Moderate Body Condition Score Research Articles

Variation in Milk Fatty Acid Composition with Body Condition in Dairy Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Buffaloes usually maintain higher body condition and do not produce milk at the cost of their own body reserves under tropical conditions. The mobilization of body reserves for fulfilling the demands of lactation has been extensively studied in dairy cows while limited work is available on this aspect in dairy buffaloes. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine variations in milk fatty acid profiles with body condition in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. A total of 24 Nili-Ravi buffaloes within 60 days after parturition, were selected from a private dairy farm in the district of Peshawar. All animals consumed the same diet during the experimental period. A total of 576 raw milk samples were collected for laboratory analysis. The study continued up to 6 months during 2008. Body condition score (BCS), milk yield and composition were recorded once a week. Means for milk fatty acid profile were compared for various levels of BCS. The mean milk yield and fat content were 9.28 kg/d and 5.36%, respectively. The total saturated fatty acids (SFA) were 64.22 g/100 g and the unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) were 35.79 g/100 g. Of the SFA the highest amount was recorded for , followed by , and . The total sum of hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (HCFA, , and ) was 43.33 g/100 g. The concentrations of UFA were greater for moderate BCS followed by poor and highest BCS while SFA showed the opposite trend. The correlation analysis showed that milk yield was negatively affected by BCS and milk fat positively affected, though non-significantly. The present study suggests that Nili-Ravi dairy buffaloes produce similar milk to dairy cows regarding availability of cardioprotective fatty acids, with the highest concentration of . Two HCFA ( and ) were associated with higher body condition. Buffaloes with moderate body condition yielded milk containing healthier fatty acids.

The effects of maternal health and body condition on the endocrine responses of neonatal foals

Chronic and acute alterations in maternal nutrient intake during pregnancy alter pancreatic and hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in the offspring, before and after birth. Little is known about these effects. To determine whether maternal nutrient restriction caused by natural infection with Streptococcus equi altered endocrine function in neonatal foals born from mares fed a maintenance or high plane of nutrition throughout pregnancy. Ten primiparous mares received either a diet to maintain moderate body condition score (Moderate, n = 5) or a near ad libitum feeding regime to maintain a high body condition score (High, n = 5) throughout pregnancy. All mares inadvertently became infected with Streptococcus equi in mid gestation and lost approximately 10% body mass. Maternal insulin and glucose concentrations decreased (P < 0.05) during, and one month following, the weight loss period. High mares weighed more (P < 0.05) at parturition than Moderate mares; all foals were healthy. Gestational age, foal bodyweights, placental and clinical parameters after birth were no different between the 2 groups. Foal plasma cortisol and glucose responses to exogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone and insulin, respectively, were similar for both groups. Insulin concentrations during glucose tolerance test were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in foals from Moderate than High mares and compared with foals studied previously from healthy, well-fed mares, suggesting that the beta cell sensitivity to glucose was enhanced in Moderate. Acute nutrient restriction in mid gestation caused by maternal illness and inappetence, superimposed on a maintenance feed intake throughout pregnancy, enhanced insulin secretion to glucose in foals. Nutritional programming of pancreatic beta cells, but not the HPA axis, appeared to depend on the level of nutrition before and after the weight loss period. Disturbances in neonatal pancreatic beta cell function programmed during pregnancy may predispose foals to metabolic problems in later life.

Body composition, dietary carbohydrates and fatty acids determine post-fertilisation development of bovine oocytes in vitro

This study assessed the interactive effects of carbohydrate type (fibre vs starch) and fatty acid (FA) supplementation (0% vs 6% calcium soaps of palm oil FA) on the post-fertilisation development of oocytes recovered from low and moderate body condition score (BCS) heifers. A secondary objective was to compare the FA composition of plasma to that of granulosa cells (GCs) and cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from these animals, and to relate these findings to the developmental potential of oocytes. Plasma, GCs and COCs were recovered from 32 heifers on day 5 of a synchronised oestrous cycle for FA analyses. Oocytes were also recovered on days 10 and 15 of the same cycle after short-term ovarian stimulation (FSH + GnRH), and matured, fertilised and cultured to the blastocyst stage in vitro. High levels of dietary starch increased (P < 0.01) plasma insulin but, together with dietary FA, reduced (P < 0.05) blastocyst yields in low, but not in moderate, BCS heifers. Diet-induced alterations to the FA content of plasma were less apparent in GCs and COCs. In summary, although dietary lipids increased the FA content of COCs, the selective uptake of saturated FAs at the expense of mainly polyunsaturated FAs within the follicular compartment ensured that the FA composition of COCs was largely unaffected by diet. However, the concentration of saturated FAs within COCs was inherently high, and so further increases in FA content may have impaired post-fertilisation development. The data establish a robust nutritional framework for more detailed studies into the mechanistic effects of dietary composition on the post-fertilisation developmental potential of oocytes.

Lipid Metabolite Profiles and Milk Production for Holstein and Jersey Cows Fed Rumen-Protected Choline During the Periparturient Period

Choline is important for assembly of very low density lipoproteins to export triglyceride from liver; however, studies to assess the effect of rumen-protected choline (RPC) supplementation on blood lipid metabolites in periparturient dairy cows have not been conducted. Thirty-two multiparous Holstein and 10 multiparous Jersey cows were randomly assigned to control or RPC treatments. A close-up diet was fed from approximately 3 wk before parturition through parturition, followed by a lactation diet from parturition through 49 d postpartum. For RPC, diets were top-dressed once daily with 60g of a RPC product (25% choline as choline chloride) from 21 d before expected parturition through 21 d postpartum. Treatment did not affect dry matter intake either prepartum (12.0 vs. 12.1 kg/d for RPC and control, respectively) or during the first 3 wk postpartum (14.8 vs. 15.7 kg/d, respectively). Daily yields of 3.5% fat-corrected milk (39.4 vs. 37.4 kg/d), fat (1.46 vs. 1.38 kg/d), and protein (1.09 vs. 1.05 kg/d) did not differ statistically by treatment (RPC vs. control, respectively). Jersey cows in the control group had lower concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate in plasma during d 1 to 10 postpartum than did other breed and treatment combinations. Cows fed RPC tended to have greater serum triglycerides prepartum (17.0 vs. 14.7 mg/dL) and lower plasma phospholipid at parturition (65.2 vs. 78.1 mg/dL) than control cows. Treatment did not affect cholesterol and phospholipid at other time points, but concentrations followed patterns of dry matter intake pre- and postpartum. Cows were in moderate body condition score (mean = 3.3) at the start of the study and did not lose excessive condition by 3 wk postpartum (mean body condition score loss = 0.5); therefore, cows might not have been at great risk for hepatic lipid accumulation. Additionally, calculated Met balance was negative postpartum; supplemental RPC might not have spared enough Met to produce a physiological benefit. More research is needed to determine how choline affects prevention or alleviation of fatty liver syndrome and to confirm potential differences between Holstein and Jersey cows.

Inhibition of ovulation in the postpartum cow and the lactating sow

Increased genetic selection and capacity for milk production in dairy cows has been associated with a decline in fertility. Following parturition, nutritional requirements increase rapidly with milk production and the resulting negative energy balance (NEBAL) extends for 8–10 weeks of early lactation. NEBAL delays the timing of first ovulation through attenuation of LH pulse frequency and low levels of blood glucose, insulin and IGF-I that collectively limit oestrogen production by dominant follicles. NEBAL results in mobilization of adipose tissue and loss of body condition score (BCS), which is strongly associated with the length of the postpartum anovulatory period. Failure of ovulation of the first wave dominant follicle is associated with elevated nonesterified fatty acids and ketones in plasma and greater accumulation of triglycerides in the liver during the first 3 weeks of lactation. NEBAL is related to lower fertility in dairy cows both through inhibition of ovulation in early lactation and effects exerted later during the breeding period. Management strategies to minimize the inhibitory effects of NEBAL on first ovulation should begin during the prepartum transition period and include maintaining moderate BCS and energy intake through parturition. Modern sows have been improved genetically for higher productivity including ovulation rate, litter size and milk production. Peak milk yield is achieved within 10 days after farrowing with consequent massive mobilization of body fat and protein mass. Conservation of body protein mass (< 12% loss) during the first lactation minimizes the weaning to estrus interval by advancing ovarian follicular development toward ovulation. The lysine requirement in early lactation is extraordinary. Plasma insulin and IGF-I concentrations seem unrelated to the observed differences in ovarian follicular development. Overall, NEBAL inhibits ovulation in both high producing cows and sows, but there are species differences in response to protein losses and hormonal interactions.

100 DIET AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF BOVINE PLASMA, GRANULOSA CELLS, AND CUMULUS - OOCYTE COMPLEXES

The effects of altering dietary carbohydrates and lipids to oocyte donors during superovulation and ovum pickup (OPU) on in vitro embryo production was reported previously (Adamiak et al. 2004 Reprod. Dev. Fert. 16, 193–194). Here we report the effects of these dietary treatments on the fatty acid (FA) composition of plasma, granulosa cells (GCs), and cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) from the 32 heifers used in that study. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture. COCs and GCs were harvested from each heifer by OPU as described previously but were pooled between pairs of heifers within treatment to provide adequate material for FA analysis. Both GCs and COCs were washed twice in PBS supplemented with 0.3% (w/v) BSA (FA-free) before being transferred into 2 : 1 (v/v) chloroform : methanol solution for FA extraction. FA composition was determined using gas chromatography as described previously (Reis et al. 2002, Theriogenology 57, 507). Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Total plasma FA content averaged 1.12 μg/mL and was unaffected by body condition score (BCS). Low BCS heifers had more saturated (54.0 ± 1.76 vs. 49.2 ± 1.74%) and monounsaturated (22.4 ± 1.08 vs. 18.2 ± 0.69%) FA, but less polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) (23.7 ± 1.75 vs. 32.8 ± 2.21%) in plasma than moderate BCS heifers (P &lt; 0.01). Animals fed high relative to low fiber diets had greater plasma FA (1.3 ± 0.15 vs. 1.0 ± 0.12 μg/mL) and PUFA (31.2 ± 2.56 vs. 25.3 ± 2.19%), but less monounsaturated FA (18.8 ± 1.04 vs. 21.5 ± 1.09%) (P &lt; 0.01). Dietary protected lipid (Ca soaps of FA) increased plasma FA (1.6 ± 0.07 vs. 0.6 ± 0.04 μg/mL) and PUFA (30.0 ± 1.92 vs. 26.4 ± 3.03%) (P &lt; 0.05), but reduced plasma saturated FA (48.9 ± 1.12 vs. 54.2 ± 2.14%; P &lt; 0.01) in the animals fed high compared to low fiber diets, respectively. In contrast to their effects in plasma, BCS and diet had little effect on FA composition of GCs and COCs. Although low BCS and dietary lipids both increased FA in COCs (78.3 ± 2.01 vs. 69.2 ± 2.80, P &lt; 0.01; and 77.1 ± 2.96 vs. 70.5 ± 2.26 ng/COC; P &lt; 0.05, respectively), neither factor significantly altered the FA composition of COCs. Across treatments, the FA composition of GCs and COCs differed markedly from that of plasma (Table 1), confirming the presence of a selective uptake mechanism in the follicle that can moderate dietary induced fluctuations in FA supply from peripheral circulation. Table 1. Concentrations of fatty acids in plasma, GCs, and COCs expressed as mean percentages (w/w) of total fatty acids This work was supported by Defra and The Perry Foundation.

Age and body condition score and diets of grazing goats

Diet selection by juvenile and adult non-pregnant, non-lactating goats and the diets of adult non-productive goats with low (≤ 1.5; grading scale 0–5) and moderate (≥ 2.5) body condition score (BCS) are described by microhistological analysis of fecal samples for a Chihuahuan desert vegetation in northern Mexico. In the rainy season, adult goats utilized more (P < 0.10) shrubs than juvenile goats (70.4 vs 58.6%), but, in the dry season, the diet of both groups contained equal amounts of shrubs. The proportion of forbs and grasses in the goats' diet also tended to vary (P < 0.10) between age groups in the rainy season. Juvenile goats generally had lower consumption of plants with spines than adult goats. Goats with low BCS selected more (P < 0.10) shrubs than goats with moderate BCS in the rainy season. Forbs were eaten in larger amounts by does with moderate BCS (38% of the diet) during the rainy season compared to goats with low BCS (30.9%). Regardless of age and body reserves, grasses formed less than 5% of goat diets in both seasons. Mean similarity index for juvenile and adult goats was 75, while mean similarity index for goats with low and moderate BCS was 78. For all classes of goats, Larrea tridentata (DC.) Cov., the dominating species in the plant community, was the only plant selected at proportions below those found in ground cover in the rainy season. These data indicate that, during the rainy season, juvenile goats mixed their diets to achieve more even use of forages than adult goats. These results also indicate that high utilization of shrubs, including resinous and fibrous forages, appeared to be an adaptive foraging strategy of goats with low fat reserves, when forage was readily available.

Age and body condition score and diets of grazing goats

Diet selection by juvenile and adult non-pregnant, non-lactating goats and the diets of adult non-productive goats with low (≤ 1.5; grading scale 0-5) and moderate (≥ 2.5) body condition score (BCS) are described by microhistological analysis of fecal samples for a Chihuahuan desert vegetation in northern Mexico. In the rainy season, adult goats utilized more (P &lt; 0.10) shrubs than juvenile goats (70.4 vs 58.6%), but, in the dry season, the diet of both groups contained equal amounts of shrubs. The proportion of forbs and grasses in the goats' diet also tended to vary (P &lt; 0.10) between age groups in the rainy season. Juvenile goats generally had lower consumption of plants with spines than adult goats. Goats with low BCS selected more (P &lt; 0.10) shrubs than goats with moderate BCS in the rainy season. Forbs were eaten in larger amounts by does with moderate BCS (38% of the diet) during the rainy season compared to goats with low BCS (30.9%). Regardless of age and body reserves, grasses formed less than 5% of goat diets in both seasons. Mean similarity index for juvenile and adult goats was 75, while mean similarity index for goats with low and moderate BCS was 78. For all classes of goats, Larrea tridentata (DC.) Cov., the dominating species in the plant community, was the only plant selected at proportions below those found in ground cover in the rainy season. These data indicate that, during the rainy season, juvenile goats mixed their diets to achieve more even use of forages than adult goats. These results also indicate that high utilization of shrubs, including resinous and fibrous forages, appeared to be an adaptive foraging strategy of goats with low fat reserves, when forage was readily available.

Age and body condition score and diets of grazing goats

Abstract Diet selection by juvenile and adult non-pregnant, non-lactating goats and the diets of adult non-productive goats with low (≤ 1.5; grading scale 0–5) and moderate (≥ 2.5) body condition score (BCS) are described by microhistological analysis of fecal samples for a Chihuahuan desert vegetation in northern Mexico. In the rainy season, adult goats utilized more (P < 0.10) shrubs than juvenile goats (70.4 vs 58.6%), but, in the dry season, the diet of both groups contained equal amounts of shrubs. The proportion of forbs and grasses in the goats' diet also tended to vary (P < 0.10) between age groups in the rainy season. Juvenile goats generally had lower consumption of plants with spines than adult goats. Goats with low BCS selected more (P < 0.10) shrubs than goats with moderate BCS in the rainy season. Forbs were eaten in larger amounts by does with moderate BCS (38% of the diet) during the rainy season compared to goats with low BCS (30.9%). Regardless of age and body reserves, grasses formed le...

Ovulation of the first dominant follicle arising after day 21post partumin suckling beef cows

AbstractThe effects of body condition score (BCS) of 2·0 or 3·0 units at calving (low v. moderate), post-partum energy intake at 0·6 or 1·0 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per day per kg M0·75 (low v. high) and unrestricted or restricted (once daily) suckling on the ability of cows to ovulate were studied in a 2 ✕ 2 ✕ 2 factorial design with each treatment replicated eight times. Calf isolation and restricted suckling were imposed shortly after selection of the first dominant follicle (DF) to emerge after day 21 post partum. The episodic release of LH (sampled at 15-min intervals for 10 h) was determined 48 h before and 48 h after the day calf isolation and restricted suckling commenced. Additional blood samples were collected weekly for plasma insulin determination. The mean interval from calving to first ovulation was shorter for cows in moderate than low BCS at calving (47·8 v. 57·1 days, s.e.d. = 4·50, P &lt; 0·05), and for cows suckling once daily than for those with unrestricted suckling (42·9 v. 62·0 days, s.e.d. = 4·50, P &lt; 0·001). Post-partum nutrition did not affect this interval. Mean LH pulse frequency prior to the start of restricted suckling was higher for cows of moderate than low BCS at calving (3·2 v. 1·6 pulses per 10 h, s.e.d. = 0·60, P &lt; 0·05). Subsequently, LH pulse frequency was higher for cows suckling once daily than for those with unrestricted suckling (4·0 v. 2·2 pulses per 10 h, s.e.d. = 0·82, P &lt; 0·05). More cows in moderate than low BCS ovulated the first DF to emerge after day 21 post partum (within 4 to 6 days) in response to restricted suckling (69 v. 25%, P &lt; 0·05). LH pulse frequency prior to restricted suckling increased (P &lt; 0·05) with plasma insulin concentration (categorized as low, &lt; 5; moderate, 5 to 8; and high, &gt;8 mIU per l). There were indications of interactions between suckling treatment and BCS (P &lt; 0·08), and suckling treatment and plasma insulin concentration (P &lt; 0·06), on LH pulse frequency, which suggested that calf restriction could alleviate the suppressive effects of under nutrition on episodic LH release. Amongst cows suckling once daily, the non-ovulating animals had fewer LH pulses prior to restricted suckling and smaller, slower growing DF, indicating an inability of the DF to respond to increased LH pulse frequency following calf restriction. Cows of moderate BCS, particularly those with moderate to high levels of plasma insulin (³ 5 mIU per l), responded favourably to restricted suckling. In contrast, excessively thin cows with low plasma insulin concentrations (&lt;5 mIU per l), that had most to gain from restricted suckling, responded poorly.

Influence of diet and ambient temperature on bovine serum insulin-like growth factor-I and thyroxine: relationships with non-esterified fatty acids, glucose, insulin, luteinizing hormone and progesterone

Multiparous, nonlactating, Hereford cows were fed maintenance (M; n = 11) or restricted (R; n = 11) diets for 41 weeks to evaluate changes in insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and thyroxine during the onset of nutritionally induced anoestrus and during realimentation. Cows had a moderate body condition score (BCS = 5.5 ± 0.1; 1 indicating emaciated and 9 indicating obese) at the start of treatment. Cows on M diets maintained body weight (BW) and BCS, and R cows lost 1% of their initial BW weekly until they were anoestrus. When R cows were anoestrus their diets were increased to allow BW gain and resumption of ovarian activity. Relationships among concentrations of IGF-I, thyroxine, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, insulin, luteinizing hormone (LH), and progesterone in blood samples were determined. Anoestrus occurred when restricted cows had lost 24 ± 0.9% of their BW, had a BCS of 3.5 ± 0.1, and had nadir concentrations of IGF-I and thyroxine. Serum concentrations of IGF-I and thyroxine were reduced (P < 0.01) in R compared with M cows, except during realimentation when R cows had greater concentrations of thyroxine. Concentrations of IGF-I in M cows were positively correlated with concentrations of insulin (r = 0.31), glucose (r = 0.21) and progesterone (r = 0.24). In R cows, concentrations of IGF-I were positively correlated with insulin (r = 0.39), glucose (r = 0.23) and LH (r = 0.37). Mean weekly ambient temperatures were negatively correlated with IGF-I (r = −0.16), glucose (r = −0.37) and thyroxine (r = −0.40) in M cows. Our data indicate that ambient temperature and nutrient intake may both work to regulate concentrations of hormones and reproductive function in cattle.