Diurnal variation and the effect of feed restriction on plasma and milk metabolites in TMR-fed dairy cows

The objective was to study the diurnal variation in metabolites in plasma and milk of dairy cows fed total mixed rations (TMR) with a low-energy (LE) or high-energy content (HE) expected to give a minor and a major diurnal variation, respectively. Further, the purpose was to quantify and compare the responses in plasma and milk parameters when cows changed from ad libitum to restrictive feeding. Eight multiparous, early-lactating Danish Holstein cows were used in a cross-over design with two consecutive 14-day periods. Blood and milk samples were collected hourly on day 11 of each period and on days 12-14 of each period, the cows were fed restrictively (65% of ad libitum dry-matter intake). The concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in plasma was significantly higher in the evening for cows fed the HE TMR, than for cows fed the LE TMR. There was a significant diurnal variation in BHB in milk, with the highest concentrations between milkings and the lowest concentrations at milking. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in plasma showed significant diurnal variation that was caused by high concentrations in the morning. Plasma glucose did not show any diurnal variation. It has been argued that feeding a TMR removes diurnal changes related to feeding, which is contrary to earlier diurnal studies where concentrates have been fed twice daily. Feed restriction increased (P < 0.001) NEFA and BHB in plasma by 121 and 90%, respectively, while the glucose concentration decreased (P < 0.001) by 19%. Milk concentrations of BHB, citrate and fat increased (P < 0.001) by 163, 11 and 26%, respectively, because of feed restriction, while there were no changes in milk protein and lactose. The relatively high increase in BHB during feed restriction suggests that BHB is more advantageous as a milk indicator of metabolic status in dairy cows than citrate and fat.     

Preanalytical factors affecting blood inorganic phosphate concentration in dairy cows

BACKGROUND: Hypophosphatemia is a condition that affects feed intake and milk production in dairy cows, and, to assess it, a precise biological parameter is needed. Plasma inorganic phosphate (Pi) can be used as a potential indicator of bioavailability of feed phosphorus in dairy cows. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sample type (serum vs. plasma), blood sampling site (jugular vs. coccygeal), and morning feeding on blood Pi concentration in dairy cows. METHODS: Blood samples from 28 clinically healthy multiparous Holstein cows were analyzed for Pi concentration. The animals were sampled twice by coccygeal vessel into Vacutainer tubes both with and without sodium heparin, 3 hours after the morning feeding. In 4 additional cows, the concentration of Pi was measured in blood samples obtained simultaneously by jugular and coccygeal venipuncture into heparinized tubes before the morning feeding and 2, 4, and 6 hours after the feeding. The results were analyzed using parametric statistical tests. RESULTS: Serum and plasma concentrations of Pi were correlated (r(2) = 0.999, P < .0001), but serum Pi concentration was higher than plasma Pi (P < .02). Plasma Pi concentration 2 hours after feeding tended to be higher than that before feeding in jugular samples, but the difference was not significant. There was no significant variation in plasma Pi during the morning postfeeding times, although jugular concentrations were 19% lower than coccygeal (P = .04). CONCLUSION: To increase the precision of plasma Pi measurements as an indicator of bioavailability of feed phosphorus, sample type, sampling time, and site must be taken into account, to correctly interpret plasma Pi concentrations.     

大蒜油和肉桂酸复合物对奶牛生产性能及营养物质消化的影响

本研究旨在考察大蒜油和肉桂醛复合物(GAR-CIN)对奶牛生产性能、乳品质、营养物质消化及血液生化指标的影响。荷斯坦泌乳奶牛50头随机分成2组,每组25头,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮的基础上添加30 g/d.头的GAR-CIN,饲养试验时间75 d。结果表明:GAR-CIN能显著提高泌乳日龄为90～120 d的奶牛的平均产奶量(P<0.05),显著降低体细胞数(P<0.05)。两步法离体消化试验的结果显示,GAR-CIN能显著提高奶牛干物质体外消化率(P<0.05);内源指示剂法的结果显示,GAR-CIN能极显著提高日粮的干物质、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维的消化率(P<0.01);此外,添加GAR-CIN使奶牛血清尿素氮和葡萄糖的含量显著降低(P<0.05),血清中IgM含量显著提高(P<0.05)。说明,GAR-CIN能显著提高泌乳日龄为90～120 d奶牛的产奶量,改善乳品质,增强奶牛的免疫功能,促进奶牛对营养物质的消化。     

Diurnal and individual variations in bile acids in the plasma of normal dairy cows

Blood samples were collected every 2 h during a 24 h period from 6 cows of one herd and 10 cows of another herd. In a third herd 9 cows were sampled every 2 h from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Concentrations of total bile acids, acetoacetate, glucose and free fatty acids were determined in blood plasma. A marked difference in individual bile acid concentrations and patterns of diurnal variation was found. For most cows the highest bile acid values were observed between 2 and 6 a.m. (overall mean (+/- SD) at 6 a.m.: 104 +/- 84 mumol/l, range: 20-307 mumol/l). Fourteen cows with a bile acid value greater than 90 mumol/l at 6 a.m. ("high BA") were characterized as a group by showing a pronounced decrease in the mean bile acid concentration after morning feeding. In the group of 11 cows with a 6 a.m. bile acid value less than 90 mumol/l ("low BA") the time of day did not contribute significantly to the bile acid variation. For the "high BA" group a nearly synchronous variation between the mean values of the 3 feeding dependent parameters (acetoacetate, glucose and free fatty acids) and the mean values of bile acids was found. The within animal coefficients of correlation between bile acids and the feeding dependent parameters were significantly higher in the "high BA" group than in the "low BA" group. No direct connection was found between bile acid levels and the quantity of concentrates fed or the individual milk yield.     

裹包TMR饲喂对泌乳中期奶牛生产性能、养分表观消化率及血液生化指标的影响

为了研究裹包全混合日粮(TMR)饲喂方式对泌乳奶牛生产性能、养分表观消化率和血液指标的影响,本试验选择24头泌乳天数为(124±20)d的荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为2个处理组,进行为期10周的饲养试验。对照组采用传统的精粗分开饲喂方式,试验组采用裹包TMR饲喂方式,精粗分开饲喂组和裹包TMR饲喂组的日粮配方组成和比例均相同,日粮精料比例为50∶50,裹包TMR水分含量调整为50%。结果表明,1)饲喂裹包TMR,可以显著增加干物质采食量(P<0.05),提高产奶量7.69%并提高3.5%标准乳产量5.20%(P>0.05);2)裹包TMR饲喂方式与精粗分开饲喂方式对乳成分含量和产量的影响差异不显著;3)裹包TMR饲喂可以显著提高粗蛋白和粗脂肪的表观消化率(P<0.05),干物质消化率有提高的趋势(P<0.1);4)裹包TMR饲喂显著降低了血清中尿素氮的含量(P<0.05),但对其他血液指标影响2组间差异不显著。裹包TMR技术可以作为一种有效的全混合日粮供给方式,可在我国中小规模奶牛养殖场和个体养殖户中推荐使用,以期提高奶牛生产性能和综合收益。     

Research note: effect of duration of the collection period on the estimated digestibility in dairy cows.

A digestion trial was performed with 14 lactating Friesian dairy cows to compare the estimated digestibility of crude nutrients after collecting the faeces for 5, 7 and 9 d. The experimental ration consisted of grass silage (7.3 kg DM) and concentrate (10.9 kg DM). Animals were adapted to the ration for 14 d. There was no effect of the duration of the collection period on the estimated mean digestibility of crude nutrients and on the respective standard deviation. In consequence, in digestibility trials with cows the collection period must not exceed 5 d.     

Herbage intake and ruminal digestion of dairy cows grazed on perennial ryegrass pasture either in the morning or evening

This study aimed to clarify diurnal fluctuations of herbage intake, ruminal fermentation of herbage carbohydrates and proteins, and digesta particulate weight in the rumen of grazing dairy cows. Six ruminally cannulated, non‐lactating dairy cows were grazed on perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture either in the morning (04.00 to 08.00 hours) or the evening (16.00 to 20.00 hours). Cows grazed in the evening spent more time (P < 0.01) and consumed more herbage (P < 0.01) compared with cows grazed in the morning. Higher (P < 0.05) daily mean concentrations of total volatile fatty acid, propionate and n‐butyrate in rumen fluid were observed for cows grazed in the evening compared with cows grazed in the morning. Although cows grazed in the evening ingested more crude protein compared with cows grazed in the morning, no significant difference in NH₃‐N concentration in rumen fluid was observed between them. The ratio of purine‐derivative concentration to creatinine concentrations was higher (P < 0.01) in the urine of cows grazed in the evening than in cows grazed in the morning. These results clearly indicated that evening grazing was advantageous for dairy cows compared with morning grazing, in terms of ruminal fermentable energy intake and nitrogen utilization efficiency.     

Absence of Feeding-Induced Variations in Plasma Insulin in Hypoglycaemic-Ketonaemic Cows

The effects of food intake on plasma insulin levels were studied in 38 cows with plasma sugar ranging from 41 to 86 mg/100 ml and acetoacetate (Acac) ranging from 0.2 to 18 mg/100 ml, measured before morning feeding. The animals were fed concentrates, silage and hay. Blood samples were taken immediately before feeding in the morning and at intervals of % to 1 hr. during the following 4 hrs.In animals with low blood Acac, plasma insulin concentrations began to increase as early as 1/2 hr. after the start of feeding and reached maxima after 2 hrs. Simultaneously Acac increased and sugar decreased markedly. Animals with Acac levels > 1 mg/100 ml had low pre-feeding insulin concentrations, and the level of the hormone did not increase after feeding. They did not show systematic changes in Acac. But plasma sugar tended to decrease when food was given, even in the absence of insulin increments in peripheral blood.Glucose was infused at a low rate (0.9 g/min.) for 18 hrs. into a hypoglycaemic, ketonaemic cow. As her glucose and ketone levels became normalized, she also responded to feeding with insulin increments. But throughout the experiment her plasma insulin remained considerably lower than in an identically treated control animal which had low Acac levels before the infusion. It appears that the endocrine adjustments during ketonaemia in cows include, beside low basal (pre-feeding) insulin levels, an inhibition of the normally occurring elevation of plasma insulin after feeding.     

泌乳盛期和泌乳后期奶牛的采食行为和日粮营养物质表观消化率的对比分析

试验旨在研究不同泌乳阶段奶牛饲喂相同日粮对采食行为和日粮营养物质表观消化率的影响。选择体重、胎次相近的8头健康泌乳牛,其中4头处于泌乳盛期(泌乳盛期组),4头处于泌乳后期(泌乳后期组),2组奶牛饲喂相同日粮,预试期15 d,正试期15 d。结果表明:泌乳盛期组奶牛每天干物质采食量(24.0 kg)高于泌乳后期组(P<0.01),泌乳盛期组奶牛每千克干物质的采食时间、一昼夜总反刍时间、躺卧时间均低于泌乳后期组(P<0.01),;泌乳盛期组奶牛日粮中中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维的表观消化率低于泌乳后期组(P<0.01)。由此可见,泌乳盛期奶牛采食时间极显著高于泌乳后期奶牛,泌乳盛期奶牛躺卧时间极显著少于泌乳后期。     

亚急性瘤胃酸中毒耐受性不同的奶牛血浆和乳中脂肪酸及代谢物组成分析

为比较研究对亚急性瘤胃酸中毒（SARA）耐受性不同的奶牛血浆和乳中代谢组的差异，试验选用12头装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的泌乳中期荷斯坦奶牛［泌乳天数=（114±22） d］，饲喂精粗比为4∶6的全混合日粮。在试验期第20和21天晨饲后0、2、4、6、8和12 h监测瘤胃pH值，在早晚饲喂前收集奶样，晨饲6 h后采集颈静脉血，用于测定脂肪酸及代谢物组成。基于奶牛瘤胃平均pH值高低，将奶牛分为SARA易感组（SUS，瘤胃pH=5.76，n=4）和SARA耐受组（TOL，瘤胃pH=6.10，n=4）。脂肪酸测定结果分析显示，与TOL组相比，SUS组奶牛血液及乳中的碳链长度≤C16的脂肪酸含量显著增高（P<0.05），而>C16的脂肪酸的含量显著降低（P<0.05），乳中饱和脂肪酸及单不饱和脂肪酸含量均显著降低（P<0.05）。血浆代谢组结果显示， SUS组奶牛血浆中L-苯丙酮酸水平显著降低（P<0.05），而MG（18：0/0：0/0：0）、9-HODE、12（13） Ep-9-KODE、烟酰胺、异戊基肉碱、磷酸肌酸和L-谷氨酸水平显著升高（P<0.05）。乳代谢组分析结果显示，与TOL组比较，SUS组奶牛乳中的1-硬脂酰磷酸甘油丝氨酸和鞘氨醇水平显著升高（P<0.05），而甘油磷酰基乙醇胺、3-磷酸甘油和乳清酸等其他14个差异代谢物水平显著降低（P<0.05），这些差异代谢物主要涉及甘油磷脂代谢、甘油脂代谢及泛酸与辅酶A代谢等代谢途径。综上所述，SARA耐受性不同的奶牛的血浆和乳中脂肪酸及代谢物组成存在较大差异，SUS组奶牛血浆中氨基酸代谢活动增加，乳腺的乳脂从头合成能力较强，而从血液中摄取长链脂肪酸能力减弱，与此同时，易感奶牛乳中磷脂、乳清酸等营养物质水平下降，乳品质下降。     

The measuring frequency necessary for food intake and milk yield data in feeding studies in dairy cows]

An individual feeding experiment was carried out which comprised the daily milk analysis from Monday to Friday with proportional samples from the evening and morning milkings and the daily intake of the individual feed components being ascertained. For various measuring frequencies the following calculations were made: the mean values and their standard deviations, the absolute and relative control errors and their standard deviations, the standard deviations for the measuring error and the simple linear correlations and regressions between the various measuring frequencies for the individual parameters. From the results one can conclude that, in individual feeding experiments with dairy cows, five milk analyses per week do not bring about an essential improvement of accuracy in comparison with two analyses. If the composition of the ration remains the same and the same roughage is offered ad libitum, one can project the measuring of feed intake on five days per week for that of the whole week.     

Effect of increased concentrate allotment before evening grazing on herbage intake,nitrogen utilization and rumen fermentation in dairy cows grazed on perennial ryegrass pasture

Two experiments were conducted to elucidate the effect of increased concentrate allotment before evening grazing on herbage intake, nitrogen utilization and rumen fermentation in dairy cows. In experiment 1, nine lactating cows were grazed in the morning and evening sessions (2.5 h each). The cows were allocated to treatments of three concentrate allotment levels before the evening grazing session by altering proportions to daily total offered; 25%, 50% and 75%. Daily herbage dry matter intake quadratically decreased with increasing the concentrate allotment levels (P < 0.05). Nitrogen utilization was similar among treatments. To investigate diurnal changes in rumen fermentation, a second experiment was conducted where six ruminally cannulated non‐lactating dairy cows grazed in the morning and evening sessions (3 h each) were subjected to the same treatments as experiment 1. Total volatile fatty acid concentration in the rumen linearly increased with increasing the concentrate allotment levels throughout the pre‐evening grazing session to the post‐morning grazing session (P < 0.01). The results indicate that dairy cows reduce daily herbage intake but do not alter nitrogen utilization with increasing concentrate allotment before evening grazing. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

Effects of times of collection and different storage methods on the microflora and nitrogen content of poultry waste

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of times of collection and storage methods on the kinds and numbers of microflora and nitrogen content of poultry excreta (waste). Fresh waste collected in the morning had a higher mean count of viable bacteria than the evening collection in both strains of hen studied. Fresh waste samples had higher mean counts than dried ones. Escherichia coli and Proteus spp. were the predominant microflora identified in waste collected at both times from both strains. Collection time had no effect on the type of micro-organisms isolated. Bacillus spp. was least frequently isolated in fresh waste but most often in dried waste. Samples of waste collected in the morning from Babcock layers contained more nitrogen than those collected in the evening. Samples collected in the morning from Warren layers and stored under aerobic conditions had the highest nitrogen content. However, there were no significant differences in the nitrogen content of waste from Babcock layers attributable to storage method.     

不同处理全棉籽对泌乳牛养分消化率和生产性能的影响

本试验采用交叉设计,选择年龄、胎次、泌乳量、泌乳日龄都较接近的12头荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为6组,每组2头,进行为期45天的饲养试验,研究不同处理的全棉籽替代等量精料对泌乳牛养分消化率和生产性能的影响.结果表明:用2kg不同处理的全棉籽(脱绒、带绒、带绒压扁)等量替代精料后,三个不同处理全棉籽对泌乳牛养分消化率和生产性能的影响差异均不显著(P＞0.05).从CF和NDF的消化率来看,压扁带绒棉籽组有降低CF和NDF消化率的趋势.     

Changes in plasma ghrelin and growth hormone concentrations in mature Holstein cows and three-month-old calves

We measured changes in plasma ghrelin and GH concentrations in mature Holstein cows and 3-mo-old female Holstein calves fed at scheduled times. Our objective was to determine the characteristics of ghrelin secretion in dairy cattle and its influence on GH. Animals were fed at 0800 and 1600 for 2 wk before and during experiments. Plasma was sampled for 24 h at 2-h intervals in Exp. 1. In mature cows, plasma ghrelin concentrations decreased (P < 0.01) just after 0800 but not at the 1600 feeding. Ghrelin concentrations were lower (P < 0.01) in calves than in mature cows and they did not decrease after feeding in calves. The temporal relationship between ghrelin and GH remained unclear. In Exp. 2, plasma was sampled 2 h before and after both morning and evening feedings at 20-min intervals. Plasma ghrelin concentrations decreased (P < 0.05) 40 min after 0800 feeding and 60 min after 1600 feeding in mature cows. These results indicate that in mature cows, plasma ghrelin concentration decreased after feeding, but this decrease was not evident in 3-mo-old calves. Further studies are required to define the relationship between plasma ghrelin and GH concentrations.     

Effect of the starch sources barley, corn, potatoes and their ration fractions on the nutrient digestibility and energy utilization in ruminants. 1. Comparative studies of nutrient digestibility in cattle and sheep]

Rations with energy parts of 50, 25 and 10% from barley, maize and potatoes were investigated comparatively by means of total metabolism experiments with oxen with a view to arriving at a more precise estimation equation of net energy fat for cattle. Parallel to the investigations with oxen the energy and nutrients digestibility of the rations in wethers was measured. The crude fibre content of the rations ranged from 166 to 271 g and the starch content from 69 to 330 g/kg DM. The daily starch intake of the oxen ranged from 575 to 2739 g on nutrition level (NL) 1.7 and from 365 to 1804 g on NL 1.1. The energy digestibility of the rations in oxen with energy parts of 50% barley, maize and potatoes was on average 73.5, 73.9 and 75.3%, of the rations with energy parts of 25% on average 72.2, 71.6 and 72.4% and of the rations with energy parts of 10% on average 68.8, 69.5 and 69.8%. The digestibility of energy and nutrients in cattle and sheep was in good agreement excepted crude protein and crude fat; these were digested 4-5%-units lower from cattle than from sheep. The increase of the nutrition level by one unit lowered the digestibility of rations with energy parts of 50 and 25% from concentrates in cattle about 3-6 units and of rations with energy parts of 10% from concentrates about one %-unit. Information about rumen physiological data is given comparatively between cattle and sheep.     

Simultaneous estimation of the pH of rumen and reticulum fluids of cows using a radio-transmission pH-measurement system

Circadian pH changes in the fluid of the rumen (bottom and middle) and reticulum were assessed simultaneously using wireless and wired radio-transmission pH-measurement systems in cows fed a control diet (C diet) or rumen-acidosis-inducing diet (RAI diet). The pH in the three sites decreased following the morning and evening feedings. In cows fed the C diet, the bottom-rumen and reticular pH reverted to the basal level by the next morning, while the middle-rumen pH did not recover completely, suggesting that active fermentation occurred in the middle of the rumen. The mean pH at 1 hr intervals was higher in the reticulum than at the bottom and in the middle of the rumen. The relatively stable reticular pH may result from dilution due to salivation. In cows fed the RAI diet, the bottom-rumen pH fell to approximately 5.2 after the evening feeding, but returned to the basal level by the next morning. In contrast, the middle-rumen pH did not return to the basal level (6.5) within 24 hr, presumably owing to continuous, vigorous fermentation. There were positive correlations between the pH at the bottom and in the middle of the rumen and at the bottom of the rumen and in the reticulum. These findings indicate that our radio-transmission pH-measurement system may be suitable tool for simultaneous measurement of pH in the rumen and reticulum fluid.     

不同饲喂方式对南方奶牛产奶性能、养分消化和代谢的影响

研究了具有南方奶牛日粮类型特征的相同精粗比日粮的不同饲喂方式对奶牛的采食行为、产奶性能、全肠道养分表观消化率和血清代谢产物的影响。选用体重相近的12头荷斯坦奶牛,采用单因子设计,根据产奶量、胎次及泌乳天数随机分为2组（n=6）,分别为精粗分饲组（SI）和全混合日粮组（TMR）,精饲料：粗饲料均为50：50。试验结果表明：奶牛采食量无差异,在相同精粗比日粮下,TMR饲养技术极显著减少了奶牛的采食时间（P〈0.01）,显著增加了反刍时间（P〈0.05）,TMR组奶牛的乳脂率、4%标准奶产量、乳脂产量、乳糖产量和乳固形物产量分别比SI组显著提高11.20%、11.60%、17.50%、13.21%和9.86%（P〈0.05）,但对奶牛咀嚼行为、全肠道养分表观消化率和血清代谢产物影响不显著（P〉0.05）。在南方奶牛典型日粮采用TMR饲养技术时,与精粗分饲相比,可提高奶牛的产奶性能,但对奶牛的采食量、咀嚼行为、全肠道养分表观消化率和血清代谢产物没有显著影响。     

Haemorrhages of the Sole Horn of Dairy Cows as a Retrospective Indicator of Laminitis: An Epidemiological Study

Eleven herds with clinical laminitis problems and 11 control herds were studied for 2 consecutive years. All the claws were trimmed and photographically recorded once each year, 2 to 6 months after the cows had calved. The haemorrhages of the sole horn were evaluated and scored for each digit, and data relevant to the factors associated with an increased risk of laminitis for each herd were collected and related to these scores for sole haemorrhages. It was found that the laminitic herds were more prone to the sole lesions than the control herds, the hind claws were more prone than the front claws, the pri-miparous cows were more prone than the multiparous cows and the Swedish Friesian cows were more prone than the Swedish Red and White cows. High scores were also correlated with hard floors (ie concrete) in the cow stalls, with fewer than 4 daily feedings of concentrates, with a short time allocated for the cows to eat concentrates, with feeding concentrates only at the first meal in the morning and in the afternoon and with the interaction between these last 2 variables.     

泌乳奶牛采食、反刍、逍遥行为和日粮纤维性物质表观消化率对比分析

为了对比不同泌乳阶段奶牛的采食、反刍、逍遥行为和日粮营养物质表观消化率,选择体重、胎次相近的8头健康荷斯坦泌乳奶牛,其中,4头处于泌乳盛期(泌乳盛期组),4头处于泌乳后期(泌乳后期组),进行了采食行为观察和消化试验,两组奶牛预饲期20 d,正试期15 d。结果表明,泌乳盛期组奶牛每天的干物质采食量为21.2 kg,极显著高于泌乳后期组的14.1 kg(P<0.01),但两组奶牛的采食时间和采食次数无显著差异(P>0.05),泌乳盛期组奶牛每千克DM采食的时间也极显著低于泌乳后期组奶牛(P<0.01);一昼夜总反刍时间泌乳盛期组奶牛极显著低于泌乳后期组(P<0.01),每千克DMI需反刍时间泌乳盛期组奶牛极显著低于泌乳后期组(P<0.01)。泌乳盛期组奶牛躺卧、走动和站立时间与泌乳后期组奶牛相比无显著差异(P>0.05)。泌乳盛期组奶牛日粮中NDF和ADF的表观消化率极显著低于泌乳后期组(P<0.01),两组奶牛NDF的表观消化率分别为55.8%、67.8%,ADF的表观消化率分别为44.2%、60.7%。