on follicular and luteal morphofunctionality. However, suspension of supplementation caused a deficit in the luteal blood flow.

Calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids from linseed oil decrease methane production by altering the rumen microbiome in vitro.

Calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (CSFA) from linseed oil have the potential to reduce methane (CH4) production from ruminants; however, there is little information on the effect of supplementary CSFA on rumen microbiome as well as CH4 production. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of supplementary CSFA on ruminal fermentation, digestibility, CH4 production, and rumen microbiome in vitro. We compared five treatments: three CSFA concentrations-0% (CON), 2.25% (FAL) and 4.50% (FAH) on a dry matter (DM) basis-15 mM of fumarate (FUM), and 20 mg/kg DM of monensin (MON). The results showed that the proportions of propionate in FAL, FAH, FUM, and MON were increased, compared with CON (P < 0.05). Although DM and neutral detergent fiber expressed exclusive of residual ash (NDFom) digestibility decreased in FAL and FAH compared to those in CON (P < 0.05), DM digestibility-adjusted CH4 production in FAL and FAH was reduced by 38.2% and 63.0%, respectively, compared with that in CON (P < 0.05). The genera Ruminobacter, Succinivibrio, Succiniclasticum, Streptococcus, Selenomonas.1, and Megasphaera, which are related to propionate production, were increased (P < 0.05), while Methanobrevibacter and protozoa counts, which are associated with CH4 production, were decreased in FAH, compared with CON (P < 0.05). The results suggested that the inclusion of CSFA significantly changed the rumen microbiome, leading to the acceleration of propionate production and the reduction of CH4 production. In conclusion, although further in vivo study is needed to evaluate the reduction effect on rumen CH4 production, CSFA may be a promising candidate for reduction of CH4 emission from ruminants.

Growth, carcass and adipose tissue characteristics of dairy origin bulls offered concentrate rations of increasing energy density

The hypothesis that inclusion of a rumen-inert fat in the diet of dairy-origin bulls would enhance EUROP carcass fat classification and tissue fatty acid composition was tested. Sixty bulls (age = 508 days, s.d. 29.1) were offered ad libitum, a barley-based concentrate ration that contained 0, (control) 26 (MEGA1) or 81 g (MEGA2) calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids (Megalac)/kg such that the rations contained 25, 49 and 116 g acid-hydrolysed ether extract /kg dry matter (DM), respectively. Intake (per pen of 5 bulls), live weight and ultrasonic backfat thickness were measured during a 130 day feeding period after which bulls were slaughtered, carcass characteristics recorded and a sample of longissimus muscle (LT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) collected for fatty acid analysis. Subcutaneous fat depth was similar for control and MEGA1 bulls but lower (P < 0.05) for MEGA2 bulls after 60 days of the study. After 125 days, compared to control bulls subcutaneous fat depth was higher for MEGA1 bulls but lower for MEGA 2 bulls (P < 0.05). Carcass gain tended (P = 0.074) to be lower for MEGA2 bulls compared to control and MEGA1 bulls, which reflected their lower consumption of concentrate DM and metabolisable energy (ME) but the efficiency with which consumed DM or ME was converted to live or carcass weight did not differ significantly between rations. There was no difference between control and MEGA1 bulls for any measurement of carcass fatness. Compared to control and MEGA1 bulls, carcasses from MEGA2 bulls were lighter, had a lower depth of fat covering the LT muscle measured post-mortem (P < 0.05) and a numerically lower carcass fat classification. There were only minor effects of ration composition on the fatty acid profile of LT or SAT. With regard to nutritional indices in meat, compared to control bulls, inclusion of Megalac did not affect the polyunsaturated (P) to saturated fatty acid ratio or the n-6 to n-3 P ratio of tissue lipids. It is concluded that for the type of animal and feeding arrangement in this study, rumen inert fat inclusion was not an effective strategy to enhance carcass fat classification or the nutritional value of beef.

In vitro embryo production in Nelore cows supplemented with calcium salts of long-chain fatty acid

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of supplementation of lactating Nelore cows with calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (Ca-LCFA) of soybean oil on in vitro oocytes competency, cleavage rate, embryo production rate, pregnancy rate, and sex ratio of transferred embryos. Fifteen multiparous Nelore cows grazed on a Tifton 85 pasture were allotted to two treatments: (1) supplement without fat inclusion (CONT, n = 6) and (2) supplement containing 47.2 g Ca-LCFA /kg (to provide an intake of 0.2 kg Ca-LCFA/day) based on dry matter (n = 9). Animals were subjected to 2.53 ± 1.35 rounds of consecutive ovum pick up at intervals of 27.65 ± 21.72 days. Oocytes were morphologically evaluated, selected, maturated, fertilized, and cultivated for embryo production in vitro and then transferred into recipients who had previously undergone an embryo transfer protocol at a fixed time. The number of aspirated oocytes, the proportion of viable oocytes, cleavage rate, embryo percentage, pregnancy rate, and sex ratio were not affected when Nelore cows were supplemented with Ca-LCFA of soybean oil compared with non-supplemented Nelore cows. In conclusion, our results suggest that feeding a supplement containing 47.2 g Ca-LCFA/kg (to provide an intake of 0.2 kg Ca-LCFA/day) to Nelore cows does not affect in vitro embryo production in lactating Nelore cows. However, further studies using higher dietary doses of fat could be useful to determine the potential of fat supplementation to improve in vitro embryo production.