Eighth Week Of Lactation Research Articles

Impact of specific essential oils blend on milk production, serum biochemical parameters and kid performance of goats

Effects of cinnamon, thyme, and peppermint essential oils blend (EOB) on milk production, serum constituents, and energy balance of early lactating does and performance of their kids were investigated. Twenty-seven late pregnant Damascus goats were grouped into two treatments: EOB (n = 14) received orally 1.5 ml EOB/d and control (n = 13) received orally 1.5 ml water/d. The trail started 15 days before the expected kidding date and lasted for 30 days postpartum while sample collection continued until the eighth week of lactation. Milk yield and composition, maternal metabolic profile, immunoglobulin (IgG), and weights of kids were monitored throughout 8 consecutive weeks postpartum. Energy corrected milk (ECM), milk energy value (MEV), net energy for lactation (NEL), and energy balance were estimated. Does treated with EOB had higher (p < 0.05) milk yield, ECM, and NEL than control. Treated does had higher (p = 0.02) energy balance than control does. The EOB increased (p < 0.05) concentrations of serum albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and IgG. Treatment with EOB improved (p < 0.05) weaning weight and total weight gain of single kids. Administration of EOB for 45 days during the transition period could improve milk production, metabolic status and energy balance of goats and performance of kids.

Lamb performance, milk production and composition from ewes supplemented with soybean oil partially replaced by fish oil blend

The objectives of these experiment were to evaluate the effects of small amounts of fish oil blend supply in partial replacement of soybean oil on dry matter intake (DMI), lactation performance and milk fatty acid composition of ewes and also on performance of their lambs. Fifty Santa Inês lactating ewes (63±6kg of initial BW; mean±SD) were penned individually and used in a randomized complete block design with 10 blocks and 5 treatments. The oils were added to a basal diet that contained 700g/kg DM of concentrate and 300g/kg DM of forage (fresh sugarcane bagasse). The treatments were as follows: (1) basal diet without added oil (CONT); (2) 40g/kg DM of soybean oil (0FO); (3) 2.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend+37.5g/kg DM of soybean oil (25FO); (4) 5g/kg DM of fish oil blend+35g/kg DM of soybean oil (50FO); and (5) 7.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend+32.5g/kg DM of soybean oil (75FO). All diets were isonitrogen (140±4g/kg DM of CP). Once a week, from the second to the eighth week of lactation (weaning time), ewes were separated from their lambs, stimulated by a 6-IU intravenous oxytocin injection, and milked to empty the udder. After 3h, milk production was obtained after the same procedure. DMI (kg/d; % of BW and g/kg BW0.75) was higher for ewes fed the control diets vs. fat-supplemented. However, no effect was observed on DMI when fish oil blend inclusion in the diets increased. Nevertheless, milk production increased linearly when fish oil blend replaced soybean oil. As a consequence, the preweaning average daily gain (ADG) of lambs increased linearly. Milk fat concentration was similar for all diets. Milk protein and total solids concentrations decreased linearly when fish oil blend addition increased. Lactose milk concentration was higher for ewes fed the fat-supplemented diets vs. the control. Stearic acid, oleic acid, vaccenic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid and CLA cis-9, trans-11 showed higher concentrations in milk of animals fed diets containing soybean oil and fish oil blend compared to the control diet. Vaccenic acid, CLA trans-10, cis-12, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increased linearly with fish oil blend inclusion. Small amounts of fish oil supplementation does not exert an additional effect on the concentration of CLA C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 as compered to exclusive use of soybean oil. However, the addition of 7.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend mixed with 32.5g/kg DM of soybean oil is recommended, because it increased the concentration of EPA, DHA and C18:1 trans-11 in the milk, as well increasing the performance of the ewes and their lambs.

Effect of age, gestation and lactation on faecal IgA and calprotectin concentrations in dogs

Faecal calprotectin and IgA have been suggested as non-invasive markers of gut health. Faecal calprotectin is a marker of intestinal inflammation in adults, whereas IgA has been suggested as a marker of intestinal immunity. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of gestation, lactation and age on faecal concentrations of these biomarkers. Thirty puppies, nineteen pregnant or lactating bitches and eighty-nine healthy control adult dogs were included in the study. Faeces were collected from the fourth week of gestation until the eighth week of lactation in pregnant and lactating bitches, and between 4 and 9 weeks of age in puppies. Faeces from the eighty-nine healthy control adult dogs were also collected. Faecal calprotectin and IgA concentrations were measured. Faecal calprotectin concentrations in control dogs were significantly lower than faecal calprotectin concentrations in puppies between 4 and 6 weeks of age (P<0·001) or between 7 and 9 weeks of age (P=0·004). Puppies between 4 and 6 weeks of age had significantly higher faecal IgA concentrations compared with puppies between 7 and 9 weeks of age (P=0·001). Bitches during their second month of lactation had significantly lower faecal IgA concentrations compared with their first month of lactation (P=0·049). Faecal calprotectin and IgA have been suggested as non-invasive and easily measured biomarkers of gut health in adults. However, the present study underlines that faecal IgA and calprotectin concentrations vary markedly depending of physiologic factors such as gestation, lactation and age. These factors need to be considered when these faecal biomarkers are used for evaluation of intestinal immunity or inflammation.

Condição corporal e desempenho produtivo de cabras Alpinas no início de lactação

Objetivou-se avaliar a influência da condição corporal ao parto sobre os parâmetros produtivos de cabras Alpinas no início da lactação. Sessenta e oito cabras foram distribuídas em três grupos, de acordo com o escore de condição corporal (baixo, entre 1,00 e 2,75; intermediário, entre 2,75 e 3,50; e alto, entre 3,50 e 5,00) e avaliadas do parto até a oitava semana de lactação. Realizaram-se o controle diário do consumo alimentar e da produção leiteira e avaliações semanais de peso corporal, escore da condição corporal e composição do leite. Os animais com escore corporal alto apresentaram menor consumo de matéria seca, fibra em detergente neutro e proteína bruta em comparação àqueles com escores corporais baixo e intermediário. O período médio de recuperação do consumo de matéria seca dos animais das três condições corporais foi de 16 dias (2,3 semanas) do pós-parto, com estabilização até o final do experimento. Na sexta semana de lactação, o peso corporal dos animais com escore corporal baixo se igualou ao daqueles com escore corporal intermediário. Não houve efeito da condição corporal ao parto nas variações de ECC e da produção leiteira ao longo do período. O teor de gordura do leite dos animais com escore corporal alto foi menor nas duas primeiras semanas pós-parto em comparação ao dos animais com escores corporais baixo e intermediário. Elevada condição corporal ao parto influencia negativamente o consumo voluntário de cabras leiteiras no início da lactação, mas quando se utiliza dieta de alta qualidade e com altos níveis de energia, a influência da condição corporal ao parto inexiste para variações de peso, de escore da condição corporal e produção leiteira dos animais.

Milk yield, milk composition, eating behavior, and lamb performance of ewes fed diets containing soybean hulls replacing coastcross (Cynodon species) hay1,2

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of replacing coastcross hay NDF by soybean hull (SH) NDF on the lactation performance and eating behavior of ewes and also on the performance of their lambs. Fifty-six Santa Inês lactating ewes (56.1 +/- 6.8 kg of initial BW; mean +/- SD) were penned individually and used in a randomized complete block design with 14 blocks and 4 treatments. Diets were formulated to provide similar concentrations of NDF (56%) and CP (16%). The SH NDF replaced 33 (SH33), 67 (SH67), or 100% (SH100) of the NDF contributed by coastcross hay in a 70% forage-based diet (SH0), resulting in SH inclusion rates of 0, 25, 54, and 85% of the dietary DM. Once a week, from the second to the eighth week of lactation (weaning time), ewes were separated from their lambs, stimulated by a 6-IU i.v. oxytocin injection, and hand milked to empty the udder. After 3 h, milk production was obtained after the same procedure. Quadratic effect for milk production (142.4, 179.8, 212.6, and 202.9 g/3 h) and cubic effect for DMI (2.27, 2.69, 3.25, and 3.00 kg/d) were observed as SH inclusion increased from 0 to 85% of the dietary DM. Milk fat (7.59, 7.86, 7.59, and 7.74%), protein (4.53, 4.43, 4.40, and 4.55%), and total solids (18.24, 18.54, 18.39, and 18.64%) did not differ among the 70% forage-based diet and diets with SH NDF replacing 33, 67, or 100% of the NDF. A linear increase in lactose concentration was observed with SH inclusion. Ewe BW gain during the trial showed a cubic response (0.37, 0.03, 4.80, and 2.80 kg) with SH inclusion. The preweaning ADG of lambs increased linearly, and ADG of lambs after weaning decreased linearly with SH inclusion. Final BW of lambs (2 wk after weaning) did not differ among treatments. Eating behavior observations were conducted with 44 ewes. The same facilities, experimental design, dietary treatments, and feeding management were used. Observations were visually recorded every 5 min for a 24-h period when ewes were 46 +/- 6.8 d in milk. Eating time (min/d, min/g of DMI, and min/g of NDF intake) and time expended in rumination and chewing activities (min/g of DMI and min/g of NDF intake) decreased linearly with the addition of SH in the diets. The inclusion of SH improved DMI and milk production, also reflecting on the BW of lambs at weaning. Milk performance was not affected when SH NDF replaced 100% of hay NDF.

Dietary yeast culture supplementation of mares during late gestation and early lactation: Effects on milk production, milk composition, weight gain and linear growth of nursing foals

Summary This study examined the effects of dietary supplementation of pregnant and lactating mares with concentrated dried live yeast culture on the nutrient content and rate of production of milk during early lactation and on the growth of their nursing foals. Pregnant mares were fed the same diets, with or without 20 g/day of yeast culture, from 4 weeks before foaling through the eighth week of lactation. Milk production at the onset of lactation, as measured by the weigh-suckle-weigh technique, was significantly stimulated by yeast culture supplementation, although the effect was only temporary. However, the nutrient composition of mares milk was altered by continued yeast culture supplementation through at least the eighth week of lactation. Gross energy (kcal/100 g milk), sugar, fat, protein and total amino acid contents (g/100 g milk) were significantly increased. The concentrations of a number of individual amino acids tended to be greater in the milk of supplemented mares, but most of these individual differences were not statistically significant. The intakes of energy (Mcal/day), sugars, fat, protein, total amino acids, leucine, lysine, serine and valine (g/day) were significantly greater by the foals nursing supplemented mares through 8 weeks. The foals nursing supplemented mares exhibited significantly greater rates of gain by the fourth week of life, and faster growth at the withers after 6 weeks. The efficiency of converting mare feed to neonatal body mass was 24% greater in the foals of supplemented mares, These data indicate that supplementing mares with dietary yeast culture during early lactation resulted in more efficient and rapid growth of their nurslings.

Lactation in the Horse: The Mineral Composition of Mare Milk

Changes in the mineral composition of mare milk during lactation were studied. Milk samples were obtained from five Thoroughbred mares one to three times weekly from the first to the eighth week of lactation and from two of the mares for an additional 8 wk. Samples averaging 500 mL were obtained after oxytocin was administered to the mares. Each sample was analyzed for total solids, ash, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper and zinc. The concentration of all constituents except sodium and potassium decreased throughout lactation. The rates of decline of ash, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium concentration were similar, but the rates of decline of the other elements differed. Thus, the mineral composition of mare milk should be described in terms of the stage of lactation of the mare. The total solids and ash content of mare milk were 12 and 0.61% respectively, at the end of the first week of lactation, 10.5 and 0.45% at 4 wk, 10 and 0.38% at 8 wk and 10.2 and 0.32% at 16 wk. The calcium, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations at the end of the same periods were 1345, 943 and 118 µg/g of milk at 1 wk; 1070, 659 and 86 at 4 wk; 831, 574 and 58 at 8 wk and 700, 540 and 43 µg/g of milk at 16 wk. Cooper and zinc concentrations were 0.85 and 3.1, 0.55 and 2.2, 0.29 and 1.9 and 0.28 and 1.8 µg/g of milk at 1, 4, 8 and 16 wk, respectively.

The reproductive activity of autumn and spring-lambing ewes given bromocriptine during lactation.

Abstract Reproductive activity during the first 60 days post partum was investigated in three North Country Cheviot (NCC) ewes that lambed in the autumn, and five Poll Dorset and five NCC ewes that lambed in the spring. The ewes were treated with bromocriptine (CB 154, Sandoz) from the first to the eighth week of lactation. Bromocriptine effectively reduced plasma and milk prolactin levels, but this treatment did not induce an earlier onset of ovulation or oestrus in lactating ewes in the autumn or in the spring. A clear seasonal variation in the duration of post-partum anoestrus was apparent in these animals.

Trace element content of breastmilk from mothers of preterm infants in Nigeria

Copper, zinc and iron contents were determined in samples of breastmilk obtained from 15 women who gave birth preterm and 20 women who delivered at term. Copper levels in mothers of preterm babies fell from 0.54 μg/ml in colostrum to 0.30 μg/ml at the eighth week of lactation while the levels in mothers of term babies fell from 0.34 to 0.27 μg/ml. Zinc levels fell from 7.14 to 5.36 μg/ml and from 5.98 to 3.93 μg/ml, respectively. Iron levels fell from 1.05 to 0.70 μg/ml and from 0.56 to 0.43 μg/ml. It appears that breastmilk from mothers giving birth to preterm babies contains significantly higher levels of copper, zinc and iron during the early lactation period when compared to mothers of term babies.

The effects of L-thyroxine on sheep and wool production

1. Three experiments were carried out in this study to investigate the effects of L-thyroxine on sheep and wool production. In the first experiment L-thyroxine was orally administered to ewe lambs from weaning time for a period of 48 weeks. In the second experiment, ten uniform yearling ewes were selected and were randomly distributed into two groups of five; one group was fed daily 7 mg. L-thyroxine per ewe for 7 weeks from 1 April 1954. In the third experiment L-thryoxine was fed as a supplement to lactating ewes over the second to the sixteenth week of lactation at the rate of 7 mg. daily per ewe.2. Differences in both body weight and rectal temperature between the experimental and control groups were not statistically significant. The treatment had also no effect on the body weight of the ewes during lactation.3. Wool growth, as measured by the weight of keratine production per unit of surface area, was increased significantly during the period of thyroid treatment. This increase in wool production was due to an increase in the length of the wool fibres but not to any observable increase in the diameter of the fibres. This effect is different from that produced by a high plane of nutrition where extra wool production is characterized by increase in both length and diameter.4. It was observed that the treated ewes exhibited hypersexual activities characteristic of male behaviour, i.e. jumping and mounting other animals.5. There was a significant increase in the rate of milk secretion over the period. 2–8 weeks. This increase was reflected in an improved live-weight increase of the lambs which were suckling these treated ewes. The difference in milk yield between treated and untreated ewes was not maintained over the nine to ten weeks period of the lactation.6. As a result of these studies it has been established that the normal milking performance of Border Leicester × Scotch Blackface ewes is high as compared with that of other breeds or crosses reported in the literature. The shape of their lactation curve suggests, however, that it is possible that after the eighth week of lactation the ewes may become competitors with their lambs for available grazing. Expressed in another way ewes become less efficient as converters of their food into milk for lambs, for which milk is becoming proportionately a less important component of the diet. This finding raises the question of the possibilities of providing creep grazing or supplementary feeding for lambs so that their growth potential is fully realized. Alternatively, there may, under farm conditions, be grounds for weaning lambs at about 12 weeks so that they may have preferential treatment in regard to available grazing rather than to adopt customary weaning at about 16–18 weeks of age.7. It has been established that a close relationship exists between the milk yield of dams and the growth, rate of their lambs under normal grazing conditions. Because of this strong relationship a regression formula has been tentatively advanced which may permit workers to select ewes for milk yield on the basis of the live-weight gain of their lambs.