Tevaluation of transgenic event CBH 351 (StarLink) corn in pig

This study examined the influence of transgenic event CBH (StarLink™; SL)-derived hybrid corn on growth, health and physiological functions of pigs, as well as the possibility of transferring the cry9C gene or Cry9C protein to the blood, liver or muscles, in comparison with pigs fed a diet with non-transgenic (isogenic) corn (non-SL). The diet for the SL group was composed of 70% SL corn, and the diet for the non-SL group was composed of 70% non-SL corn. Forty pigs approximately 3 months in age were used in the current experiment. After the pigs were acclimatized to their environment for 7 days, they were fed piglet diets for 7 weeks, and afterwards fed growing-finishing diets until the end of the experiment. There were no significant differences in bodyweight gain, feed intake or feed conversion ratio between the pigs fed SL diet and those of non-SL diet. No abnormalities were observed in the health conditions of either the SL or the non-SL group. Moreover, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in hematological values, histopathological examination and necropsy findings. Although the serum biochemical values within each group were normal, the blood urea nitrogen values of the SL group showed a tendency to be slightly higher than those of the non-SL group. Also, the blood glucose values of the SL group were significantly lower than those of the non-SL group. However, the cause of the significant differences in the blood glucose values between the two groups is unknown. The PCR and ELISA did not detect the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein in the blood, liver or muscles of the pigs at the end of the experiment.     

Evaluation of transgenic event CBH 351 (StarLink) corn in broiler chicks

The influence of transgenic event CBH 351 (StarLink; SL)-derived hybrid corn on the growth performance, health condition and physiological function in broiler chicks, as well as the possible transfer of the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein to blood, liver and muscle were examined in comparison with chicks fed on a diet with non-transgenic corn (SL-F). Bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio in the chicks fed on a diet with SL were significantly greater than in chicks fed on a diet with SL-F during the starter phase (0–3 weeks of age), but this significant difference disappeared during the finisher phase (4–7 weeks of age). No abnormalities in health condition in either SL or SL-F groups were observed, and livability did not differ significantly between SL and SL-F groups. Moreover, no significant differences in serum biochemical and hematological values, histopathological observation and necropsy findings were observed between SL and SL-F groups at the end of the experiment. The cry9C gene and Cry9C protein were not detected in blood, liver and muscle of chicks at 3, 5 or 7 weeks of age. The results indicate that feeding SL does not influence growth performance, health condition or physiological function in broiler chicks, and the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein are not transferred to the blood, liver and muscles of broilers.     

Effect of dietary fish oil on milk yield, fatty acids content and serum metabolic profile in dairy cows

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of dietary unprotected fish oil on milk yield, fatty acids content and serum metabolic profile in dairy cows. Forty lactating Polish Holstein-Friesian cows were assigned to two groups. The cows were fed a control basal diet (C group), or a basal diet containing 2% addition of fish oil on mineral carrier (FOM group) during a 8-week period. Supplementing FOM diet of dairy cows had no significant effect on milk fat, milk protein, milk lactose concentration and somatic cells count, but increased the milk yield (36.5 kg/d), (p < 0.05) compared with the control cows (34.28 kg/d). We observed an increase (p < 0.05) in body condition scoring between C and FOM groups. Additionally, higher levels of non-esterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate acid were noticed in FOM group after 8 weeks of the experiment; however, these serum parameters still were in the reference range. Concentration of insulin was higher (30.40 μU/ml; p < 0.01) in the FOM group compared with the control group (14.03 μU/ml). In the FOM group, significant increase (p < 0.01) in long-chain fatty acids, mainly cis-9, trans-11 CLA and n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) was observed. The obtained results demonstrated that addition of fish oil to cows' diet could profitably modify the fatty acids in cow's milk.     

Effect of twinning on the feed intake, performance and health of dairy cows

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of bearing twins on the health and performance of dairy cows. Data from twin-bearing Holstein Friesian cows at the Langhill Dairy Research Centre between January 1990 and July 2002 were compared to single-bearing cows to determine if there was any significant difference in milk production, feed intakes, health and fertility. There were 122 twin births (from 104 different cows) in the Langhill herd, a rate of 4.7% during the study period.

The incidence of twinning was higher in high genetic merit cows (select genetic line cows) and increased with parity (r = 0.870, P < 0.01). Compared to a single-bearing cow, a twin pregnancy was associated with a shorter gestation period, an increased chance of a retained placenta after calving and a poorer body condition score post-calving. The post-calving condition score of twin-bearing cows was negatively correlated with the total weight of calves born (r = − 0.235, P < 0.05). Twin-calving cows also had significantly more dystocia, a higher chance of having a dead calf, an increased number of days from calving to their first observed heat and number of days from calving to their first service. Dystocia was positively correlated with the number of dead calves at birth (r = 0.309, P < 0.01) and with the total weight of calves born (r = 0.211, P < 0.05). Twin-bearing cows on a low-concentrate diet had an increased chance of having metritis and/or endometritis compared to single-bearing cows on the same diet. There was no significant difference in the reason for culling or the time at which cows were culled post-calving, however, twin-bearing cows on a low-concentrate diet were 3.2 times more likely to be culled than a single-bearing cow, with cows on a high-concentrate diet having equally high levels of culling. There were no significant differences between twin- and single-producing cows' mean daily feed intakes, daily milk yields, total milk yields and milk fat and protein compositions during early, mid and late lactation pre and postpartum on a low- or high-concentrate diet. The body condition and drying off period of twin pregnant cows should be managed to avoid post-calving health and performance problems.     

花生秧与玉米青贮配比对奶牛生产性能、血液指标及氮素利用的影响

本试验旨在为合理利用花生秧及提高氮素利用率提供理论依据。选择产奶量一致、处于泌乳中期、体重相近、胎次相同的12头中产荷斯坦奶牛,分为3组,每组4个重复。根据3×3拉丁方试验设计,试验分3期进行,每期预饲15d,采样期6d。分别饲喂含有不同花生秧与玉米青贮配比的全混合日粮(TMR),3种TMR中花生秧与玉米青贮的干物质(DM)配比分别为1.0∶3.9(A组)、1.0∶1.2(B组)、1.0∶0.4(C组)。结果表明,1)花生秧与玉米青贮配比对中产荷斯坦奶牛的干物质采食量、生产性能及血液指标没有显著影响(P0.05);2)奶牛的各乳成分组成均没有显著性差异(P0.05),但随着花生秧比例的增加,牛奶体细胞数有降低的趋势,B组较A组的体细胞数下降了35.4%;3)随着日粮中花生秧添加比例的增加,经济效益有所提高;4)日粮B显著降低了粪氮占摄入氮的比例(P0.05)。花生秧与玉米青贮配比在1.0∶1.2时,奶牛氮素利用及经济效益效果最佳。     

Carbon kinetics of milk formation in Holstein cows in late lactation

Carbon transfer to milk in Holstein cows in late lactation was measured by introducing changes in the natural stable carbon isotope composition of the feed. Six Holstein cows in mid-lactation were placed on a diet naturally low in 13C (-25.0% vs Pee Dee belemnite [PDB] an international carbon isotope standard), based on alfalfa-barley, and six others were placed on a diet naturally enriched in 13C (-11.5% vs PDB), based on corn. After a 7-wk equilibration period on these diets, three cows were switched from alfalfa-barley to corn, and three were switched from corn to alfalfa-barley. The three other cows in each group served as controls. 13C/12C ratios were measured in daily morning milk samples during the week before and for 6 wk after the changes in diet. After the diets had been switched, milk isotope ratios rapidly approached the isotopic composition of the new diet, indicating rapid transfer of dietary carbon into milk. The data were consistent with a model whereby milk was synthesized from a single precursor pool that responded rapidly to dietary perturbation. The milk precursor pool had a half-life of approximately .9 d and had a mass of approximately 7 kg of carbon, which was renewed daily by the entry of 5 kg of digestible dietary carbon.     

Influence of repeated ochratoxin A ingestion on milk production and its carry‐over into the milk,blood and tissues of lactating cows

An experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of repeated ingestion of ochratoxin A (OTA) on milk production of lactating Holstein cows over 28 days, and the carry‐over of OTA from the diets into the milk and tissues of the cows. Nine cows were divided into three groups, labeled OTA5, OTA50 and OTA100, and fed a diet containing 5, 50 and 100 µg OTA/kg of dry matter, respectively. Body weight, feed intake and daily milk yield in cows were not different among the three groups during the OTA‐intake period. OTA residues were neither detected in the tissues, such as liver, kidney, muscles, fat and jejunoileum, nor in the milk of any cows in the OTA intake groups. In contrast, a small amount of OTA (0.1 µg/kg) was detected in the blood plasma of one sample in the OTA50 group and multiple samples in the OTA100 group. The results of this study show that the ingestion of diets containing up to 100 µg/kg of OTA over 28 days does not affect feed intake or milk production of cows, and the dietary OTA is not carried over into milk and edible tissues such as the liver, muscles and fat. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

Milk production,nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in lactating cows fed total mixed ration silages containing steam‐flaked brown rice as substitute for steam‐flaked corn,and wet food by‐products

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of substituting brown rice grain for corn grain in total mixed ration (TMR) silage containing food by‐products on the milk production, whole‐tract nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in dairy cows. Six multiparous Holstein cows were used in a crossover design with two dietary treatments: a diet containing 30.9% steam‐flaked corn (corn TMR) or 30.9% steam‐flaked brown rice (rice TMR) with wet soybean curd residue and wet soy sauce cake. Dietary treatment did not affect the dry matter intake, milk yield and compositions in dairy cows. The dry matter and starch digestibility were higher, and the neutral detergent fiber digestibility was lower for rice TMR than for corn TMR. The urinary nitrogen (N) excretion as a proportion of the N intake was lower for rice TMR than for corn TMR with no dietary effect on N secretion in milk and fecal N excretion. These results indicated that the replacement of corn with brown rice in TMR silage relatively reduced urinary N loss without adverse effects on feed intake and milk production, when food by‐products such as soybean curd residue were included in the TMR silage as dietary crude protein sources.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Effects of long‐term feeding of genetically modified corn (event MON810) on the performance of lactating dairy cows

A long‐term study over 25 months was conducted to evaluate the effects of genetically modified corn on performance of lactating dairy cows. Thirty‐six dairy cows were assigned to two feeding groups and fed with diets based on whole‐crop silage, kernels and whole‐crop cobs from Bt‐corn (Bt‐MON810) or its isogenic not genetically modified counterpart (CON) as main components. The study included two consecutive lactations. There were no differences in the chemical composition and estimated net energy content of Bt‐MON810 and CON corn components and diets. CON feed samples were negative for the presence of Cry1Ab protein, while in Bt‐MON810 feed samples the Cry1Ab protein was detected. Cows fed Bt‐MON810 corn had a daily Cry1Ab protein intake of 6.0 mg in the first lactation and 6.1 mg in the second lactation of the trial. Dry matter intake (DMI) was 18.8 and 20.7 kg/cow per day in the first and the second lactation of the trial, with no treatment differences. Similarly, milk yield (23.8 and 29.0 kg/cow per day in the first and the second lactation of the trial) was not affected by dietary treatment. There were no consistent effects of feeding MON810 or its isogenic CON on milk composition or body condition. Thus, the present long‐term study demonstrated the compositional and nutritional equivalence of Bt‐MON810 and its isogenic CON.     

Nutritional strategies to combat physiological imbalance of dairy cows during early lactation: The effect of changes in dietary protein to starch ratios

Abstract

Thirty Danish Holstein cows were used to determine how cows in early lactation adapt to changes in protein to starch supply in order to manipulate metabolism to combat physiological imbalance. During weeks 4 through 6 of lactation, 10 cows were fed either a high protein to starch ratio (high) diet, 10 cows were fed a low protein to starch ratio (low) diet while 10 others continued on the control diet. During weeks 7 through 9 of lactation, all cows returned to the control diet. The diets were formulated to consist of 15.0%, 18.6% and 22.2% crude protein and 13.3%, 7.5% and 1.7% of starch for the low, control and high diets, respectively. Besides milk urea nitrogen, no other production or metabolic parameters were affected by treatment. In conclusion, manipulation of dietary protein to starch is not a potential strategy to combat physiological imbalance during early lactation.     

Effect of propylene glycol and undegradable protein source on rumen fermentation, blood metabolism and milk production in lactating dairy cows

Eight lactating Holstein cows were divided into two groups ( n  = 4) and used in a double reversal trial with three periods of 14 days each, to evaluate diets containing propylene glycol (PG) and ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) blend on milk yield and composition, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolism. The control diet contained 20% chopped Sudangrass hay, 20% cubed alfalfa hay, 12% corn silage, and 48% of the respective concentrate mixtures (dry matter basis). The experimental diet (PG + RUP) partially replaced the concentrate mixture from the control diet with 1.4% PG and 2.1% RUP. Both diets contained about 16% crude protein and 71% total digestible nutrients. Dry matter intake was similar between the two diets. Daily production of milk, milk lactose and milk solids-not-fat increased by 9.0%, 11.3% and 9.3%, respectively ( P  < 0.1), for cows fed diets with PG + RUP; milk composition was unchanged. Although the concentration of ruminal total volatile fatty acids was unchanged, the proportion of propionic acid increased, and the proportion of acetic acid decreased with PG + RUP. The concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen and number of ciliate protozoa was not significantly affected by PG + RUP. The concentration of glucose in blood plasma increased, the concentration of urea nitrogen was unaffected, and the concentration of some essential free amino acids decreased with PG + RUP. It is suggested that these changes might be caused predominantly by PG, and the addition of PG may exert a favorable effect on milk production through increased metabolism.     

Colostrum and milk performance,and blood immunity indices and minerals of Holstein cows receiving organic Mn,Zn and Cu sources

Effects of supplementing the basal diets with Mn, Zn and Cu, as sulphate, glycine or methionine salts, on colostrum and milk performance, some blood immunity indices and blood minerals of pre- and post-partum Holstein cows were accessed. Forty cows in different groups received: 1) a diet without supplementary Mn, Zn and Cu (control), 2) a diet containing Mn, Zn and Cu sulphates, 3) a diet containing Mn, Zn and Cu glycine, or 4) a diet containing Mn, Zn and Cu methionine with 10 cows per group from d 60 before calving (dry period) to d 100 of lactation. Dry matter intake (DMI), dry matter digestibility (DMD), colostrum and milk performance, milk somatic cell count (SCC), blood and milk total antioxidant capacity (TAC), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin A (IgA), and blood Mn, Zn and Cu were determined. Dietary supplementation with Mn, Zn and Cu as methionine, glycine or sulphate salts had positive effects on DMD, DMI, colostrum and milk performance, milk SCC, and blood Mn and Zn. Addition of Mn, Zn and Cu in diets could increase (P < 0.05) blood and milk TAC and blood IgA and IgM in the cows and their new-born calves. There were no differences in DMI, DMD, colostrum and milk yields, milk SCC, blood Mn (except d 50 postpartum), Zn and Cu and TAC (except d 50 postpartum) among the organic and inorganic minerals-supplemented groups (P > 0.05), however, the blood concentrations of IgA (except d 1 postpartum) and IgM in the cows supplemented with organic Mn, Zn and Cu were higher (P < 0.05) than those in the cows receiving the sulphate sources of minerals. Overall, dietary supplementation of Mn, Zn and Cu as methionine, glycine or sulphate salts can improve colostrum and milk performance, blood Zn and Mn and immunity indices in Holstein cows and their new-born calves. Moreover, the organic sources of Mn, Zn and Cu have advantage over the sulphate forms in terms of the blood immunoglobulins.     

Effects of long-term feeding of a diet supplemented with clinoptilolite to dairy cows on the incidence of ketosis, milk yield and liver function

Fifty-two clinically healthy Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of three groups according to their age and parity. The first group (A) consisted of 17 cows that were fed a concentrate ration supplemented with 1.25 per cent clinoptilolite, the second group (B) consisted of 17 cows fed a ration supplemented with 2.5 per cent clinoptilolite, and the third group (C) consisted of 18 cows, which were fed the basal ration containing no clinoptilolite. The rations were fed from four weeks before the cows' expected parturition dates until the beginning of the next dry period. Blood samples were collected from each animal at the start of the experiment, on the day of calving and then monthly, and analysed for serum glucose, ketone bodies, liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and total proteins. The milk yield of each cow was recorded monthly. The cows in group B had significantly fewer cases of clinical ketosis during the first month after calving and a higher total milk yield. Feeding the cows with clinoptilolite for a long period had no apparent adverse effects on their liver function, and did not significantly affect the concentrations of glucose, ketone bodies, BUN and total proteins in their serum.     

Rumen fermentation,milk production and conjugated linoleic acid in the milk of cows fed high fiber diets added with dried distillers grains with solubles

The effects of corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) feeding on rumen fermentation and milk production in cows were evaluated using diets high in neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 45.9–46.6%). The control diet (Control) consisted mainly of hay, corn silage and concentrates. In the experimental diets, the concentrates were replaced with DDGS as 10% dry matter (DM) (10%DDGS) and 20% DM (20%DDGS). Eight cows were used for each 14‐day treatment period. Effect of DDGS feeding on DM intake was not significant. Ruminal volatile fatty acids and ammonia‐N at 5 h after feeding of 20%DDGS were decreased compared to Control, whereas protozoal count at 2 h after feeding of 20%DDGS was higher than that of 10%DDGS. Milk yield of cows fed DDGS diets was greater than that of Control, although percentages of milk protein and solids‐not‐fat were decreased by DDGS diets. The proportions of C10:0, C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0 in the milk fat decreased, and those of C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 and cis‐9, trans‐11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) increased markedly with elevated DDGS. Increase in trans‐11 C18:1 was observed in the rumen fluid at 5 h after feeding. These findings suggest that DDGS feeding enhanced milk yield, as well as CLA synthesis under a high dietary NDF condition.     

饲喂高亚油酸玉米对奶牛瘤胃发酵、产乳量和乳成分的影响

选用6头经产荷斯坦种乳牛分为对照和HLAC两组,以二乘反转法,研究了高亚油酸玉来(HLAC)对奶牛瘤胃发酵、产乳量和乳成分的影响。HLAC组用HLAC部分替换了对照组饲料中的普通玉米,两组日粮组成和营养成分基本相同。结果表明,HLAC的替换对瘤胃液氨氮浓度、挥发性脂肪酸浓度及其组成无显著影响(P>0.1),但纤毛虫总数显著增加(P>0.05)。两组牛干物采食量和乳量无显著差异,但HLAC组乳脂率有下降趋势(P>0.1)、乳脂肪中C18:2比例小幅提高、C18:1比例显著提高(P<0.05)、乳蛋白质率及其产量小幅增加、乳糖率和无脂固形物率及其产量显著提高(P<0.05)。以上结果显示:奶牛饲料中HLAC的使用可改善乳成分,并对瘤胃发酵产生一定影响。     

Effects of feeding yeast and propionibacteria to dairy cows on milk yield and components, and reproduction*

To determine the effect of supplemental feeding of Diamond V-XP yeast (XPY) alone or in combination with propionibacteria strain P169 on milk production, milk components, body weight, days to first and second ovulation, plasma insulin, and plasma and milk glucose, 31 primiparous and multiparous (MP) Holstein cows were fed one of three dietary treatments between 2 weeks prepartum to 30 weeks postpartum: (i) control (n = 10), fed a corn silage-based total mixed ration (TMR); (ii) XPY (n = 11), fed control TMR plus XPY (at 56 g/head/day); and (iii) P169+XPY (n = 10), received control TMR plus XPY plus P169 (at 6 x 10(11) cfu/head/day). After parturition, daily milk weights were recorded, and milk samples were collected twice weekly for milk component analyses. Daily uncorrected milk, solids-corrected milk, and 4% fat-corrected milk production for MP cows fed P169+XPY was 9-16% greater than control MP cows, but these increases were only evident during mid lactation (9-30 weeks). The percentage of milk fat was 8-18% greater in control than XPY and P169+XPY groups. Milk lactose percentage in MP cows fed P169+XPY was 3-5% greater than in control and XPY MP cows. Primiparous and MP cows fed P169+XPY had 28-32% greater milk glucose levels than control and XPY-fed cows. Diurnal plasma glucose concentration was not affected by diet in MP cows. Plasma insulin levels in MP cows fed P169+XPY were 30-34% greater than in other groups of MP cows. Milk glucose and plasma insulin responses to P169+XPY feeding suggest that P169+XPY might have enhanced gluconeogenesis and increased glucose uptake by the mammary gland in Holstein cows. Thus, a combined feed supplement of P169 and XPY may hold potential as a natural feed alternative to hormones and antibiotics to enhance lactational performance.     

玉米秸秆饲粮条件下阴外动脉灌注氨基酸混合物对奶牛乳腺内短链脂肪酸摄取规律的影响

本试验采用动静脉血插管技术,以泌乳中期荷斯坦奶牛为研究对象,研究玉米秸秆饲粮条件下阴外动脉灌注氨基酸(AA)混合物对奶牛产奶性能、尾动脉血和乳静脉血中短链脂肪酸(SCFA)浓度及其比例以及乳腺内SCFA摄取规律的影响。采用2×2交叉试验设计,将体况良好、体重相近、日乳产量为(20.17±1.28)kg的8头经产(2~3胎)荷斯坦奶牛随机分为采食不同饲粮的2组[苜蓿组(MF组)和玉米秸秆组(CS组)],每组4头。2组奶牛饲喂的饲粮精粗比均为45∶55,精饲料组成相同,粗饲料组成不同,MF组粗饲料由苜蓿干草、玉米青贮和羊草组成,CS组以单一的玉米秸秆全部替代MF组饲粮中的粗饲料。试验分为2个阶段,每个阶段20 d,均分为饲粮适应期(预试期)14 d,载体灌注期3 d,正式灌注期3 d。在第1阶段,在载体灌注期,MF组奶牛接受载体灌注(阳性对照组1),CS组奶牛也接受载体灌注(对照组);在正式灌注期,MF组奶牛继续接受载体灌注(阳性对照组2),CS组奶牛接受AA混合物灌注;在第2阶段,将2组动物互换后处理方法同第1阶段。每个正式灌注期的最后2 d采集乳样和血样。结果显示:CS组奶牛阴外动脉灌注AA混合物可显著提高乳蛋白率(P0.05),对乳产量、4%乳脂校正乳(FCM)产量、乳脂率、乳脂产量、乳蛋白产量有一定促进效果,但部分指标仍然显著低于MF组(P0.05)。CS组奶牛阴外动脉灌注AA混合物可趋于显著地提高乳静脉血中乙酸的浓度(P=0.09),显著降低乳腺内乙酸的动静脉差(P0.05),缩小CS组与MF组奶牛在乳腺对乙酸的摄取量和摄取效率方面存在的差距。CS组奶牛阴外动脉灌注AA混合物对提高尾动脉血中乙酸/丙酸、(乙酸+丁酸)/丙酸有一定的促进效果(P0.05)。由此得出,以玉米秸秆为粗饲料的奶牛阴外动脉灌注AA混合物可显著提高乳蛋白率,增加乳静脉血中的乙酸浓度,同时缩小与以苜蓿干草、玉米青贮和羊草为粗饲料的奶牛在乳腺对乙酸的摄取量和摄取效率方面存在的差距。     

发芽玉米对荷斯坦奶牛瘤胃发酵、产奶性能及乳品质的影响

试验旨在研究发芽玉米对荷斯坦奶牛瘤胃发酵、血液成分、产奶性能及乳品质的影响。选取胎次、分娩日龄、产奶量相近的荷斯坦泌乳奶牛15头,试验分为3组,每组5头。对照组饲喂基础日粮(TMR和苜蓿干草),T1、T2组分别在基础日粮中添加20%发芽玉米和20%发酵发芽玉米。结果表明,添加发芽玉米及发酵发芽玉米均能降低瘤胃pH的变化幅度,提高挥发性脂肪酸和氨态氮浓度,但差异均不显著(P＞0.05);与对照组相比,T1、T2组4%乳脂校正乳极显著提高(P＜0.01),并可显著提高T2组的饲料效率(P＜0.05),显著降低乳中体细胞数(P＜0.05);T1、T2组具有降低乳中胆固醇含量的趋势,并对血液成分无显著影响。因此,饲料中添加发芽玉米可改善瘤胃内环境,显著提高产奶量与饲料效率,显著降低乳中体细胞数,且乳中胆固醇含量有降低的趋势。     

Effect of energy density in the diet and milking frequency on hepatic long chain fatty acid oxidation in early lactating dairy cows

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of diet energy density (high versus low) and increased milk yield, induced by increased milking frequency (two versus three times daily), on the hepatic status of triacylglycerol (TAG) and glycogen content and hepatic long chain fatty acid (LCFA) oxidation capacity in early lactation in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Forty multiparous Danish-Holstein dairy cows were used from 8 weeks before to 8 weeks after calving. Liver biopsies and blood samples were taken in weeks -2, 2, and 7 from calving. The cows fed the high energy density diet, compared with the cows fed the low energy density diet, had an 18 and 28% higher milk production and net energy intake, respectively. Milk yield was increased by 10% when the cows were milked three times compared with twice daily. Complete (CO2 production) and incomplete (ketone body production) LCFA oxidation capacity in the liver were 35 and 32% higher, respectively, and liver TAG content was 48% lower for the cows fed the high energy density diet compared with the low energy density diet. Overall there was no effect of milking frequency on liver parameters. However, a significant interaction between diet and milking frequency showed that the cows milked three times daily and fed the low energy density diet had the lowest liver LCFA oxidation (CO2 and ketone body) capacity. Furthermore, these cows had the numerically highest liver TAG content. The results for liver LCFA metabolism are discussed in relation to the plasma concentration of metabolites and insulin. In conclusion, cows in early lactation given a high energy density diet will, in general, have a lower risk of high TAG infiltration in the liver.