Milk Weight Research Articles

Genetic analysis of daily milk weights in U.S. Holsteins using pen-based contemporary groups

The availability of daily milk weights and pen location information provides an interesting opportunity to capture additional data and review how contemporary groups are defined for dairy cattle genetic evaluations. In the US, dairy cows in larger herds are grouped into pens according to various characteristics like parity, production level, reproductive status, lactation stage, and health status. Our data set included pen location information for each daily milk weight, so instead of using herd-year-season of calving to form contemporary groups, we used herd-pen-milking date to more precisely model the environmental effects cows experience at the pen level on a given day. Our data set included 21,000,951 aggregated daily milk records from 114,243 first parity Holstein cows milked 3 times daily in conventional parlor systems in 157 herds representing 29 US states. Our phenotype of interest was daily milk weight, and alternative repeatability animal models were used to estimate genetic parameters and predict breeding values. Age at first calving (6 levels) and days in milk (10 levels) were included as fixed effects and cow (114,243 levels) was included as a random effect. Contemporary group effects included a fixed or random herd-year-season of calving effect (1,492 levels) and/or a fixed or random herd-pen-milking date effect (285,592 levels). Genetic parameters (kg2; posterior SD) were estimated using GIBBSF90+ software. The additive genetic variance ranged from 10.48 (0.60) to 24.12 (0.66), herd-year-season variance was 10.34 (0.40), herd-pen-milking date variance ranged from 4.91 (0.02) to 4.96 (0.02), permanent environmental variance ranged from 10.65 (0.44) to 16.94 (0.30), and residual variance ranged from 11.81 (0.01) to 14.60 (0.01). Heritability estimates ranged from 0.21 (0.01) to 0.47 (0.01), while repeatability estimates ranged from 0.51 (0.01) to 0.71 (0.01), and mean reliability of sires' breeding value predictions ranged from 0.81 to 0.89. Although caution is needed when disentangling associations between genetic effects, permanent environmental effects, and herd-pen-milking date contemporary groups, our results suggest that using daily milk weights and pen locations may improve the precision of genetic evaluations through increased sire PTA reliabilities for milk production traits in dairy cattle.

PSLBI-3 The use of meloxicam oral suspension (15 mg/mL) to control post-partum pain and inflammation in dairy cattle following dystocia

Abstract Dystocia is painful, given the increased time, tissue damage, and stress associated with handling and forced extraction. Around parturition, dry matter intake is reduced, and cows experience increased inflammatory mediators. This could lead to subsequent health issues, including an increased risk of metabolic disease, reduced reproductive performance, and decreased milk production. Controlling pain and disease are important for animal welfare so it is critical to alleviate dystocia pain and inflammation. The administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) could aid in alleviating the negative sequelae of dystotic parturition. Meloxicam (MOS) is an NSAID with greater oral bioavailability and inhibits cyclooxygenase, the enzyme responsible for converting arachidonic acid to prostaglandin. The reduction in prostaglandin, specifically prostaglandin F2α, resulting from meloxicam administration following a dystotic calving could minimize pain and control systemic inflammation. Objectives were: 1) to demonstrate post-partum administration of MOS in dystotic lactating dairy cows reduces pain (for up to 3 d) as measured by a significant reduction in plasma substance P expression levels (P < 0.05); 2) to demonstrate post-partum administration of MOS in dystotic lactating dairy cattle reduces inflammation (for up to 14 d) as measured by a significant reduction in plasma haptoglobin expression levels (P < 0.05); and 3) to evaluate the safety of administering MOS in post-partum dairy cattle, especially as it pertains to reproductive health. The study included dairy farms in three geographical areas in Canada, with nine farms and 145 cows. Primiparous and multiparous cows identified as having dystotic calvings were enrolled based on observation by the producer or study technician. Cows were randomly assigned to a treatment group of MOS or the placebo within each farm site. Animals received test or control treatment 0 to 12 h post-dystotic calving. The calving and treatment times were recorded. No analgesics was given before calving. Data collected included: 1) pain-related behaviors; 2) physiological markers of pain; 3) physiological markers of inflammation measured as acute phase proteins; 4) vulvovaginal inflammation; 5) physical evaluation including daily observations, body weight, rumination, blood and urinalysis, reproductive evaluation, time to first insemination and daily milk weights. The data are being evaluated and initial results show favorable responses to the treatment.

348 Repeat breeding syndrome: Dexamethasone decreases the prevalence of anti-sperm antibodies in dairy cows

Abstract Cows that require greater than two inseminations to conceive are diagnosed with repeat breeding syndrome (RBS). Anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) in serum are in greater abundance among individuals exhibiting fertility challenges. In humans, treatment with glucocorticoids has been shown to decrease the prevalence of ASA and improve fertility. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the impact of dexamethasone on ASA and pregnancy outcomes in RBS cattle. Holstein multiparous cows (n = 18) diagnosed as having RBS were randomly allotted to one of three treatment groups: Control (C; n = 6), low dexamethasone (LD; n = 6) and high dexamethasone (HD; n = 6). Intramuscular injections of saline (C), 0.05 mg/kg of BW of dexamethasone (LD), or 0.10 mg/kg of BW of dexamethasone (HD) were administered daily starting 4 d prior to insemination (d 0) through insemination (d 4). All treatment volumes were standardized with saline to achieve the same treatment level. Blood was collected on d 0, 4, 8 and 18, with serum extracted on d 0 through 8. Additionally, milk weights were recorded until d 34. For breeding, cows were synchronized using the Double Ovsynch protocol and only one insemination was conducted at the time of breeding. The MIXED procedure in SAS was used to determine the relationship of treatment with the repeated measures of ASA abundance and milk yield. Additionally, a non-parametric chi-square analysis was conducted in SAS using PROC GENMOD to determine the relationship of treatment with immune cell count and pregnancy outcomes. Day, Treatment and Treatment × Day were designated as fixed effects, and a protected post hoc analysis was conducted to account for multiple comparisons. Anti-sperm antibodies tended to decrease (P ≤ 0.082) as dexamethasone increased compared with C, however, there was no Treatment × Day interaction. Daily milk yields for both LD and HD decreased (P < 0.002) compared with C cows, but there was no interaction with day. Though there was an effect for Treatment × Day (P ≤ 0.002) for white blood cell count, percentage lymphocytes, eosinophils, and neutrophils, there was no effect of treatment (P ≥ 0.181). Therefore, interaction differences were largely driven by day (P < 0.001). Surprisingly, there was a trend (P = 0.069) for an increase in pregnancy rates for C cows compared with LD and HD cows. In fact, one-half of the C cows achieved pregnancy compared with just one cow for LD and HD treatments. Overall, dosage of dexamethasone did not differ for ASA or pregnancy outcomes. However, dexamethasone did decrease ASA but did not increase pregnancy rates. Based on these results, we suggest that alternative treatment measures should be explored to improve pregnancy rates in RBS cows.

428 Influence of melatonin supplementation in pregnant multiparous crossbred beef cows grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue on dam weight, milk yield, and pre-weaning growth of steer calves

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the influence of melatonin supplementation in pregnant beef cattle grazing toxic, endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+) on post-calving dam body weight (BW), milk production, and preweaning growth of steer calves. Multiparous cows were artificially inseminated with sex-sorted semen (Y chromosome-bearing sperm) from a single Red Angus sire and maintained on pastures free from E+ fescue prior to the start of the treatment period. Pregnant cows were assigned to one of three treatment groups with two replications per treatment: non-toxic, novel endophyte-infected (NE+) tall fescue without melatonin supplementation (NE+/NM; n = 15), E+ fescue with melatonin supplementation (E+/M; n = 16), and E+ fescue without melatonin supplementation (E+/NM; n = 18). The treatment period was over 70 d between May and July (d 147 ± 1 to 217 ± 1 of gestation). A commercially available feed was mixed with melatonin (100 µg/kg BW) or without melatonin and hand-fed to each cow daily. At the conclusion of the treatment period (56 ± 18 d before parturition), cattle were moved to a single group and maintained on pastures free from E+ fescue for the remainder of the study. Dams and steer calves were weighed at d 0, 28, 56, 84, 112, 140, and 168 relative to calving (d 0 = calving). Four-hour milk yields on d 28 ± 3 and d 56 ± 3 were used to estimate daily milk volume and weight. Dam and calf BW were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS specific for repeated measures with treatment, time, and the interaction as fixed effects and replicate as random. Calf birth weight, dam milk volume, and dam milk weight were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with treatment as a fixed effect and replicate as random. On d 28, estimated daily milk volume and weight were decreased (P < 0.05) in E+/NM dams relative to NE+/NM dams. On d 56, estimated daily milk volume and weight were decreased (P < 0.03) in E+/NM and E+/M dams relative to NE+/NM dams. There was an effect of time for dam and calf weights (P < 0.01). There was a treatment by time interaction for calf body weight, with calves born to E+/NM dams having decreased body weight relative to calves born to NE+/NM and E+/M dams from d 112 to d 168 (P = 0.02). There were no other effects of treatment, time, or the interaction (P > 0.05). These data suggest melatonin supplemented to pregnant crossbred multiparous beef cows grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue during mid-late gestation may increase preweaning growth of steer calves.

Continuous sampling of healthy and mastitic quarters of lactating cattle by ultrafiltration after intramammary ceftiofur hydrochloride administration.

Pharmacological activity of intramammary drugs depends on adequate drug concentrations within the cistern, but sampling is often limited. Insight into the active drug concentration within the mammary cistern may assist in determining effective and appropriate therapeutic decisions for cows being treated for mastitis. Evaluate the disposition of ceftiofur hydrochloride administered intramammary in diseased and nondiseased quarters. Whole milk and ultrafiltrate sampling techniques were compared. Ten mature, late lactation Holstein (n = 9) and Jersey (n = 1) dairy cows (422-670 kg) with naturally occurring clinical mastitis, producing between 1.4 and 15.9 kg/day of milk. Ultrafiltration probes were placed in both mastitic and healthy quarters. Each quarter was treated with 2 doses of 125 mg ceftiofur hydrochloride suspension, and whole milk and milk ultrafiltrate samples were collected. Ceftiofur concentrations in composite whole milk and milk ultrafiltrate were analyzed. The maximum concentration of ceftiofur was higher in ultrafiltrate samples, but no differences were identified in healthy or mastitic quarters. The use of ultrafiltration probes provides a novel technique for free drug concentrations within the mastitic and healthy bovine mammary gland. Significant inter- and intracow variability and lower daily milk weights may overestimate ceftiofur concentrations available within the cistern. The pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters reported in milk ultrafiltrate will help establish a link between the PK and the corresponding drug effect, potentially providing a meaningful rationale for the selection of a safe and effective dose in cows with mastitis.

Ultrafiltration: Effect of process temperature (7°C and 50°C) on process performance and protein beverage physical, chemical, and sensory properties

Our objectives were to determine the effect of UF of skim milk at 7°C and 50°C on UF processing, lactose removal, mineral partitioning, and skim milk retentate physical, chemical, and sensory properties at 3 (3.4%, 7.5%, and 10.5%) protein concentration with 2 different heat processing treatments (HTST pasteurization and autoclave). Pasteurized skim milk was split into 2 portions, and the 7°C UF processing run was done on one day and the 50°C UF processing run was done on the next day. Skim milk was UF and diafiltered at 7°C and 50°C, and as permeate was removed, deionized water at 7°C or 50°C was added in an equal amount by weight, as permeate was removed to maintain constant protein concentration in the retentate during UF until 98% or more of lactose, and low-molecular-weight soluble milk components were removed. All skim milk-based beverage bases from the 7°C and 50°C UF of skim milk were HTST (78°C for 15 s) processed or autoclaved (116°C for 6 min). The physical, chemical, and sensory properties of all treatments were measured. This process was replicated twice with a new batch of pasteurized skim milk in a different week with the 7°C and 50°C UF processing runs done in reverse order. Overall, lactose-free skim milk at 3.4%, 7.5%, and 10.5% protein produced by UF with diafiltration (DF), was more bland, more white, and less heat stable (i.e., stable to retorting but not direct steam injection at 142°C for 2-3 s) than skim milk, based on both sensory scores and instrumental measures. A 98% to 99% removal of lactose from skim milk was achieved (final lactose concentration <0.06 g/100g) with a diafiltration ratio of water to milk of about 4 to 1 was used at both 7°C and 50°C. The processing time to achieve that lactose removal from the same starting weight of milk was about twice as long when filtering at 7°C than 50°C because of the lower flux (23 vs. 48 kg/m2 per hour). The continuous DF at constant protein concentration maintained constant flux for a processing time of 4 and 8 h at 50°C and 7°C, respectively. The final freezing point of the lactose and soluble mineral reduced milk was close to that of water (-0.015°C vs. -0.525°C for skim milk) and the pH of the lactose-free milk at 20°C increased from about 6.5 for skim to about 7.33 and 7.46 for UF with continuous DF of skim milk at 7°C and 50°C, respectively. Removal of compounds that absorb light (in the range of 360 to 500 nm) from milk in the permeate, increased light reflectance and whiteness and decreased yellowness relative to the starting skim milk.

Evaluating milk flow patterns using the high flow rate period during breast pumping

ProblemBreast pumping practices have scope for improvement. BackgroundBreast milk weight measurement can be used to evaluate milk flow pattern dynamics during breast pumping. AimTo determine inter-individual differences in milk flow patterns and their practical implications based on high milk flow rate period (HFP) data among Japanese women expressing breast milk using an electric pump. MethodsThis cross-sectional, observational study analysed data from 19 women (33.0 ± 3.9 years) nursing 1–6-month-old infants and with previous breast milk expression experience. Breast milk was weighed continuously during a 15-min single-breast electric pumping session. The HFP features and flow rate time (≥0.1 g/s) were analysed to determine each individual's milk flow pattern. FindingsThe total expressed breast milk was 69.8 ± 42.5 g with a maximum individual flow rate of 0.5 ± 0.2 g/s. The breast milk yielded during the HFPs was 43.1 (34.4–81.3) g, accounting for 82.5 % (69.9–89.5 %) of the total expressed breast milk. HFP occurred 0–3 times during the 15-min session. Multiple discrete and continuous milk flow patterns were observed. Among those with discrete HFP, the HFP interval was 221 (68–371) s. Breast milk fat content changes and subjective residual milk measurements implied sufficient milk removal. A strong positive correlation was noted between HFP length and total breast milk expression volume. DiscussionIndividual differences in milk flow patterns were observed among the women using HFP. Milk flow patterns were consistent with previous reports. ConclusionMilk flow pattern data can be used to guide individualised lactation support.

Milk weighing scale based on machine learning

Milk weight records are an important source of information for daily decisions on dairy farms. Most milking parlor systems have technologies that record milk production at cow level on a daily basis. However, a great number of dairy farms simply do not have this crucial information because they lack the necessary technology in the parlor systems. The aim of this study is to implement a machine learning-based milk weighing scale exploring the dynamics of milking flow, looking for an alternative strategy for low-cost mechanical milking systems, and/or parlor milking systems without appropriated hardware/software integrated. We developed a milk flow sensor integrated to the milking parlor system to compute the milk flow during milking, and installed some cameras to label real milk weight. The regression model based on machine learning predicted the milk weight with high precision, achieving minimum values of 2.81, 1.29, and 10.26 in terms of mean squared error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), respectively, along with a maximum value of 0.84 in terms of the R2 index. We found that the area under milk flow curve (AUC), the number of milk flushes (MF), and the thirty-seventh to forty-fourth milk flow during milking have the most important influence in the efficacy of our proposed model. Milk flow of 250 cows milked 3 times a day were recorded during 12 days, generating 8,601 milk flow curves. Our preliminary results showed that we can confidently estimate the weight milk produced by a cow using machine learning algorithms to empower dairy farms to make better decisions.

Use of hop extract in the biotechnology of kefir beverage

The shelf life of fermented dairy products is only 3-5 days and is extended by the addition of preservatives to the production process, but the biological value of the kefir beverage is reduced. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using hop extract in the biotechnology of fermented milk beverage. Three samples of kefir beverage were produced: control (K) – using traditional technology based on dry starter “Kefir VIVO”; experimental (D1) – with the above type of starter in the amount of 0.05% by weight of milk and hop extract in the amount of 5% by weight of milk. The experimental sample (D2) was fermented using hop extract (10% by weight of milk). It was found that when using only hop extract for fermentation of the prototype kefir beverage, the duration of the technological process of its production is the same as when using dry starter and does not exceed 7-8 hours. The number of beneficial viable lactic acid microorganisms (Lactococcus lactis ssp.) in the fermented milk beverage made based on hop extract was 1.0∙107 CFU/cm3 . These microorganisms have probiotic properties, which makes it possible to classify beverages enriched with hop extract as functional foods. In the experimental samples made using hop extract, yeast colonies were found in the amount of 3∙107 and 8∙107 CFU/cm3 , respectively. During the experimental storage period, the pH of all product samples was (4.71-4.46). Therewith, the acidity of the sample (D2) increased more slowly. Its organoleptic characteristics were improving. The shelf life has been extended to 10-15 days. The results of the study showed that milk can be fermented with hop extract, resulting in a new functional type of kefir beverage with high organoleptic characteristics, viability of beneficial microflora (lactic acid bacteria and yeast) and extended shelf life

How neonatal diet affects the long-term development of rumination behavior, rumen fermentation and feed digestion in dairy calves fed a high milk level?

This study was to investigate growth performance, rumination development, rumen fermentation and feed digestion in young calves provided high volumes (about 20% of calf birth weight) of milk with or without forage inclusion and how these parameters correlate with each other. Immediately after birth, 160 newborn Holstein female calves (41.6 ± 4.2 kg of initial BW) were randomly divided into 2 treatments: 1) starter (CON, only starter) and 2) starter and hay (HAY, both starter and hay). The calves were fed their respective experimental diets from d 4 to 84, after which they were all introduced to similar diets until the end of the experiment on d 196. Treatment had no effect on growth and structural measurements throughout the experimental period. However, treatment had an effect on the other parameters, mainly during the post-weaning period. Forage supplementation tended to reduce starter dry matter intake (P = 0.05), while increasing the forage intake (P < 0.01) and the feed-to-gain ratio (P < 0.01). HAY calves had increased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and physically effective NDF (peNDF) intakes (P < 0.05) and tended to lower (P < 0.01) starch intake compared to CON calves. The HAY calves had a higher rumination time (P < 0.01), ruminal pH (P < 0.01), and acetate-to-propionate ratio (P = 0.05) compared to the CON calves. Spearman correlation analysis showed that rumination time was positively related to the ruminal pH at d 84 (P = 0.01) and 196 (P = 0.02). The HAY calves had similar apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), NDF and ether extract (EE), but lower digestibility of organic matter (OM, P = 0.03), crude protein (CP, P < 0.01) and starch (P < 0.01) compared to those of the CON calves at week 12. Furthermore, there were no positive relationships between rumination time and nutrient digestibility or between rumination time per kilogram DM and nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, feeding hay to calves fed a high milk level improved rumination during the post-weaning period only, without a concomitant effect on growth performance throughout the experimental period, suggesting no detrimental effect of feeding forage in calves fed high milk level.

Use of Raw, Thermized and Pasteurized Cow’s Milk for Making Siirt Herbed Tulum Cheese.

In this study, Siirt herby tulum cheese was produced using raw, thermalized and pasteurized forms of cow milk taken from a farm. Production and packaging were completed within 24 hours. The pasteurization was made at 72˚C for 1 min, and the termization at 68˚C for 1 min. Cloth formation was made at 32˚C for 90 min. The clot was broken into a 1x1x1 cm pieces, left for 45 min, and then filtered for 15 min. First pressure was applied to the strained curd, to which 1% salt was added, under half the weight of milk for 12 hours. Sirmo (Allium sp.) was added to the curd and a second pressure was applied for 12 hours under a weight equal to the weight of the milk used. Chickpea-sized cheese samples were tightly pressed in a plastic screw cap package, and then ripened at 4 °C for 120 d. The curd efficiency was calculated using the ratio of the amount of curd to the milk. The % yield of raw, thermized and pasteurized milk curds was determined as 26.7, 38.6 and 21.1, respectively. Similar dry matter levels (average 45%) were detected in all three cheeses. It was observed that pasteurized milk cheeses reached appropriate microbiological quality on the first d, pureed milk cheeses on the 60th d, and raw milk cheeses on the 90th d. During the process, the pH of raw milk cheeses increased from 5.4 on the first d to 7.1 on the 120th d. In pasteurized milk, these values were measured as 6.1 and 5.9. Adequate acidity and pH improvement was observed by using pasteurized cow's milk. It was seen that Siirt herby tulum cheese can be produced using pasteurized cow's milk, with a minimum of 20% fat, 20% protein, 45% dry matter and a maximum of 2% salt. The proposed method may be useful for more standard, hygienic and economical production. Further research on the subject and development of the ideal industrial production process can be achieved.

Genetic analysis of lactation consistency in U.S. Holsteins using temporal variation in daily milk weights

The ability of a dairy cow to perform reliably over time is an interesting trait to include in dairy cattle breeding programs aimed at improving dairy cow resilience. Consistency, defined as the quality of performing as expected each day of the lactation, could be highly associated with resilience, defined as animal's ability to maintain health and performance in the presence of environmental challenges, including pathogens, heat waves, and nutritional changes. A total of 51,415,022 daily milk weights collected from 2018 to 2023 were provided for 255,191 multiparous Holstein cows milked 3 times daily in conventional parlor systems on farms in 32 states. The temporal variance (TempVar) of milk yield from 5 to 305 d postpartum was computed as the log-transformed variance of daily deviations between observed and expected individual milk weights. Lower values of TempVar imply smaller day-to-day deviations from expectations, indicating consistent performance, whereas larger values indicate inconsistent performance. Expected daily milk weights were computed using 3 nonparametric and parametric regression models: 1) LOESS regression with a 0.75 span; 2) polynomial quantile regression using the median (0.5 quantile), and 3) polynomial quantile regression using a 0.7 quantile. The univariate statistical model included age at first calving and herd-year-season as fixed effects and cow as a random effect. Heritability estimates (standard errors) of TempVar phenotypes calculated over the entire lactation ranged between 0.227 (0.011) and 0.237 (0.011), demonstrating that cows are genetically predisposed to display consistent or inconsistent performance. Estimated genetic correlations calculated using a multiple trait model between TempVar traits and between lactations were high (>0.95), indicating TempVar is repeatable across lactations and robust to the model used to compute expected daily milk yield. Higher TempVar phenotypes reflect more variation in performance, hence greater inconsistency, which is undesirable. Therefore, correlations between predicted transmitting abilities (PTAs) for TempVar and milk yield of 0.57 indicate that high-producing cows exhibit more day-to-day variation in performance. Correlations with productive life and livability were -0.38 and -0.48, respectively. Correlations between PTAs for TempVar and those of postpartum health traits were also negative, ranging from -0.41 to -0.08. Given that health traits are derived from disease resistance measurements, and higher health trait PTAs are preferred, our results indicate that more consistent cows tend to have fewer health problems and greater longevity. Overall, our findings suggest that temporal variation in daily milk weights can be used to identify consistent animals that maintain expected performance throughout the lactation, which will enable selection for greater resilience to management and environmental perturbations.

A comprehensive evaluation of milk protein molecular weight distribution based on exclusion chromatography dataset

Molecular weight is one of the main characteristic parameters of proteins, which is the basis for the functional properties of milk protein. This research aims at establishing molecular weight distribution pattern of milk protein based on exclusion chromatography. The method selected Na3PO4-Na2SO4 (0.1 M, pH 6.7) buffer as the mobile phase and detected at 220 nm by HPLC-UV. The protein molecular weight distributions were determined and compared for human milk, bovine milk, and infant formula. The proportion of macromolecular proteins is much higher in infant formula compared to human or bovine milk. The protein molecular weights of human and bovine milk are significantly different around 90, 20, 14, and 2 kDa. The results provide holistic compare of bovine milk, human milk, and infant formula through protein molecular distribution. The new evaluation indicators for protein will drive technological simulation of infant formula.

Assessment of the Activity of Creatine Kinase in Rabbits Fed with Extracts of Cocos Nucifera Milk, Cocos Nucifera Water, Vernonia Amygdalina and Prosopis Africana

Despite more specific and sensitive cardiac biomarkers, creatine kinase isoenzyme creatine kinase-muscle/brain (CK-MB) in serum or plasma is still an important parameter for diagnostics of the origin of CK elevations and for disease monitoring. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of varying doses of coconut milk, coconut water, Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) and Prosopisafricana on creatine kinase. Fifteen adult male rabbits weighing between 1.5kg-2.5kg were divided into five groups of three rabbits each. Group 1 was the reference/control group which received no extract, while groups 2,3,4 and 5 received 5ml/kg per body weight (b.wt) of coconut milk, coconut water, bitter leaf and P. africana extracts respectively. Results obtained revealed that creatine kinase concentration in group 2 was significantly (p&lt;0.05) increasedcompared to the control for the 10, 20, and 30 days of administration respectively. Groups 3, 4and 5 showed a significant decrease for the first 10 days. Although, group 3 shows an increase within 20 and30daysadministration as compare to the control. Also creatine kinase concentration shows no significantly difference in group 4 and 5 at 20 days administration but an increase after 30 days administration. Phytochemical studies on P. africana and V. amygdalina revealed the presence of bioactive components comprising alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, steroids and glycosides. The bioactive compounds may be responsible for the medicinal property of these plants that form the basis of their use in herbal medicine.

Dairy Cows Experimentally Infected With Bovine Leukemia Virus Showed an Increased Milk Production in Lactation Numbers 3-4: A 4-Year Longitudinal Study.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is widespread in global cattle populations, but the effects of its infection on milk quantity and quality have not been clearly elucidated in animal models. In this study, 30 healthy first-lactation cows were selected from ≈2,988 cows in a BLV-free farm with the same criteria of parity, age, lactation number, as well as milk yield, SCS, and composition (fat, protein, and lactose). Subsequently, these cows were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 15) or control (n = 15) group, and reared in different cowsheds. Cows in the intervention group were inoculated with 1 × phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) resuspended in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from a BLV-positive cow, while the controls were inoculated with the inactivated PBMC from the same individual. From June 2016 to July 2021, milk weight (kg) was automatically recorded by milk sensors, and milk SCS and composition were originated from monthly performed dairy herd improvement (DHI) testing. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)–qPCR and ELISA showed that cows in the intervention group were successfully infected with BLV, while cows in the control group were free of BLV for the entire period. At 45 days post-inoculation (DPI), the numbers of whole blood cells (WBCs) (P = 0.010), lymphocytes (LYMs) (P = 0.002), and monocytes (MNCs) (P = 0.001) and the expression levels of IFN-γ (P = 0.013), IL-10 (P = 0.031), and IL-12p70 (P = 0.008) increased significantly in the BLV infected cows compared to the non-infected. In lactation numbers 2–4, the intervention group had significantly higher overall milk yield (P < 0.001), fat (P = 0.031), and protein (P = 0.050) than the control group, while milk SCS (P = 0.038) and lactose (P = 0.036) decreased significantly. Further analysis indicated that BLV infection was associated with increased milk yield at each lactation stage in lactation numbers 3–4 (P = 0.021 or P < 0.001), but not with SCS and milk composition. Together, this 4-year longitudinal study revealed that artificial inoculation of BLV increased the milk yield in cows in this BLV challenge model.

Kelor Leaves Infusion as a Alternative in Increasing the Volume of Breastmilk and Birth Weight in Newborn

Background: An increase in the volume of breast milk and baby weight is the hope of every mother during breastfeeding. The consistency and quality of breastfeeding is determined by a mother. Moringa leaves, which is a typical plant in Indonesia, have many benefits, especially to increase milk production and nutrition for infants and children in the growth process. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of morinaga leaves in increasing the volume of breast milk and birth weigh of babies.&#x0D; Method:The design of this study was quasy eksperimental studies with purposive sampling with inclusion criteria. The sample in this study were all breastfeeding mothers on the first postpartum day as many as 30 people. In this study there were two groups, namely the control group and the intervention group. The instruments in this study were Moringa leaves, measuring cups, electric breast pumps, and baby scales and observation sheets. Data analysis used is paired and unpaired t-test.&#x0D; Result:The results showed that there was a difference between before and after the administration of Moringa leaves in the intervention group of 38.95 ml, while in the control group it was 16.1 ml. The baby's weight gain in the intervention group was 585 grams. Statistical results showed that giving Moringa leaves was effective on breast milk volume and infant weight with a significance value of p = 0.00 while in the control group there was a difference in the increase in breast milk volume with p = 0.000 but there was no significant difference in the baby weight variable with a value of p = 0.651.&#x0D; Conclusion: Moringa leaves infusion can be used as an alternative therapy to increase the volume of breast milk and baby weight in the breastfeeding process. Specialized health workers for midwives can assist mothers in educating postpartum mothers in consuming steeped Moringa leaves to increase breast milk and baby weight and support the success of exclusive breastfeeding

Effects of methionine, leucine, and insulin on circulating concentrations and mammary extraction of energy substrates and amino acids in lactating dairy cows

The aim of this experiment was to test whether insulin potentiates the effects of two abomasally infused amino acids (AA), leucine and methionine (LM), on mammary extraction efficiency of energetic and nitrogenous nutrients. Six lactating Holstein cows (155 ± 9 DIM) were ruminally-cannulated and had the right carotid artery subcutaneously transposed. Cows were fed a 20% metabolizable protein-restricted diet and abomasally infused with water (8 L/d) or AA (Met 26 g/d, Leu 70 g/d) for 8 h/d, for 7 days. On the last day of each period, cows were intravenously infused with saline (0.9% NaCl, 110 mL/h) or subjected to 8 h hyperinsulinemic clamp (IC) alongside abomasal infusions. For IC, insulin was infused at 1 µg/kg/h. Normoglycemia was maintained by varying glucose (50% w/v in water) infusion rate based on coccygeal vein glucose concentration. Carotid arterial and subcutaneous abdominal (mammary) vein blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h from the start of infusions. Milk weights and samples for baseline measurements of production were taken on day 5 PM, day 6 AM and PM, and day 7 AM of the experimental period. A final milk weight and sample was taken immediately after abomasal and intravenous infusions on day 7 PM for assessing the interaction between insulin and the infused AA. The experiment had an incompletely replicated Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (abomasal and intravenous infusion). Baseline milk production when cows were only receiving abomasal infusions was largely unaffected by LM, but milk protein yield tended to be decreased. On day 7, LM tended to positively increase milk fat and de novo fatty acid content, and IC tended to decrease milk protein content. Both milk urea nitrogen and plasma urea nitrogen were decreased by IC. Circulating AA concentrations in plasma were decreased by both LM and IC, but mammary extraction efficiency was affected by neither. Infusion of LM had no effect on any energy metabolite analyzed. Circulating non-esterified fatty acid concentration was decreased by IC, with no effect on mammary extraction efficiency. Mammary extraction efficiency of both acetate and β-hydroxybutyrate were decreased by IC. Overall, while both circulating concentrations of energy metabolites and amino acids were decreased in response to treatments, this was not due to improved mammary extraction efficiency.

Kefir milk consumption decreases sperm alterations due to the high‐fat diet in adult male rats

Over the past decades, an increase of male infertility through the decrease of sperm count has been noted. It has been suggested that environmental factors and lifestyle could a negative impact over sperm quality. Among these factors, the consumption of foods high in fat, which leads to overweight and obesity, can negatively influence fertility. The present study was designed to highlight the protective effect of Kefir, natural probiotic, against the decline in sperm quality related to fat high diet. Thirty adult rats were divided into four groups: Control (1ml/100g of body weight (bw) of semi-shimmed cow milk), KM (1ml/100g bw of Kefir milk), HFD (1ml/100g bw of semi-shimmed cow milk + high-fat diet) and KM/HFD (1ml/100g bw Kefir milk + high-fat diet). After 60days of treatment, sperm quality, biochemical assays of lipids profil, blood cell count and histological examination in testis were assessed. The results described an improved of sperm density (64.28 106 ml vs 54.14 106 ml), viability (70.50% vs 55.33%), mobility (65.40% vs 63.60%) and morphological abnormalities (52% vs 25%) in the KM/HFD group compared to HFD group. In the same group, the lipid profil (Triglycerides (128.39mg/dl vs 102.85mg/dl), C-LDL (13.65mg/dl vs 15.32mg/dl) and C-HDL (23.21mg/dl vs 19.15mg/dl)) was corrected compared to HFD group. The histological observation of testis revealed a normal spermatogenesis compared to seminiferous tubules of HFD group, which showed a serious disruption and damage of testicular epithelium exerted by the high-fat diet. These findings corroborated the previous beneficial effect of Kefir and brought new insights into its beneficial effect against deteriorated spermatogenesis in obese adult rats.

Outlook threat at the future climate changes on livestock resources

Food availability is the most important issue that takes the priority places in the policies of all countries all over the world. Recently, more attention has been paid to livestock because of their ability to produce meat and milk, as well as it has a significant source of income for small holders and an economic contributor to the gross domestic product. Climate changes induced physiological stress, which is one of the complex factors making livestock management and husbandry challenging in many geographical locations in the world. Increased body temperature or heat stress will cause production losses in livestock and impact on their ability to maintain normal function. There is considerable research evidence that showed significant decline in animal performance when subjected to heat stress. Heat stress inflicts heavy economic losses on livestock production. The effects of heat stress is evident in feed consumption, production efficiency in terms of milk yield or weight gain per unit of feed energy, growth rate, and reproductive efficiency. The aim of this article is to discuss increasing food production to ensure food security for nearly 8 billion people, without causing further environmental damage that can be achieved by transforming systems and adopting sustainable livestock practices within a changing climate.

Optimization of Quinoa and Soy Milk for Steamed Pumpkin Cake Using Response Surface Methodology

This present study aimed to enhance nutrients and reduce fat content in steamed pumpkin cakes. Two independent variables, including quinoa (30−80% w/w by pumpkin weight) and soymilk (15−60% w/w by coconut milk weight), were studied using response surface methodology. The statistical results showed that the quinoa inclusion had significant linear and quadratic effects (p&lt;0.05). The soymilk showed a negligible effect, and there was no interaction effect between the two variables. Increasing quinoa has decreased all sensory scores of the samples, mainly when replacing pumpkin flesh with more than 50% quinoa inclusion. The pumpkin cake with 30% quinoa and 46% soymilk was the optimal formulation with a 0.936 desirability value. The optimal sample lowered all sensory attributes than the regular sample, particularly the appropriate qualities, such as unpleasant flavor and softer texture. About 54 percent of the consumers were willing to buy the product. The product is healthy with a 14.6% protein increment and 27% fat reduction.