Changes In Milk Composition Research Articles

The unrevealed links: periodontal health, human milk composition, and infant gut microbiome dynamics.

This review aims to identify the mechanistic relationships related to periodontal diseases and its possible association with changes in human milk composition and the composition and function of infants' gut microbiome. Maternal health conditions, especially inflammatory, are associated with altered human milk composition. It is not known whether maternal oral inflammatory diseases, including periodontal diseases, deleteriously affect human milk composition. A narrative review was conducted according to SANRA, the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles, guidelines. PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane database of systematic reviews were searched from September 2019 up to December 2023 using keywords such as breast/human milk, maternal health/infections, and periodontal diseases. Reference lists of relevant articles were also screened. Our primary outcome of interest was human milk composition (i.e., any changes in macronutrients, immunological components, etc.). Secondary outcomes included changes in human milk microbiome and subsequent changes in the infant gut microbiome. Outcomes were synthesized using a narrative approach where the existing evidence and current literature were summarized. No risk of bias assessment of the studies was performed in this review. The search yielded no studies investigating the relationship between periodontal diseases in nursing mothers and changes in human milk composition. However, a dose-response relationship exists between the severity of periodontal diseases and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth. Mastitis and diabetes affected milk lipids. Immunoglobulin A (sIgA) was increased in mastitis, whereas reduced concentrations were reported in diabetes. Potential biological pathways through which periodontal diseases can negatively affect human milk composition include the systemic dissemination of inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, PGE2, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-β that can be up-regulated by bacterial by-products. This biological plausibility needs to be investigated, given the potentially negative impact on the quality of human milk that could be caused by periodontal inflammation.

Modelling the temporal trajectories of human milk components.

This paper demonstrates how available data can be explored and utilized to conclude generic patterns in the temporal changes in Human Milk (HM) composition. The temporal trajectories of selected human milk components (HMC-s) were described, in the first four months postpartum, by a primary model consisting of two phases: a short linear phase in the colostrum, triggered by the parturition; and a longer second phase, where the concentration of the component converges to a steady state. The model was fitted to data available in a recently published database of temporal HMC trajectories both at the levels of individual molecules (such as specific fatty acid, oligosaccharide, and mineral molecules) and molecule-groups (such as total protein, total fat). The properties of the trajectories suggest that experimental designs should follow non-equidistant sampling times, with increasingly longer time intervals after the first week postpartum. A selected parameter, the final stationary level, of the primary model was then studied as a function of geographical location (secondary modelling). We found that the total variation of the concentration of specific HMC-s is dominantly due to the inherent biological differences between individual mothers and to less extent to the geographical location.

Changes in preterm breast milk composition according to lactation time and maternal characteristics

Changes in preterm breast milk composition according to lactation time and maternal characteristics

Maternal Mediterranean Diet During Lactation and Infant Growth.

Background: Human milk is considered the optimal source of nutrition for infants. Maternal diet is associated with the composition of human milk. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has been studied in pregnancy and during lactation, and it has been associated with changes in milk composition, yet there is a lack of research on MedDiet during lactation and infant outcomes. Methods: Mother-infant dyads (n = 167) from ABC Baby, a prospective observational study, were included in this analysis. Maternal diet was obtained using an adapted version of the National Cancer Institute Diet History Questionnaire II, at 2 weeks or 2 months postpartum. Maternal MedDiet score was calculated using servings of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes, fish, monounsaturated-to-saturated fatty acid ratio, red and processed meats, and added sugar. Infants' length, weight, and flank skinfold thickness were measured at 6 months. Using World Health Organization standards, weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), and weight-for-length (WLZ) Z-scores were calculated. Multiple linear regression models were adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Higher maternal MedDiet score and intake of fruit and fish were associated with lower flank skinfold thickness (β = -0.33, -0.52, and -1.26, respectively). Intake of nuts and seeds was associated with higher WLZ (β = 0.29). Intake of red and processed meats was associated with lower WAZ (β = -0.18) and LAZ (β = -0.18). Energy-adjusted added sugar intake was associated with lower WLZ (β = -0.02). Conclusions: The maternal MedDiet score was associated with lower skinfold thickness, while its components were associated with differences in anthropometric Z-scores. Further research on the maternal MedDiet and corresponding human milk composition is needed to explore this relationship.

Associations between SARS-CoV-2 Infection or COVID-19 Vaccination and Human Milk Composition: A Multi-Omics Approach

BackgroundThe risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 via human milk-feeding is virtually non-existent. Adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination for lactating individuals are not different from the general population, and no evidence has been found that their infants exhibit adverse effects. Yet, there remains substantial hesitation among this population globally regarding the safety of these vaccines. ObjectiveHerein we aimed to determine if compositional changes in milk occur following infection or vaccination, including any evidence of vaccine components. Methods and ResultsUsing a subset of milk samples obtained as part of our broad studies examining the effects on milk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination, an extensive multi-omics approach, we found that compared to unvaccinated individuals SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with significant compositional differences in 67 proteins, 385 lipids, and 13 metabolites. In contrast, COVID-19 vaccination was not associated with any changes in lipids or metabolites, although it was associated with changes in 13 or fewer proteins. Compositional changes in milk differed by vaccine. Changes following vaccination were greatest after 1-6 hours for the mRNA-based Moderna vaccine (8 changed proteins), 3 days for the mRNA-based Pfizer (4 changed proteins), and adenovirus-based Johnson and Johnson (13 changed proteins) vaccines. Proteins that changed after both natural infection and Johnson and Johnson vaccine were associated mainly with systemic inflammatory responses. In addition, no vaccine components were detected in any milk sample. ConclusionsTogether, our data provide evidence of only minimal changes in milk composition due to COVID-19 vaccination, with much greater changes after natural SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The investigation of SNP in SOCS2 gene and its effect on milk yield, fat, protein, and somatic cell count in Awassi ewes.

Livestock farmers face financial losses every year because milk yield and components are severely affected by udder diseases. These udder infections attract the immune response from the host and lead to the influx of neutrophils into milk to fight infection and thus the number of somatic cell count (SCC) is increased. The SCC value of milk could be used as an important indicator in detecting clinical mastitis in dairy animals. Also, the milk yield and milk quality (e.g. fat) are negatively affected by the increased SCC. The SCC is used to estimate the somatic cell score (SCS)of the milk, which is used as an indirect measure to detect subclinical mastitis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of a significant SNP rs868996547, on the suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 gene (SOCS2) which is related to milk yield and milk quality in Awassi sheep. In this study, milk production data was obtained from 210 healthy Awassi ewes with different parties and ages. The general linear model (GLM) process analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine fixed effects on milk traits. The DNA extraction was done using a blood DNA extraction kit from Qiagen. To validate the presence of SNP a customized SNP detection developed by Thermofisher Scientific was used. The presence of the SNP in the SOCS2 gene was detected with genotypes (C/T, T/T, and C/C) and T being the mutated allele and it had a significant (p < 0.015) effect on the milk yield (p < 0,015;0.091), fat (p < 0,001;0,003), fat/protein ratio (p < 0.001;0,037) and log10SCC value (p < 0,006;0,015) of Awassi ewes. However, the protein, total solid, and lactose percentages in the wild type and the mutated ewes found having no significant difference (P > 0.05). Our result showed the increase in SCC or SCS of the milk significantly affected the milk yield and composition. Parity and age had significant effects on ewes' milk yield (p < 0.001). In conclusion, we investigated the presence of SOCS2 gene of Awassi ewes in the study flock and its effect on milk yield, fat, and somatic cell count, and the change in milk composition and milk yield because of SCC.

Stage of lactation, parity, breed, milk composition and minerals affect the non-enzymatic antioxidant activity of sheep milk

The aims of this study were to i) characterize sheep milk for non-enzymatic antioxidant activity via 2 different assays, namely the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), and ii) investigate the effect of milk composition and animal-related parameters on these 2 assays by using Generalized Additive Mixed Model (GAMM) approach. A total of 740 ewes belonging to Massese and Comisana breeds were sampled once during the morning milking across 11 sampling sessions. All milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, casein, and lactose, somatic cell score (SCS) and minerals (Ca, Mg, Na and Cl). The FRAP and DPPH assays were tested to measure the non-enzymatic antioxidant activity of milk, expressed as μM eq. ascorbic acid/mL of milk and % of inhibition, respectively. The GAMM model included the effect of parity and breed as parametric terms, and the effect of days in milk (DIM), milk yield and the interactions protein × fat, casein × SCS, Ca × Mg and Na × Cl as smooth terms. The sampling day was included in the model as random effect. Results revealed that the non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity of sheep milk, expressed as FRAP, was affected by DIM, potentially because of changes in milk composition over time. Conversely, parity and breed of ewes affected DPPH, suggesting that age- and breed-specific factors are related to specific components in milk acting as hydrogen donors. Milk fat and high casein percentages were found to significantly affect FRAP, while protein content was crucial for high DPPH levels. Additionally, Ca and Mg emerged as important non-enzymatic antioxidants for both FRAP and DPPH, highlighting their important role in antioxidant activity of sheep milk. On the other side, combinations of Na and Cl were particularly influential for FRAP, revealing the complex relationship between these minerals and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity of milk. These findings offer valuable insights into the factors affecting the antioxidative properties of sheep milk, highlighting the need for further exploration of other non-enzymatic antioxidants and their contribution to the total antioxidant activity.

Human cytomegalovirus in breast milk is associated with milk composition and the infant gut microbiome and growth

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a highly prevalent herpesvirus that is often transmitted to the neonate via breast milk. Postnatal CMV transmission can have negative health consequences for preterm and immunocompromised infants, but any effects on healthy term infants are thought to be benign. Furthermore, the impact of CMV on the composition of the hundreds of bioactive factors in human milk has not been tested. Here, we utilize a cohort of exclusively breastfeeding full-term mother-infant pairs to test for differences in the milk transcriptome and metabolome associated with CMV, and the impact of CMV in breast milk on the infant gut microbiome and infant growth. We find upregulation of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) tryptophan-to-kynurenine metabolic pathway in CMV+ milk samples, and that CMV+ milk is associated with decreased Bifidobacterium in the infant gut. Our data indicate two opposing CMV-associated effects on infant growth; with kynurenine positively correlated, and CMV viral load negatively correlated, with infant weight-for-length at 1 month of age. These results suggest CMV transmission, CMV-related changes in milk composition, or both may be modulators of full-term infant development.

Clostridium butyricum Probiotic Feed Additive: Modulation of Sow Milk Metabolomics and Mitigation of Pre-Weaning Piglet Diarrhea.

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of Clostridium butyricum probiotic feed additive on sow and piglet performances, together with alterations in the lipidomic and metabolomic profiles of sow milk. Sixty-four Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows and 794 piglets were included. Sows were divided into two groups; i.e., (i) conventional gestation diet (control; n = 35) and (ii) conventional diet added with 10 g/sow/day of probiotic C. butyricum spores (treatment; n = 29) from one week before the estimated farrowing day until weaning (29.6 ± 4.8 days). The sow and piglet performances and incidence of piglet diarrhea were recorded. Changes in gross chemical composition, fatty acid and non-volatile polar metabolite profiles of sow colostrum, transient milk and mature milk were evaluated. The results showed that relative backfat loss in the treatment group (-2.3%) was significantly lower than in control group (11.6%), especially in primiparous sows (p = 0.019). The application of C. butyricum probiotics in sows significantly reduced the incidence of diarrhea in piglets (p < 0.001) but no other effect on piglet performance was found. Lipidomic and metabolomic analyses revealed variations in sow colostrum and milk biomolecular profiles, with indicative compounds significantly altered by feeding with the C. butyricum probiotics. In conclusion, the use of C. butyricum probiotics in sows may improve sow body condition and reduce diarrhea incidence in piglets, with underlying changes in milk composition that warrant further investigation. These findings support the potential of C. butyricum as a beneficial feed additive in swine production.

SKŁAD MLEKA KRÓW W ZALEŻNOŚCI OD WIEKU, FAZY LAKTACJI I PASZY GENETYCZNIE MODYFIKOWANEJ

The aim of the presented study was to analyze changes in milk composition depending on presence of genetically modified (GM) components in feed and according to cows’ age and lactation phase. The research was carried out with Polish Holstein-Friesian black and white cows (n = 50) housed in tie stall system at one farm. The genetically modified feed was a supplementary feed mixture. Data reports from milking trials with milk chemical composition, number of somatic cells and urea content were collected. The collected data concerned groups: primiparous (P) cows and multiparous (M) cows during 2nd and 3rd lactation. In each age group, two subgroups were distinguished: cows from 1st to 4th month of lactation (I) and cows from 5th to 8th month of lactation (II). The above subgroups were divided according to feed with GM components (G) and feed with non-GM components (N). It was found that use of feed with the addition of GM plants contributes to lowering the level of casein and an increase of lactose in milk. Presence of GM components in feed did not affect the level of fat, total protein, fat to protein content, urea levels, somatic cell counts in milk and cow yield. It can be concluded that the withdrawal of feed additives based on GM components does not adversely affect the technological quality of milk.

Report on a Milking Mule: Milk Qualitative Characteristics during Lactation.

Despite their inability to reproduce naturally, mules can host embryos and be surrogate dams. The aim of this investigation was to increase our knowledge of the qualitative composition of mule's milk and its variations throughout the whole lactation period-namely, from 6 h after foaling to 180 days in milk (DIM). Milk was obtained from a mule dam that had foaled after receiving a mule embryo transfer. For each sample, the gross, mineral, and fatty acid composition was evaluated. The average quality of the mule milk was as follows: protein 1.97 g 100 mL-1, fat 0.90 g 100 mL-1, and ash 0.39 g 100 mL-1. Saturated fatty acids made up, on average, 50.00 g 100 g-1 of fat. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids made up half of the total fatty acid content (31.80 g 100 g-1 and 18.2 g 100 g-1 of fat, respectively). Linoleic acid and linolenic acid were the main polyunsaturated fatty acids in the milk. The milk composition changed throughout lactation. Dry matter, protein, fat, and ash decreased significantly from early lactation (6 h to 14 DIM). The n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased at the end of lactation. The changes in milk composition throughout lactation are probably due to adaptations to the growth requirements of the foal.

Effect of milk stasis on mammary gland involution and the microRNA profile

The presence of an autocrine factor in milk that can trigger mammary gland involution was proposed more than 50 yr ago. To provide evidence for the existence of one or more autocrine factors, 10 multiparous cows in late lactation were quarter-milked for 7 d. Following this baseline period, the right front quarter of each cow was left unmilked, and the other quarters were milked for 7 d. Before the last milking of that period, milk (mammary secretions) was collected aseptically from both front quarters. After that milking, 250 mL of the collected samples were infused in the cows' respective rear quarters. No quarters were milked for the following 7 d (milk stasis period), and quarter milking was then resumed in all quarters for the last 7 d of the experiment (remilking period). Quarter milk samples were collected during the baseline period, before the milk stasis period, and during the remilking period. These samples were used for measuring milk components and the concentration of involution markers (SCC, BSA, and lactoferrin). Samples of mammary secretions were collected manually from the quarters during the milk stasis period for involution marker determination. We extracted RNA from samples collected from front quarters before the last milking before the milk stasis period for microRNA (miRNA) determination. As anticipated, the longer milk stasis period implemented for the right front quarter resulted in a more advanced involution than in the left front quarter, based on the concentration of involution markers in the mammary secretions, lower milk production recovery, and changes in milk composition during the remilking period. All 3 involution marker concentrations in the mammary secretions increased in both rear quarters, but were greater in the right quarter secretions than in the left quarter secretions. Resuming milking reinitiated milk production in all quarters, but milk production recovery in the right rear quarters was less robust than that in the left rear quarters (54.3 ± 1.4% vs. 61.6 ± 1.4%, respectively). Milk from the quarters infused with mammary secretions (right rear) had a lower lactose content, but a higher milk protein content and higher SCC than the quarters infused with milk. We detected a total of 359 miRNAs, 76 of which were differentially expressed in milk and mammary secretions. Expression of bta-miR-221 and bta-miR-223 was upregulated in mammary secretions 34- and 40-fold, respectively. The results of the present experiment support the contention that milk stasis leads to the accumulation of one or more factors that trigger involution. The results also indicate that milk stasis leads to changes in the miRNA profile of the milk, but whether such changes are a cause or a consequence of the involution process remains to be established.

Breast milk – a living superfood. Review of current knowledge

Introduction: Breastfeeding is considered the best nutrition for infants, including born preterm due to containing optimal ingredients for development and growth. Breast milk is a rich source of nutrients, it also contains diverse types of bacteria, which play a role in infant’s gastrointestinal tract colonization and preserving mammary health. Composition of human milk varies depending on numerous maternal and infant factors. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to summarize the current knowledge about the content of nutrients, bioactive factors and microbiota diversity in human milk depending on various factors. Materials and methods: The work is a review of 26 mainly English-language scientific publications from 1989-2024 posted on the PubMed platform. Results: Milk composition changes in addition to several factors. Depending on postnatal age: preterm milk has higher content of protein, fat and immunological factors and lower concentration of lactose than term milk. Depending on milk maturity: Colostrum is higher in protein but lower in lactose, fat and energy than mature milk. Human milk is also a source of viable bacteria important for developing infant’s gut microbiota, but the diversity of bacterial strains in milk may vary. Depending on mode of delivery: milk of mothers after spontaneous labour contents more probiotic vaginal- and enteric-associated bacteria, while milk of mothers after C-section has more skin-associated microbiota. Depending on mother’s weight: milk of overweight mothers is lower in probiotic- and higher in pathogenic bacteria. Alcohol, nicotine, and some medications also have negative impact on produced milk. Conclusions: Human milk varies from woman to woman and its composition depends on several factors. Postnatal and gestational stage, delivery mode, mother's weight and certain substances have been found to be important factors influencing the constitution of breast milk, including nutrients, microbiota and volume of milk.

PSIV-A-10 Pilot study: Acute changes in mare milk composition in response to concentrate feeding

Abstract Evaluating dietary effects on mare milk composition is important for optimizing nutrition programs for broodmares. Additionally, accurately measuring milk composition is important for many research studies. Different techniques have been used to collect milk samples, however, the effect time of collection after feeding has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term changes in mare milk composition after a concentrate meal. We hypothesized that milk composition, specifically lactose, follows a similar pattern as blood glucose after a high starch meal. Milk samples were collected from four mares at 6 to 7 d postpartum. Baseline blood samples and milk samples were collected, then mares were fed a concentrate meal containing 0.697 g starch/kg body weight (BW). Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture at 60, 120, 240, 360, and 480 min postprandial. Blood glucose was measured using a glucometer (OneTouch Ultra 2, LifeScan, USA). Milk samples were collected every 60 min for 480 min postprandial. Foals were muzzled for 60 min intervals and allowed to nurse at each time point to induce milk ejection. Milk samples (&amp;gt; 50 mL) were collected by hand while foals nursed. Milk lactose was measured using an infrared-based milk analyzer (MilkoScan FT+, Foss, Denmark). Area under the curve for lactose and glucose were calculated using the trapezoid method. Changes over time in milk lactose and blood glucose were evaluated using mixed model ANOVA with repeated measures. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate relationships between variables (SAS 9.4). Results were considered significant when P &amp;lt; 0.05. There was a change over time in milk lactose after the concentrate meal (P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Milk lactose was the least pre-feeding (59.0 ± 0.50 g/L) and greatest between 240 to 360 min postprandial (61.6 ± 0.47 g/L; P &amp;lt; 0.05). Blood glucose changed over time after the concentrate meal (P = 0.0365). Pre-feeding glucose was 88.25 ± 2.10 mg/dL which increased to 126.75 ± 10.82 mg/dL by 60 min postprandial (P &amp;lt; 0.05). By 240 min blood glucose was similar to pre-feeding (91.25 ± 6.90 mg/dL; P &amp;gt;0.05). Mean blood glucose AUC was 663 and mean milk lactose AUC was 834. Time to peak glucose was 82.5 min whereas time to peak milk lactose was 225 min. There was no relationship between peak blood glucose and peak milk lactose (P = 0.7311) or AUC for blood glucose or milk lactose (P = 0.8256). The lack of significant relationships may be due to the small sample size. The results from this pilot study demonstrated short term changes in milk lactose after a concentrate meal. Collecting milk samples between 240 to 360 min may be suitable to evaluate dietary effects on milk lactose. However, additional research is needed to evaluate other milk components.

Localized mammary gland changes in milk composition and venous blood metabolite concentrations result from sterile subclinical mastitis

Subclinical mastitis reduces milk yield and elicits undesirable changes in milk composition, but the mechanisms resulting in reduced milk production in affected mammary glands are incompletely understood. This study investigated the effects of sterile inflammation on mammary gland metabolism by assessing changes in milk and venous blood composition. Mid-lactation primiparous Holstein cows (n = 4) had udder halves randomly allocated to treatments; quarters of 1 udder half were infused with 2 billion cfu of formalin fixed Staphylococcus aureus (FX-STAPH) and quarters of the opposite udder half infused with saline (SAL). Blood samples were collected from the right and left subcutaneous abdominal veins in 2.6 h intervals until 40 h post challenge and analyzed for blood gas and metabolite concentrations. Milk from FX-STAPH udder halves had significantly increased SCS by first milking at 8 h post-challenge. By 16 h post-challenge, FX-STAPH udder halves had increased concentrations of protein and lactate and lower lactose concentrations than SAL udder halves. Milk fat concentrations, milk yields, energy corrected milk yields, and the ferric reducing antioxidant power of milk were not significantly different between SAL and FX-STAPH udder halves. Venous blood of FX-STAPH halves had marginally greater concentrations of saturated O2, partial pressures of O2, and glucose concentrations than SAL halves. Conversely, total and partial pressures of CO2 did not differ between udder half treatments suggesting a shift in local metabolite utilization in FX-STAPH udder halves. These results indicate that changes in milk composition resulting from mastitis are accompanied by changes in some key blood metabolite concentrations. The shift in venous blood metabolite concentrations, along with the marked increase in milk lactate, suggests that local mammary tissue and/or recruited and immune cells alters metabolite usage in mammary tissues. Future studies are needed to quantify the uptake of key milk precursors during mastitis.

Antibiograms, multidrug resistance, and milk-related parameters of bacteria isolated from milk of dairy cattle in Phatthalung, Thailand.

Milk, a nutritious food, is widely consumed in human diets; however, contamination by micro-organisms can negatively impact its quality and consumer health. Contamination by micro-organisms affects the quality of milk, which can affect the quality of the milk production chain. This study aimed to determine the changes in milk composition and antibiotic susceptibility related to bacteria isolated from dairy cow milk. Raw milk samples were collected from 72 dairy cows. All milk samples were subjected to the California Mastitis Test (CMT) for CMT score determination. We also investigated milk composition, bacterial culture (BC), and antibiotic susceptibility. About 47.22% and 30.56% of dairy cattle were positive for CMT + BC and automatic somatic cell count (ASCC) + BC, respectively. Fecal appearance and animal age were found to be risk factors for ASCC + BC positivity in dairy cattle. Bacteria were found in approximately 76% of milk samples, with the most common isolated species being α-hemolytic Streptococcus spp., coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp., and Escherichia coli. Of these, 70% are resistant to at least one antibiotic. Variation in the multidrug resistance pattern was high in Klebsiella spp. Fecal appearance and animal age are risk factors for ASCC + BC positivity in dairy cattle. This study identified antibiotic and multidrug resistance patterns, which require comprehensive studies and effective surveillance systems. Remarkably, the use of antibiotic therapy in dairy cattle should be monitored.

The Influence of Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rbST) on the Metabolic Profile and Milk Composition of Lactating Murrah Buffalo.

The use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) leads to an increase in variable amounts of milk production in buffalo, but there is a lack of information on the influence of rbST on their metabolism. This study looked at the effects of a single 500 mg dose of rbST on the lipid profile, liver and kidney function, and physical, chemical, and cellular constitution of milk in 14 buffalo over 14 days, from the 100th day of lactation, compared with 14 animals in a control group. From the first day after rbST, there was a rise in beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-HBO), possibly due to higher dry matter intake or the biotransformation of NEFA into β-HBO. The treatment did not influence blood glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, AST, GGT, bilirubin, urea, or creatinine levels. In 71.3% of the buffalo, there was a gradual increase in milk production, with the maximal response occurring in the first week followed by a gradual decrease, whilst in 21.4%, the increase in production occurred between 7 and 10 days. Only 7.1% of the animals did not respond. On the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 10th days after treatment, an increase was found in daily milk production between the two groups equal to 1.04, 1.52, 1.42, and 1.06 L, respectively. In relative terms, this means an increase in milk production, respectively, of 15.1%, 21.0%, 19.8%, and 15.1%. The constitution of the milk showed no difference in the amounts of fat, lactose, total solids, or somatic cell count; however, on the third day after rbST administration, there was a decrease in protein. Notably, from the fifth day, the protein values showed no statistical difference. It can be concluded that the use of rbST in buffalo from the 100th day of lactation is metabolically safe since the treatment neither caused imbalances in fat metabolism nor overloaded the liver or renal function, and the changes in milk composition were transient and limited to a decrease in milk protein.

MODIFICAREA COMPOZIŢIEI CHIMICE ŞI A PROPRIETĂŢILOR LAPTELUI DE VACĂ PRIN AMESTEC DE LAPTE AL ALTOR SPECII DE ANIMALE DOMESTICE

In the Republic of Moldova, cow milk serves as the main source of raw material for dairy production, resulting in a diverse range of dairy products through industrial processing. However, due to a shortage of raw materials in the dairy industry, particularly among small-scale producers, goat or ewe milk is often added to cow milk, especially in individual households. This study evaluates the organoleptic properties and physicochemical characteristics of whole cow milk and cow milk mixed with goat and sheep milk. The organoleptic characteristics of cow milk did not change when mixed with goat milk. However, mixing cow milk with sheep milk (30%) changed colour from yellowish-white to uniform-white, and the odour became specifically pronounced. Physico-chemical parameters underwent changes in both types of mixtures. The water content in cow milk decreased from 87.26% to 86.07% with increasing percentages of added goat milk, while mixing with sheep milk led to a decrease from 87.30% to 85.53%. Dry matter content increased by 1.19% and 1.76% respectively. Additionally, the fat, protein, lactose, and mineral salt content tended to increase compared to unmixed cow milk. Although such increases may appear beneficial, deviations from the specific chemical composition can impact the technological properties of cow milk, complicating its processing. În Republica Moldova sursa principală de lapte este reprezentată de laptele de vacă. El este materia primă de bază care este supusă procesării industriale şi din care se obţine o gamă largă de produse lactate de uz alimentar. Luând în consideraţie că industria lactatelor din Republica Moldova are un deficit de materie primă unii mici producători, mai cu seamă din gospodăriile individuale recurg la includerea în laptele de vacă a laptelui de capră sau a laptelui de oaie. În această lucrare s-au evaluat proprietățile organoleptice și indicii fizico-chimici ai laptelui de vacă integral și ai laptelui de vacă amestecat cu lapte de capră și lapte de oaie. Indicii оrgаnоlеptici аi lаptеlui dе vаcă nu аu sufеrit schimbări în cаzul fаlsificării prin аdаоs dе lаptе dе cаpră. Laptele de vacă amestecat cu lapte de oaie (30%) și-a schimbat culoarea din alb-gălbuie în albă uniformă și mirosul a devenit specific pronunțat. Indicii fizico-chimici au suferit modificări în ambele cazuri de falsificare. Cоnţinutul dе аpă în lаptеlе dе vаcă s-a redus de la 87.26% la 86.07% odаtă cu crеştеrеа cоtеi dе аdaos а lаptеlui dе cаpră, iar în cazul amestecului cu lapte de oaie – de la 87.30 % la 85.53%. Conținutul de substanță uscată s-a mărit cu 1,19% și 1.76%, respectiv. Conținutul de grăsime, proteină, lactoză și săruri minerale au avut de asemenea o tendință de majorare comparativ cu indicii laptelui de vacă neamestecat. Această majorare pare să fie benefică, dar abaterile de la compoziția chimică specifică afectează proprietățile tehnologice și complică procesul de prelucrare a laptelui de vacă.

Effects of different temperature-humidity indexes on milk traits of Holstein cows: A 10-year retrospective study

Test-day records (n = 723,091) collected between 2012 and 2021 from 43,015 Holstein cows at 157 farms located in northern Italy were used to study the effects of heat load on milk production and composition a posteriori. The data consisted of milk yield (kg/d), traditional gross composition traits, somatic cell score (SCS), differential somatic cell count (%), milk β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB, mmol/L), milk urea (mg/dL), and milk fatty acid composition (g/100 g of milk). Test-day records were then associated with their relative temperature-humidity indexes (THI) calculated using historical environmental data registered by weather stations. Indexes were created using either yearly or summer THI data. The yearly indexes included the average daily THI (adTHI) and the maximum daily THI (mdTHI) measured throughout the whole year, and the summer indexes focused on 3 mo only (June-August) and included the average daily summer THI (adTHIs), the maximum daily summer THI (mdTHIs), and the average daily THI of the hottest 4 h of the day (adTHI4h; 1200-1600 h). All indexes had significant effects on the majority of milk traits analyzed, with, in particular, adTHI and mdTHI being highly significant in explaining the variation of all traits. Milk yield started to decline at a higher THI compared with protein and fat content. The reduction in fat ceased in the elevated THI experienced during the summer months, as demonstrated by adTHIs, mdTHIs, and adTHI4h. The cows had a tendency for increased BHB concentration with elevated THI, suggesting a greater risk of negative energy balance in presence of heat stress. Furthermore, the concentration of the de novo fatty acids C14:0 and C16:0 was reduced in higher THI, reflecting altered mammary gland activity upon elevated heat load and stress. Milk SCS tended to increase with higher adTHIs, mdTHIs, and adTHI4h. The use of yearly indexes is recommended when investigating the effects of heat load on milk composition, whereas summer indexes are suggested when investigating traits influenced by extreme conditions, such as SCS and milk yield. With global temperatures expected to further rise in the upcoming decades, early and easy identification of cows or herds suffering from heat stress, such as through changes in milk composition, is crucial for timely intervention. Adapting measures to mitigate such effects of elevated THI on milk yield and composition is a necessity for the dairy industry to prevent detrimental impacts on dairy production.

Milk composition and haematological changes in sub clinical mastitis affected cows

Milk composition and haematological changes in sub clinical mastitis affected cows