Composition Of Cows Research Articles

Changes in the rumen microbial community composition of dairy cows subjected to an acidogenic diet

In modern breeding systems, cows are subjected to many stress factors. Animals fed with a high-grain diet may have a decreased rumen pH, which would lead to subacute ruminal acidosis syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of microbial community composition in cows undergoing a dietary stress challenge. Twelve cows were subjected to a challenge period consisted in a rapid change of ration, from a normal (45.4:54.6 forage: concentrate) to a high-grain content diet (24.8:75.2 forage: concentrate) to induce sub-acute ruminal acidosis. Individual rumen fluid content samples were collected before (T0), and during the challenge (T3, T14, T28). DNA from rumen contents was extracted, purified, and sequenced to evaluate Bacterial populations and sequencing was performed on Illumina MiSeq. The effect of animal conditions on rumen microbial community was quantified through a linear mixed model. The acidogenic diet created 2 main clusters: ruminal hypomotility (RH) and milk fat depression (MFD). The microbial composition did not differ in T0 between the 2 groups, while during the challenge Ruminococcus spp., Treponema spp., Methanobrevibacter spp., and Methanosphaera spp. concentrations increased in RH cows; Succinivibrio spp. and Butyrivibrio spp. concentrations increased in MFD cows. Prevotella spp. and Ruminococcus spp., were negatively correlated, while Christenellaceae family were positively correlated with both Methanobrevibacter spp. and Methanosphaera spp. Moreover, the same diet affected differently cows' microbiota composition, underlying the impact of the host effect. Other studies are necessary to deepen the relationship between microbiota composition and host.

Effect of Dietary Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Fatty Acid Supplementation during the Last Month of Gestation on Fatty Acid Metabolism and Oxidative Status in Charolais Cows and Calves.

Fatty acids (FAs) are of utmost importance in the peripartal period for the development of the central nervous and immune systems of the newborn. The transport of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) through the placenta is considered to be minimal in ruminants. Nevertheless, the cow's FAs are the main source of FAs for the calf during gestation. This research aimed to investigate the influence of low-dose eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation during late gestation on the FA metabolism of cows and their calves. A total of 20 Charolais cows during the last month of their gestation were included in the feeding trial and were divided into a control group (CON) and an experimental group (EPA + DHA). The latter received a supplement in the amount of 100 g/day (9.1 and 7.8 g/cow/day of EPA and DHA, respectively). Supplementation of low-dose EPA and DHA alters colostrum and milk fatty acid composition through the elevation of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) without affecting milk fat and protein concentrations and oxidative status. Plasma composition in cows was significantly altered, while the same effect was not detected in calf plasma. No significant change in mRNA expression was detected for the genes fatty acid synthase (FASN) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA).

Influence of the Sexual Cycle Stage on the Vaginal Mucus Composition in Cows

Introduction. Herd reproduction is the fundamental mechanism ensuring the efficiency of animal husbandry in the past, present and future. The significant problems in cattle herd breeding existing in our country make the researchers continue their search for the new methods, methodologies and means of prophylaxis and treatment of the inflammatory diseases of the animal genital tract. For implementation of these findings, it is necessary to determine the regularities in the cow genital tract protective mechanisms. The present research aims at studying the changes in the vaginal mucosa cytological composition through the alteration of the sexual cycle stages in cows.Materials and Methods. The objects for the study were the newly-calved cows of the Holsteinized black-and-white breed in different sexual cycle stages: the control group included the cows in the stage of equilibration, the experimental group № 1 – the cows in the heat phase of the excitation stage and the experimental group № 2 – the animals in the ovulation phase of the excitation stage. The research was conducted using the set of methods: the pH-metry of the vaginal mucosa for making a semi-quantitative assessment by means of a colpo test and the cytological investigation carried out in compliance with the commonly accepted methodology.Results. During the pH-metry of the vaginal mucosa, no feasible differences were found between the studied groups, namely, in the control group the pH index was 6.58±0.08, in the experimental group № 1 – 6.66±0.10, in the experimen-tal group № 2 – 6.83±0.10. The cytological analysis of the cow vaginal smears revealed the following: the parabasal cells predominate in the equilibration stage (19–25 %), the superficial cells – in the heat phase (58–62 %), whereas in the ovulation phase there increases the number of intermediate cells (30–34 %).Discussion and Conclusions. The relationship between the clinical status, pH level, vaginal mucus cell composition in cows has been traced. The obtained data can be used by the veterinarians of the cattle farms to identify the phase of «silent» heat in cows.

Herbage utilisation method affects rumen fluid and milk fatty acid profile in Holstein and Montbéliarde cows

Compared with maize silage- and concentrate-based diets, herbage-based diets were repeatedly shown to favourably influence the milk fatty acid (FA) profile. However, it is unclear how the herbage feeding mode (grazing vs indoor green-feeding) and conservation (fresh herbage vs hay vs silage) modify the milk FA profile. Therefore, the aim of the present experiment was to investigate the effect of different herbage utilisation methods (including herbage feeding mode and herbage conservation method) on the ruminal biohydrogenation of dietary FA and the consequences on the milk FA composition in cows of two breeds (Holstein and Montbéliarde). Concomitant effects of botanical composition and phenological stage of the herbage on milk FA profile were controlled for by harvesting barn-dried hay and silage simultaneously as first cut from the same ryegrass-dominated grassland in a semi-mountainous region. Seven weeks later, the first regrowth of the same plot was used as fresh herbage, either grazed or fed indoor (indoor green-feeding). Twenty-four Montbéliarde and 24 Holstein cows were randomly allocated to four groups of 12 cows balanced by breed, parity, and milk yield. In a free-stall barn, three groups were given ad libitum access to hay, silage, or fresh herbage, respectively. The fourth group was strip-grazing. All cows were supplemented with 3 kg DM/day of the same energy-rich concentrate. After 2 weeks of adaptation to the forage, samples of forage, concentrate, milk, blood, and rumen fluid were collected. Fatty acid composition of forages, rumen fluid, and milk was analysed by gas chromatography. Haymaking reduced total FA content of the herbage, in particular that of linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA). Still, rumen fluid lipids of hay-fed cows had the highest proportion of rumenic acid, LA, ALA, and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Milk fat from hay-fed cows had the highest proportion of LA, and the apparent transfer rates from feed to milk of LA and ALA were higher in hay-fed cows than in silage-fed cows. The proportion of PUFAs was highest in milk fat from grazing and indoor green-fed Montbéliarde cows and lowest in silage-fed cows of both breeds. In conclusion, the herbage utilisation method affects the ruminal biohydrogenation of LA and ALA, whereby herbage drying particularly increases their transfer from herbage to milk.

PSVIII-5 Impact of Forage Allowance During mid- to Late-Gestation on the Performance of the cow/Calf Pair

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the effect of different forage allowance in the mid to late gestation on the performance of the cow/calf pair. The experiment started at the final 151 days of gestation (D-151) until weaning (D205). Nellore cows pregnant with male calves [n = 56; 444±42 kg body weight (BW)] were blocked by the initial BW and randomly assigned to receive different forage allowances (FA): (1) Low (LFA; 2.81 kgDM)/kgBW; and (2) High (HFA; 7.58 kgDM/kgBW) until calving (d0); divided into 6 blocks and 12 paddocks of 7.5 ha each consisting of forage Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, without application of treatment after d0. Cows received a protein supplement (33% TDN and 50% CP) with a supply of 0.1% BW/day from d-151 to d0 and ad libitum mineral mixture from d0 to d205. Fasting BW, body condition score (BCS) on d-151, d0 and d205, mean daily gain (ADG), and milk production and composition of cows on d30, d120 and d205, and d0, d120 and d205 were used in determining ADG. The data analyzed by ANOVA using PROC MIXED, SAS 9.4. HFA cows showed greater BW, ADG and BCS with the FA × period interaction effect (P< 0.01) in D-151 to the D0. The BW was similar for cows kept in LFA and HFA, greater ADG for LFA; however, the BCS was greater for HFA from d0 to d205. Milk production and composition were not affected by the FA x period (P≥0.21). The performance of HFA calves showed greater BW with the interaction effect of FA x period (P=0.05) and without effect of FA x period (P=0.13) on ADG. In conclusion, the low forage allowance promoted a feed restriction capable of reducing the performance of the cows and consequently reducing the performance of the offspring from birth to weaning.

Effect of Duration of High-Grain Feeding on Chewing, Feeding Behavior, and Salivary Composition in Cows with or without a Phytogenic Feed Supplement

Simple SummaryThis study evaluated the effects of the duration of high-grain feeding and a phytogenic feed supplement on the chewing, eating, and lying behavior as well as the salivation dynamics in dairy cows. A control group of cows with no supplementation was compared to a group receiving a phytogenic feed supplement. An increased duration of the high-grain diet increased meal size, but reduced rumination, the total chewing time, and the chewing index. Similarly, as the experiment progressed, the cows sorted against short feed particles. The results also showed that the duration on the high-grain diet increased the salivary pH; however, the salivary phosphate decreased at the start of high-grain feeding. Feed ensalivation also decreased after 4 weeks of consuming the high-grain diet. The supplemented cows sorted in favor of fiber-rich feed particles in week two and had greater salivary pH in week four on the high-grain diet. Our study showed that the duration of feeding exacerbates the negative impacts of high-grain diets in cows. However, supplementation with the feed additive mitigated some of these negative effects.Switching diets from forage to a high-grain (HG) diet increases the risk of rumen fermentation disorders in cattle. However, the effects of the duration of the HG feeding, after the diet switch, on animal behavior and health have received considerably less attention. This experiment primarily aimed to assess the effects of the duration of an HG diet on the chewing, eating, and lying behavior and salivation dynamics in a control group (CON) and a group of cows receiving a phytogenic feed supplement (TRT) at 0.04% (DM basis), which included L-menthol, thymol, eugenol, mint oil, and cloves powder. The experiment was a crossover design with nine non-lactating cows, and two experimental periods with an intermediate washout of four weeks. In each period, the cows were first fed a forage diet for a week to collect baseline measurements representing week 0; then, the diet was switched over a week to HG (65% concentrate), which was fed for four continuous weeks (week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4 on an HG diet, respectively). The cows were divided in two groups of four and five animals and were randomly allocated to CON or TRT. The data analysis revealed that at the start of the HG feeding, the dry matter intake and the cows’ number of lying bouts increased, but the eating time, rumination time, and meal frequency decreased, resulting in a greater eating rate. We also found that an advanced duration on an HG diet further decreased the rumination time, total chewing time, chewing index, and sorting in favor of short feed particles, with the lowest values in week 4. The feed bolus size increased but feed the ensalivation decreased in week 4 compared to week 0. The dietary switch increased salivary lysozyme activity, and the advanced duration on the HG diet increased salivary pH, but salivary phosphate decreased in weeks 1 and 2 on the HG diet. Supplementation with TRT increased sorting in favor of physically effective NDF (peNDF) in week 2 and increased salivary pH in week 4 on an HG diet. Overall, the negative effects of the HG diet in cattle are more pronounced during the initial stage of the HG feeding. However, several detrimental effects were exacerbated with the cows’ advanced duration on feed, with host adaptive changes still observed after 3 and 4 weeks following the diet switch. The TRT mitigated some of the negative effects through the temporal improvement of the salivary properties and the intake of peNDF, which are known to modulate rumen fermentation.

Effects of dietary energy density and feeding strategy during the dry period on feed intake, energy balance, milk production, and blood metabolites of Holstein cows

Our study aimed to assess the effects of dietary energy density and strategy of delivery during the dry period on production and metabolic responses of Holstein cows free of displacement of abomasum, retained placenta, metritis, or hypocalcemia. Twenty-seven multiparous cows dried-off 50 d before calving were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: a controlled energy, high-fiber diet [CE; 1.39 Mcal net energy for lactation (NEL)/kg of dry matter (DM)] formulated to supply 100% of the NEL requirement at ad libitum intake; or a higher energy diet (1.58 Mcal/kg) fed either at ad libitum (HE) or restricted (RE) intake to supply ∼150 or 80% of the NEL requirements, respectively. After calving, all cows were fed the same lactation diet. Cows were individually fed and remained in the study until 28 d postpartum. Data were analyzed using 2 contrasts: CE versus HE (effect of diet composition in cows fed for ad libitum DM intake) and HE versus RE (effect of ad libitum or restricted intake of the same diet). Prepartum intakes of DM and NEL as well as energy balance (EB), were greater for HE than CE and greater for HE than RE. Body weight (BW) gain was higher in HE than in RE, but CE and HE did not differ. Change in body condition score did not differ between CE and HE or HE and RE. Postpartum intakes of DM and NEL, EB, BW, body condition score, calf birth BW, milk yield, and milk components did not differ between CE and HE or HE and RE. Concentrations of glucose, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, Ca, and Mg pre- and postpartum did not differ among diets. Although sample size was low, dry period plane of energy intake affected prepartum DM intake, EB, and BW gain but did not affect postpartum intakes of DM and NEL, yields of milk and milk components, or blood metabolites in healthy cows.

The Investigation of β-case in gene polymorphism and its relationship with milk composition in cows

To study the polymorphism of β-casein gene and its effecton the quality of cow's milk the research was conducted in the breeding herds of Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy, Lebedynand Simmental breeds. Genotyping of 200 head of cattle wascarried out. Determination of β-casein gene polymorphismwas performed in the genetic laboratory of Bohomolets Institute of Physiology. The TagMan@Genotyping system and aset of primers and probes were used for allelic discrimination.It was found that the frequencies of alleles A1 (0.294-0.380) and A2 in the locus of β-casein gene differed in animals of different breeds. The highest frequency of the desiredallele A2 had the population of Lebedyn breed cows (0.706),while the lowest was in Simmental ones (0.620). The frequency of A1 allele was the lowest in the cows of Lebedyn breed(0.294), and the highest in Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairybreed (0.380). Accordingly, the frequencies of genotypesA1A1, A1A2 and A2A2 differed depending on the origin. Thedesired genotype was more common in animals of UkrainianBlack-and-White Dairy and Lebedyn breeds (53-52%, respectively). Heterozygous genotype occurred more frequently in animals of Lebedyn and Simmental breeds (37%). Thehighest frequency of A1A1 genotype was characteristic ofanimals of Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy and Simmentalbreeds (20%). According to the genetic and statistical analysis, there was an excess of homozygous variants of A1A1 andA2A2 in β-casein locus, and a lack of heterozygous A1A2.At the same time in animals of Ukrainian Black-and-WhiteDairy breed, the difference between the actual and expecteddistribution of genotypes was statistically significant.There was a difference in the quality characteristics ofmilk between animals of different genotypes. In animals ofdifferent breeds, the content of certain components of milkdid not vary equally depending on theβ-casein genotype, butthis difference was statistically insignificant.Cows of Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy breed withhomozygous A1A1 genotype exceeded others in terms offat content, those with heterozygous A1A2 genotype had anadvantage in terms of protein, lactose and dried skimmedmilk remainder (DSMR). Animals of Lebedyn breed with theA2A2 genotype predominated animals of other genotypes inall investigated indicators of milk quality. Animals of Simmental breed with the desired A2A2 genotype had a lower fatcontent in milk compared to animals of other genotypes andthe average values in the sample. These animal together withA1A1 homozygotes had higher protein content in milk thanheterozygous animals and average values in the sample. Inour opinion the small number of experimental animals wasone of the reasons for the lack of a definite difference betweenthe average values of the milk components of cows of different β-casein genotypes. Key words: breed, fatcontent, proteincontent, kappacasein, genotype, allele, sire.

Effect of concentrate enriched with palmitic acid versus rapeseed oil on dairy performance, milk fatty acid composition, and mammary lipogenic gene expression in mid-lactation Holstein cows

This study was performed to characterize the effect of a concentrate supplemented with free palmitic acid (4% on a DM basis; PA) or rapeseed oil (4% on a DM basis; RO) compared with a no-added-lipid control concentrate (CT) on the performance of dairy cows fed a corn silage-based diet over a 9-wk period. After a 3-wk pre-experimental period, 54 Holstein cows were randomly allocated to 3 experimental treatments to receive forage ad libitum with a fixed amount of CT, RO, or PA (8 kg/d for 2-yr-old primiparous; 10 kg/d for older cows). During the experiment, dry matter intake, milk yield and composition, fatty acid (FA) yields and FA profile, and feed efficiency were determined. At wk 9 of the experimental period, the mRNA levels of 10 genes involved in lipid metabolism in mammary tissue biopsy samples were measured. Compared with CT, RO and PA increased forage intake. Compared with CT, RO increased concentrate intake, the value being intermediate for PA. Compared with CT, RO increased milk yield (+2.0 kg/d) and decreased milk fat and protein content (-3.8 and -1.2 g/kg, respectively), whereas PA increased milk fat content (+4.1 g/kg). Compared with CT and RO treatments, PA increased milk fat yield (+179 g/d) and 3.5% fat-corrected milk and energy-corrected milk output (+2.8 and +2.3 kg/d, respectively), and thus improved feed efficiency (+7.3%). Compared with CT treatment, RO increased milk contents of the sum of >C16 FA, monounsaturated FA, polyunsaturated FA, trans FA, and n-3 FA, whereas PA decreased these FA contents (except n-3 FA) and also decreased n-6 FA. The variations in milk fat yield and content and FA secretion at wk 9 were not associated with modifications in mammary expression of 10 genes involved in major lipid pathways, except for the transcription factor PPARG1, which tended to be higher in PA versus RO treatment. This study demonstrated that PA improved milk fat yield and feed efficiency compared with RO and suggests that factors other than gene expression, such as substrate availability for mammary metabolism or other levels of regulation (transcriptional, posttranscriptional, translational or posttranslational), could play a key role in milk fat and FA responses to changes in diet composition in cows.

Meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of including molasses in the diet for dairy cows on performance, milk fat synthesis and milk fatty acid

Different types of molasses have been included in diets for ruminant animals, mainly as a substitute for energetic ingredients, such as corn and sorghum. However, the positive effect of this inclusion on the performance, fatty acid profile and composition of cows’ milk is not yet clear. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate by meta-analysis the effect of including molasses in diets for dairy cows on the milk fatty content and fatty acid in milk. The eleven peer-reviewed publications with 52 treatments means were included in data set. The effect of including molasses in the diet of dairy cows were evaluated using random effect models to examine the weighted mean differences (WMD) between molasses treatment (diets with molasses inclusion) and control treatment (without molasses inclusion in the diet). Heterogeneity was explored by meta-regression and subgroup analysis considering genetic group, days in milk, molasses in the diet (g/kg DM), type of molasses, concentrate in the diet (g/kg DM). The covariates genetic group and days in milk influenced most the variability of responses to the inclusion of molasses in the diet for dairy cows. Molasses supplementation to dairy cow diets negatively impacted animal performance and milk composition by reducing milk yield and milk protein, lactose yield and concentration (with inclusions levels of molasses greater than 60 g/kg of DM). However, inclusions of molasses up to 120 g/kg of DM in diet, did not affect the yield and concentration of fat in milk. The inclusions of molasses in the diet caused a reduction in the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids (Total UFA -10.67%); however, it increased the concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in milk (11.52%), without affecting total of polyunsaturated fatty acids and C18: 2 cis-9, trans-11 CLA.

Advantages of iodopolymer drugs to improve metabolism in cows

Nowadays the usage of iodine medications for the correction of biochemical processes in industrial farming becomes more and more popular. The problem is that total iodine deficiency leads to the failure of normal production of thyroid hormones, which control all types of metabolism: protein, fat, carbohydrate, macro- and microelement, energy. In this regard, thyroid gland transgression comes with the development of severe pathologic biochemical processes, the clinical manifestation of pathophysiological conditions. Highly productive dairy cows are most vulnerable to iodine deficiency during lactation. This is connected with the fact that iodine is intensively released with milk. It is no coincidence that this fact is actively used for naturally iodized milk production. This can be achieved by feeding lactating cows with iodized salt separately or as part of feed additives. It is time to take into account that iodine deficiency of cows is most often manifested by joint pathology with the development of arthritis and arthrosis, pregnancy pathology and impaired reproductive function. Besides, cows’ iodine deficiency reduces the productivity, fat content of milk, weight and fatness. We aim to highlight the problem of cows’ iodine deficiency for managers and specialists of livestock farms. That is why we present the results of clinical studies on the injectable use of an iodized energy-metabolic composition based on an iodine polymer complex, known in pharmacology as iodinol and succinic acid. In our studies, it was found that the injectable use of the original iodine metabolic composition of cows during intensive lipolysis and protein overfeed provided an effective correction of the energy-metabolic process.

Milk microbiome: evaluation study on the differences among cows with a different health status classified by leukocyte pattern

Milk microbiome: evaluation study on the differences among cows with a different health status classified by leukocyte pattern

196 Screening several phytogenic compounds for their effect on ruminal fermentation parameters in cattle fed high grain diet

Abstract Phytogenic compounds, e.g. secondary plant compounds and essential oils, are often used as supplements in ruminant nutrition to modulate microbial fermentation under ruminal dysbiosis associated with high grain feeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of phytogenic compounds on volatile fatty acids (VFA) production and composition in cows affected by subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). Nine substances were tested at low and high dosage (1x and 10x respectively) using nine non-lactating ruminally cannulated Holstein cows, adapted to a 65% concentrate and 35% silage (grass and corn) ration (DM basis). Feeding was restricted for nine hours before providing the substance mixed with five kg of TMR. Each substance and dosage was tested individually on four cows (n = 4/compound/dose) over a period of four hours. Rumen and reticulum fluid were collected before the treatment, and four hours after feeding. VFA were measured with gas chromatography. Ruminal pH was continuously recorded (eCow indwelling pH systems). Data were analyzed with the Proc Mixed procedure of SAS. Seven out of nine compounds showed an effect or a trend on VFA measured, both in rumen and reticulum. Acetic acid in rumen fluid decreased with garlic oil, while low dose mint oil increased its concentration (P = 0.06 and P = 0.01, respectively). Low dose mint oil (P < 0.01) and L-menthol (P = 0.03) both increased the A:P ratio, whereas garlic oil tended towards a decrease in the A:P ratio. Garlic oil and ginger showed negative correlations between total VFA and mean ruminal pH (P = 0.03 and P < 0.01, respectively). Our results suggest that phytogenic compounds can modulate microbial activity within four hours of feeding. The use of phytogenic compounds may have beneficial effects on microbial fermentation under low pH conditions associated with high grain feeding.

Associations between Mammary Gland Echotexture and Milk Composition in Cows.

Simple SummaryTranscutaneous ultrasonography of the four quarters of the cow’s mammary gland with the 5-MHz ultrasound transducer combined with computer-assisted analysis of the resultant grey-scale images have the makings of an inexpensive and rapid technique to determine certain physicochemical properties of the pooled milk. The latter include crude protein, casein and lactose content. The relative ease and practically unlimited frequency with which this method can be used in farm settings makes it an attractive alternative to laboratory testing of milk samples. More studies are needed to determine the suitability of this approach for detecting changes in milk chemical composition in animals with mastitis.Thirty clinically healthy Holstein-Friesian cows underwent twice daily machine milking and ultrasonographic examinations of the udder just prior to and after milking. Digital ultrasonographic images of each udder quarter were subjected to computer-assisted echotextural analyses to obtain mean numerical pixel values (NPVs) and pixel heterogeneity (PSD) of the mammary gland parenchyma. The average milk yield and pH were higher (p < 0.05) in the morning, whereas crude fat, total solids, solids non-fat and citric acid content were higher (p < 0.05) during the evening milking period. Mean NPVs and PSDs of the mammary gland parenchyma were greater (p < 0.05) after than before milking. There were significant correlations among echotextural characteristics of the udder and protein percentage, lactose content and freezing point depression determined in the milk samples collected in the morning and crude protein, casein, lactose and solids non-fat in the evening. Our results can be interpreted to suggest that computerized analysis of the mammary gland ultrasonograms has the makings of a technique for estimating non-fat milk constituents in cows. However, future validating studies are necessary before this method can be employed in commercial settings and research. Moreover, significant inter-quarter differences in udder echogenicity may necessitate further echotextural studies of separate quarters.

Distinct serum metabolomic signatures of multiparous and primiparous dairy cows switched from a moderate to high-grain diet during early lactation

IntroductionFeeding of high-grain diets is common in cows during early lactation, but increases the odds of metabolic derailments, which can likely be detected as undesirable shifts in the serum metabolome signature.ObjectivesThe present study aimed to identify the metabolic signatures of the serum metabolome of early lactation dairy cows switched from a moderate to a high-grain diet.MethodsTargeted ESI-LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics was used to characterize metabolic alterations in the serum of early lactation multiparous (MP, n = 16) and primiparous (PP, n = 8) Simmental cows, according to parity and feeding phase. Data were analysed using different data mining approaches.ResultsCarnitine, acetylcarnitine, propionoylcarnitine, amino acid related compounds cis-4-hydroxyproline, trans-4-hydroxyproline, proline betaine, lysophosphatidylcholine PC a C16:1 and phosphatidylcholine PC ae C36:0 were identified as the key metabolites distinguishing MP from PP cows. A different serum metabolite composition during moderate and high-grain diet was also evident. Notably, cows fed high grain diet had higher serum concentrations of primary bile acids and triglycerides, but lower levels of conjugated bile acids and carboxylic acids during the first week in grain. Amino acids valine, cystine and taurine together with lysophosphatidylcholine PC a C26:0 and several phosphatidylcholines were classified as important features for cluster separation.ConclusionsOur study greatly expands earlier observations on dietary effects on serum metabolome composition of cows. The altered metabolomic fingerprints clearly distinguishable by diet and cow parity hold potential to be used as early diagnostic tools for cows experiencing grain-induced metabolic disturbances.

Analysis of Correlations Between Selected Blood Markers of Liver Function and Milk Composition in Cows During Late Lactation Period

Abstract The knowledge of the existing levels and the interrelationships between various blood and milk parameters is very useful for the analysis and monitoring of homeostasis high-yielding dairy cows. The aim of the study was to evaluate these values and correlations for selected blood markers of liver function aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin, albumin, glucose, cholesterol) and selected milk parameters: somatic cell count (SCC), colony-forming units (CFU), fat, protein, lactose, dry matter (DM), fat-free dry matter (FDM), and milk production in cows during late lactation period. At the same time blood and milk samples were collected from 11 clinically healthy milking cows in later lactation period. The 11 selected cows were examined once a day for 3 days resulting in 33 sets of blood and milk samples for laboratory and statistical analysis. Significant positive correlations were observed between: ALT and albumin, ALT and cholesterol, GGT and glucose, albumin and cholesterol, CFU and fat, CFU and DM, SCC and protein, fat and DM, protein and FDM, lactose and FDM, GPT and FDM, albumin and protein, albumin and FDM, glucose and fat, as well as significant negative correlations between: AST and ALT, AST and GGT, AST and albumin, CFU and lactose, fat and lactose, fat and FDM, lactose and DM, DM and FDM, AST and SCC, AST and protein, AST and FDM, ALT and fat, ALT and DM, glucose and DM, cholesterol and CFU. The results obtained may be important for detecting of different biochemical pathways and helpful in estimating, predicting or determining trends, the direction of changes in liver functions and assessing the risk of alert levels for liver blood markers, when only daily results of milk parameters are available.

Differential Somatic Cell Count as a Marker for Changes of Milk Composition in Cows with Very Low Somatic Cell Count.

Simple SummaryRecently, the availability of a high-throughput milk analyzer performing a partial differential somatic cell count (DSCC) opened new opportunities in investigations on bovine udder health. The information supplied by this new tool would be of importance in cows with a very low somatic cell count (SCC ≤ 50,000 cells/mL). Our investigation confirmed that the repeatability of the measurement allows its use under field conditions. The observational data did not find an association between DSCC and intramammary infections in very low SCC cows. However, our data showed that all the major milk components decreased as the DSCC was raised. These findings confirmed that DSCC could be a new informative tool for dairy farmers to monitor the changes in milk quality. DSCC may be suggested as a marker to identify early changes in milk composition, as a result of an alteration in milk secretion mechanisms.The recent availability of a high-throughput milk analyzer performing a partial differential somatic cell count (DSCC) opened new opportunities in investigations on bovine udder health. This analyzer has a potential limitation on the accuracy of measurements when the somatic cell count (SCC) is below 50,000 cells/mL, values characterizing a good proportion of lactating cows in many herds. We obtained data for cows below this threshold, assessed the repeatability of these measurements and investigated the relationship between DSCC and udder health, milk composition and yield. Overall, 3022 cow milk test records performed on a Fossomatic™ 7/DC (Foss A/S, Hillerød, Denmark) were considered; 901 of them had an SCC ≤ 50,000 cells/mL. These latter samples were analyzed by qPCR to identify the presence of bacteria. Overall, 20.75% of the samples (187) were positive. However, the health status did not have any significant association with DSCC. The analysis of the association of DSCC on milk fat, protein and casein showed a significant decrease in their proportions as the DSCC increased, whereas it was not observed for milk yield and lactose. Therefore, DSCC in very low SCC cows may be suggested as a marker to identify early changes in milk composition.

Тканинна терапія та її значення при акушерсько-гінекологічних хворобах тварин

The effective management of dairy cattle requires study of alternative method therapy, one of which is the use of biogenic stimulators, for the treatment and prevention of functional disorders of the reproductive system in cows. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of tissue preparations were made according to the method of Filatov in the modification of the Department of obstetrics and surgery of the Polissia National University on the biochemical blood composition in cows and to analyze the experience of their application for correction the course of pregnancy, prevention of infertility, treatment of obstetric-gynecological diseases and their prevention. The results of researches of the composition and experience of the application of tissue preparations made from uterus with contents, 3-5 months of pregnancy of clinically healthy cows and mares are presented in the article. It has been established that the composition of fetoplacentat and fetoplacentat-K include micro- and macroelements Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Mn, Co, Fe, Ca, P, K, Mg, Cd, follicle-stimulating, luteinizing hormones, oestradiol and progesterone. The clinical trials of fetoplacentat and fetoplacentat-K To, according to the developed schemes, were conducted more than 10 thousand heads of cattle, including 9.5 thousand cows and firstborn-cows and 700 heifers of the Simmental, Ukrainian red-pied and black-pied, Holstein dairy breeds in the farms of Polissya and in Zhytomyr forest-steppe region. It has been found that the high therapeutic efficacy in obstetric-gynecologic diseases of cows observed after the second and third injecting tissue preparations that show the occurrence and during the full stage of excitation of sexual cycle at 70% of cows, of which 84 % of the animals were fertilized. It has been shown that the using cows in the run and heifers in the last month of pregnancy tissue preparations in conjunction with trivitamin reduces the duration of the stages of calving at 33% and the time from calving to insemination, respectively by 11.3 %. However, it is worth noting that the using of tissue preparations fetoplacentat and fetoplacentat-K does not cause pathological processes in the organism of animals, including the occurrence of Allergy and irritation at the injection site. The analysis of the data clearly indicates that a three-fold introduction of fetoplacentat and fetoplacentat-K was caused the increase of the level of occurrence of biochemical processes in the organism of sterile cows and contributes to full-fledged stages of the sexual cycle and fruitful insemination of cows.

The Dietary Addition of Fish Oil or Sunflower Oil Plus Starch Differently Modulates the Lipid Classes in Plasma of Lactating Cows and Goats

Plasma lipid content and composition are studied in dairy cows and goats fed similar diets inducing milk fat depression (MFD) only in cows. Twelve cows and 15 goats are fed a diet without additional lipids (control), or supplemented with fish oil (FO), or supplemented with sunflower oil plus starch (SOS) in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. A high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HP‐TLC) methodology is used to separate and quantify the following plasma lipid classes: cholesterol esters (CE), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFA), cholesterol (Chol), and phospholipids (PL). The plasma lipid composition reveales that TG concentration is 193% higher in the goats compared to the cows. For cows and goats, FO increases CE (+31%) and Chol levels (+33.7%) compared to the control. The TG concentration is differentially regulated by FO between cows (−23.5%) and goats (no change). In the goats, SOS increases CE (+25.7%), Chol (+46.7%), and FFA levels (+71.7%) compared to the control. These results suggest the existence of different mechanisms of lipid digestion, absorption, and transport between cows and goats and contribute to better understand the differences in the regulation of milk fat secretion responses to lipid supplementation between cows and goats.Practical Applications: A robust HP‐TLC methodology for plasma lipid separation and analysis in automated and reproducible conditions is developed which constitutes an original part of the present study. It has been shown that intake of plant‐derived lipids associated with starch‐rich diets decreases the milk fat content in cows but not in goats. Therefore, the direct species comparison model used in the present study constitutes an interesting tool to compare the responses of plasma lipid concentrations and FA composition in cows and goats fed fish oil or sunflower oil and starch supplemented diets. The direct comparison between cows and goats in plasma lipid class composition is reported for the first time in the present study, with in addition new information about the contribution of intermediary metabolism to differences between the two species in the regulation of milk fat secretion in response to lipid supplementation.Direct comparisons of plasma lipid classes between dairy cows and goats fed similar diets is studied using high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HP‐TLC) methodology and demonstrates significantly higher concentration of triglycerides (TG) in plasma of goats compared to cows, whereas the total analyzed lipid content is higher in cows than in goats. In addition, for both species, diets supplemented with fish oil or sunflower oil plus starch modulates the composition in plasma lipid classes.

Physicochemical traits and sensory quality of commercial butter produced in the Azores

In the volcanic islands of the Azores archipelago, pasture is available the entire year and affects the composition of bovine milk fat. The composition of cows' milk butter manufactured in this region was evaluated. All brands showed excellent microbiological and oxidative quality. The fatty acid profile range presented a low n-6/n-3 ratio (1.81–3.38), low atherogenic (2.86–3.11) and thrombogenicity (3.27–3.60) indices and reduced cholesterol content (136–143 mg 100 g−1). In addition, Azorean butters have a high content of conjugated linoleic acid (0.44–0.64 mg 100 g−1), β-carotene (0.12–0.17 mg 100 g−1) and α-tocopherol (1.40–2.20 mg 100 g−1). Sensory analysis revealed high scores for appearance, consistency and flavour of all brands. These results indicate that Azorean butters produced from cows’ milk based on grass-feeding have a potentially healthier fat content and a desirable flavour that, associated with its “natural image”, may be promoted for product differentiation.