Milk Production In Ruminants Research Articles

Comparative analysis between portable glucometers and laboratory method for the measurement of glycemia in cattle

Glucose is considered an important source of energy for cells, fetal growth and milk production in ruminants. Some diseases can be diagnosed by changes in blood glucose levels, which can currently be measured by two methods: the laboratory method and the method using portable glucometers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to carry out a comparative analysis of glucose, measured with a portable glucometer for human use and another for veterinary use, with the laboratory method, considered the gold standard, to assess whether portable equipment can be accurate in blood glucose measurement at field, in cattle. Blood was collected from 17 bovines through the coccygeal vein and the samples were placed in a tube with sodium fluoride for colorimetric enzymatic laboratory analysis, and for the measurement of glucose concentration in portable glucometers, 1 drop of blood was used. The data showed normal distribution by the Shapiro-Wilk test (P = 0.128) and in the comparative analysis provided by the Tukey test (P

Potential of Mulberry Leaf Biomass and Its Flavonoids to Improve Production and Health in Ruminants: Mechanistic Insights and Prospects.

Simple SummaryThe economics of livestock production depends upon the feasible feeding resources as feed costs constitute more than 70% of the total expenses of a livestock enterprise. In this regard, searching for alternative and cheaper feeding resources is imperative for economical and sustainable livestock production. Mulberry leaves are an important resource available for feeding livestock, as they possess quite high protein and energy contents as compared to other tree leaves and conventional forages. Moreover, polyphenolic compounds (mainly flavonoids) present in mulberry leaf (ML) possess excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial potential that can beneficially impact animal health and production. Mulberry leaves and its flavonoids have been shown to increase the feed digestibility and milk production in ruminants, while reducing methane emission. Moreover, mulberry flavonoids can positively influence body metabolism and alleviate oxidative stress in animals. This review highlights the importance of this unique feeding resource for ruminants to increase their performance while reducing methane emissions.Leaf biomass from the mulberry plant (genus Morus and family Moraceae) is considered a potential resource for livestock feeding. Mulberry leaves (MLs) contain high protein (14.0–34.2%) and metabolizable energy (1130–2240 kcal/kg) with high dry matter (DM) digestibility (75–85%) and palatability. Flavonoid contents of MLs confer unique antioxidant properties and can potentially help alleviate oxidative stress in animals during stressful periods, such as neonatal, weaning, and periparturient periods. In addition, mulberry leaf flavonoids (MLFs) possess antimicrobial properties and can effectively decrease the population of ruminal methanogens and protozoa to reduce enteric methane (CH4) production. Owing to its rich flavonoid content, feeding MLs increases fiber digestion and utilization leading to enhanced milk production in ruminants. Dietary supplementation with MLFs alters ruminal fermentation kinetics by increasing total volatile fatty acids, propionate, and ammonia concentrations. Furthermore, they can substantially increase the population of specific cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen. Owing to their structural homology with steroid hormones, the MLFs can potentially modulate different metabolic pathways particularly those linked with energy homeostasis. This review aims to highlight the potential of ML and its flavonoids to modulate the ruminal microbiome, fermentation, and metabolic status to enhance productive performance and health in ruminants while reducing CH4 emission.

Prolactin regulates LAT1 expression via STAT5 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5) signaling in mammary epithelial cells of dairy cows

The l-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1; also known as SLC7A5) is a transporter that allows the uptake of large neutral amino acids into mammalian cells. In dairy cows, LAT1 is highly expressed in lactating mammary tissues and involved in milk protein synthesis. Prolactin (PRL) has a lactogenic role and is capable of inducing milk production in ruminants. However, the relationship between PRL stimulation and LAT1 expression in dairy cow mammary gland has not been well understood. In this study, we showed that PRL stimulation increased expression of LAT1 and β-casein in mammary epithelial cells of dairy cows. The stimulatory effect of PRL on milk protein production was inhibited by LAT1-specific inhibitor or LAT1 knockdown, suggesting that PRL-induced milk protein production is involved in LAT1 expression. To determine whether the PRL signaling pathway participates in regulation of LAT1 expression, PRLR (PRL receptor) or STAT5 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5) was knocked down by short interfering (si)RNA in mammary epithelial cells of dairy cows. Western blot results showed that knockdown of PRLR or STAT5 with siRNA markedly decreased PRL-stimulated LAT1 expression. In addition, we observed a marked increase in plasma membrane expression of LAT1 in PRL-stimulated cells compared with control cells. These observations indicated that PRL signaling can regulate LAT1 expression and activity in mammary epithelial cells of dairy cows, contributing to increased amino acid availability and milk protein synthesis in mammary gland of dairy cow.

Potential use of rumen digesta as ruminant diet-a review.

This review paper is aimed at presenting and discussing the effects of rumen digesta (RD) as an alternative protein source on nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation characteristics, growth performances, and milk production in ruminants. RD is a by-product of abattoir; it is a partially digested feed that mainly originates from rumen of ruminants. RD consisted of 13.5-46.1% crude protein and some essential nutrients (microbial cells, amino acids, minerals, and volatile fatty acids [VFAs]), which beneficially affect the ruminant production. Recent studies have shown that transfer of RD from buffalo to cattle improved nutrient digestibility. Ensiling RD with agro-industrial by-products improved the nutritional value of agro-industrial by-products, such as by improving protein contents and increasing their digestibility. In addition, dried RD could enhance ruminal fermentation, diet utilization, and rumen microorganisms in in vitro, beef cattle and buffalo, which has no adverse effect on production performance. Therefore, utilization of RD is suggested because it improves nutrient utilization, reduces feed costs, and controls waste disposal to the environment.

Improvement in Saccharification Yield of Mixed Rumen Enzymes by Identification of Recalcitrant Cell Wall Constituents Using Enzyme Fingerprinting.

Identification of recalcitrant factors that limit digestion of forages and the development of enzymatic approaches that improve hydrolysis could play a key role in improving the efficiency of meat and milk production in ruminants. Enzyme fingerprinting of barley silage fed to heifers and total tract indigestible fibre residue (TIFR) collected from feces was used to identify cell wall components resistant to total tract digestion. Enzyme fingerprinting results identified acetyl xylan esterases as key to the enhanced ruminal digestion. FTIR analysis also suggested cross-link cell wall polymers as principal components of indigested fiber residues in feces. Based on structural information from enzymatic fingerprinting and FTIR, enzyme pretreatment to enhance glucose yield from barley straw and alfalfa hay upon exposure to mixed rumen-enzymes was developed. Prehydrolysis effects of recombinant fungal fibrolytic hydrolases were analyzed using microassay in combination with statistical experimental design. Recombinant hemicellulases and auxiliary enzymes initiated degradation of plant structural polysaccharides upon application and improved the in vitro saccharification of alfalfa and barley straw by mixed rumen enzymes. The validation results showed that microassay in combination with statistical experimental design can be successfully used to predict effective enzyme pretreatments that can enhance plant cell wall digestion by mixed rumen enzymes.

The effect of rumen protected methionine (RPMet) on milk composition of lactating Cashmere Rayeni goat

BACKGROUND: Methionine has been suggested as the firstlimitingamino acid for milk production in ruminants. It is importanthow to increase milk protein yield and milk fat in dairy ruminants.OBJECTIVES: This study was set to investigate the effect of rumenprotected methionine (RPMet) on milk composition of lactatingCashmere Rayeni goats. METHODS: 40 healthy singletonCashmere Rayeni goats about 3 to 4 years of age, at the first day oflactation, were randomly divided into 2 equal control andexperimental groups. The experimental group was supplementedwith 5 gr/day RPMet for 60 days. Milk samples of 2 groups weretaken on 30th and 60th days of the study. Milk protein, milk fat, milklactose, and milk Solids-not-Fat (SNF) were determined usingautomatic analyzer. The results were statistically evaluated withSPSS. RESULTS: The supplementation with RPMet did not effectall of the above mentioned parameters during the 60 days of theexperiment (p>0.05), except for the milk fat percentage of theexperimental group which showed significant increase after 60days (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results about milk protein,milk lactose, and SNF were in agreement with previous studies thathad not shown significant differences. Results about milk fat on the30th day were in agreement with the results of several authors whoreported that RPMet did not affect milk fat percentage or yield;however, in the present study milk fat increased significantly on the60th day (p<0.05). To the best of the authors' knowledge, no studyabout the effects of RPMet on milk composition of CashmereRayeni goat has been done.

Milk Products and Postmodern Humans: Public Education Fundamentals

Milk production in ruminants necessitates renovation of least available plant materials into most enriched nutrients. This involves pregastric microbial rumen fermentation of plant cells and production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) as substrates for mammary milk lactose, fat and protein synthesis. Thus, milk contains numerous bioactive substances functioning beyond solely their nutritive value. Essential amino acids, specialized casein, lactalbumins and globulins, peptides, nucleosides, nucleotides, unsaturated fatty acids such as conjugated linoleic acids, sphingomyelins, fat soluble vitamins and minerals of mainly calcium are principal examples. Whey proteins are insulinotropic, medium chain fatty acids improve insulin sensitivity, and calcium favorably influences fat distribution. Peptides and calcium can reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Dairy consumption benefits folate availability and lowers blood homocystein and heart attack risks. Very early (< 3 mo of age) neonatal cow milk intake has been related to insulin-dependent diabetes. Non- breast milk intake during early stages of life is unarguably uncommon. Modern nutrition does in no standard circumstances authorize feeding such quite young neonates non-breast milks. Milk sufficiency for neonatal brain, nervous and immune systems, and bone development and tissue growth for even up to 2 yr without major needs for alternative foods is an evolutionary verification for its irreplaceable role in human nutrition. However, the increasing concerns of cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, and related complexities in modern populations due to improper nutrition have contributed to forming a fallacious public perception about milk in general and milk fat in particular as a possible risk factor. Despite such a functional nature of milk in improving human health, the confusion exists where education is suboptimal. Insightful education on milk science must accompany research to enable the public to discern a pseudo- science that unconsciously disregards milk as an animal fat food with serious health risks. With limited saturated fat intake from non-milk sources, increased milk consumption could bear a multitude of positive impacts on health even with high fat content. Milk is a collection of bioactive substances with unique nutritional properties that synergistically optimize the health of mind and physics in different age groups.

Control of milk secretion and apoptosis during mammary involution.

Lactation depends on regular suckling or milking of the mammary gland. Without this stimulus, milk secretion stops and mammary involution is induced. Involution caused by abrupt cessation of milk removal is characterized by de-differentiation and apoptosis of mammary epithelial cells, the extent and time course of the latter varying between species. Apoptosis is inhibited and milk secretion is restored by re-suckling, if milk stasis is of short duration. Mammary involution and apoptosis also occur during weaning, even in concurrently-pregnant animals when the interval between lactations is restricted, suggesting that tissue remodeling is essential for subsequent lactation. Declining milk production in ruminants after peak lactation is also associated with, and probably results from, net cell loss by apoptosis. Involution and apoptosis are controlled by changes in systemic galactopoietic hormone levels, and by intra-mammary mechanisms responsive to milk removal. Milk stasis precipitated by litter removal or cessation of milking may involve intra-mammary control related to physical distension of the epithelium. Local control of apoptosis in rodents during weaning, and after peak lactation in dairy animals, may be due to the actions of milk-borne survival factors or their inhibitors, and can be manipulated by frequency of milk removal.

A potential strategy for decreasing milk production in the ewe at weaning using a growth hormone release blocker2

Following the loss or removal of ewes' lambs, ewes frequently continue to lactate for a short time, which potentially predisposes them to mastitis. Therapies that stop or reduce milk production in such situations would be beneficial. Milk production in ruminants is positively correlated with serum concentrations of growth hormone (GH). We sought to determine whether methscopolamine bromide (MB), an anticholinergic agent reported to block GH secretion, would selectively and reversibly reduce milk yield in lactating ewes. White-face ewes (n = 24) that were nursing lambs were assigned on d 59 +/- 2 postpartum (d 0) to receive s.c. injections of 96 mg of MB on d 2, 3, and 4 (1630). On d 0, 2, 5, and 7 (0900), ewes were sequentially separated from their lambs, treated with 40 IU oxytocin, and 30 s later were milked. Ewes remained separated from their lambs for 6 h, after which (1500) ewes were again milked and quantity of milk was determined. Milk yields at d 0, 2, 5, and 7 were 267 +/- 16.9, 266 +/- 15.5, 225 +/- 11.9, and 244 +/- 13.4 g, respectively. It was concluded that treatment of ewes with MB reduced milk yield (P < .01), and the effect was reversible. A second experiment was performed to determine the acute effects of MB on serum concentrations of GH. Hampshire ewes (n = 14) that were nursing lambs were assigned on d 55 +/- 1 postpartum to receive a.s.c. injection of saline (n = 7) or 96 mg of MB (n = 7) at min 0.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)