丙二醇对围产期奶牛氮平衡和尿中3-甲基组氨酸的影响

选用24头体重(683.1±14.9)kg、胎次(2.5±0.2)、上一泌乳期305 d产奶量(7339±18)kg和预产期(24.5±0.2)d的经产奶牛,随机分为4组,从分娩前19 d开始分别在基础日粮中添加丙二醇0、150、300、450 mL/d,研究丙二醇对围产期奶牛氮平衡和尿中3-甲基组氨酸(3-MH)的影响。结果表明:各组奶牛分娩后第7、21、35天沉积氮逐渐增加(P<0.05),但均显著低于分娩前第21和第14天(P<0.05)。而奶牛分娩后第7、21、35天尿中3-MH逐渐增加(P<0.05),均显著高于分娩前第21和14天。分娩前第21天各组奶牛沉积氮和尿中3-MH没有显著差异(P>0.05),日粮添加丙二醇显著提高了奶牛分娩前第14天的沉积氮;与对照组相比,添加丙二醇300、450 mL/d显著提高了奶牛分娩后第7、21天和35天的沉积氮(P<0.05),显著降低了分娩前第14天和产后第7、21、35天尿中3-MH(P<0.05)。本试验结果表明,在日粮中添加丙二醇有益于改善围产期奶牛氮平衡和降低体蛋白质分解代谢,适宜添加量为300 mL/d。     

丙二醇对围产期奶牛日粮养分消化率的影响

选用24头体重(683.1±14.9)kg、胎次(2.5±0.2)、上一泌乳期305 d,产奶量(7 339±18)kg和预产期(24.5±0.2)d的经产奶牛,随机分为4组,从分娩前19 d到分娩后36 d分别在基础日粮中添加丙二醇0、150、300和450 ml/d,研究丙二醇对围产期奶牛采食量和日粮养分消化率的影响,结果表明:奶牛分娩后7、21和35 d干物质(DM)、有机物质(OM)、粗蛋白质(CP)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)和酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)采食量显著高于分娩前(-21 d和-14 d),分娩后35 d各养分采食量显著高于分娩后7 d(P<0.05)。从分娩前14 d到分娩后35 d各组奶牛DM、OM和CP消化率呈先降低后升高的趋势,但差异均不显著;而分娩后7、21和35 d日粮NDF和ADF消化率显著低于分娩前(-21 d和-14d)(P<0.05)。日粮添加不同水平的丙二醇对围产期奶牛各养分采食量均无显著影响(P>0.05)。与对照组相比,日粮添加丙二醇300 ml/d和450 ml/d,显著提高分娩前14 d和分娩后7、21和35 d DM、NDF和ADF消化率,显著提高分娩后7、21和35 d OM消化率,显著提高分娩后7和21 d CP消化率(P<0.05)。本试验结果表明在日粮中添加丙二醇有益于改善围产期奶牛日粮消化率,适宜添加量为300 ml/d。     

甘油对围产期奶牛能量平衡和肝脏糖原合成的影响

为了研究甘油对围产期奶牛能量平衡和肝脏糖原合成的影响,选用24头体重(674.6±13.8) kg、胎次(2.5±0.5)、上一泌乳期305 d产奶量(7 412±15) kg和预产期(23.8±0.3) d的经产奶牛,随机分为4组,从分娩前19 d开始分别在基础日粮中添加甘油0,100,200和300 g/d。结果表明,与对照组相比,添加甘油200和300 g/d,显著提高了奶牛分娩后7,21和35 d体况评分,显著改善了奶牛分娩前14 d和分娩后7,21和35 d的能量平衡。200和300 g/d组奶牛分娩前14 d胰岛素浓度和分娩后7,21和35 d奶牛血糖和胰岛素浓度显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。200和300 g/d组奶牛分娩后7,21和35 d血浆游离脂肪酸和β-羟丁酸浓度显著低于对照组和100 g/d组(P<0.05)。200和300 g/d组奶牛分娩后7,21和35 d肝脏糖原含量和糖异生途径限速酶活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结果显示在日粮中添加甘油能够加强肝脏葡萄糖异生作用,改善奶牛能量平衡,适宜添加量为200 g/d。     

围产期饲粮中添加异位酸对奶牛生产性能、营养物质表观消化率、瘤胃发酵参数和奶牛、新生犊牛血清指标的影响北大核心CSCD

本试验旨在研究围产期饲粮中添加异位酸对奶牛生产性能、营养物质表观消化率、瘤胃发酵参数和奶牛、新生犊牛血清指标的影响,为异位酸添加剂在奶牛生产中的合理添加使用提供理论依据。选取18头健康、第3胎次、预产期相近的经产荷斯坦围产期奶牛,按照完全随机区组设计分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头奶牛。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,Ⅰ组饲喂基础饲粮+30 mL/(d·头)的异位酸,Ⅱ组饲喂基础饲粮+60 mL/(d·头)的异位酸。预试期10 d,正试期42 d,从奶牛产前21 d开始到产后21 d结束。结果表明:1)在产后10和21 d,Ⅰ、Ⅱ组产奶量均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。2)Ⅰ、Ⅱ组干物质(DM)、粗蛋白质(CP)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)和酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)表观消化率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。Ⅰ、Ⅱ组瘤胃氨态氮(NH 3-N)含量均显著低于对照组(P<0.05);Ⅱ组瘤胃微生物蛋白(MCP)、乙酸和总挥发性脂肪酸含量均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。3)在产前10 d,Ⅱ组奶牛血清球蛋白(GLB)含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。在分娩当天,奶牛血清白蛋白(ALB)含量显著高于对照组和Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。在产前10 d和产后21 d,Ⅱ组奶牛血清尿素氮(UN)含量均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。在产后21 d,Ⅰ、Ⅱ组奶牛血清葡萄糖(GLU)含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。4)在产前10 d,Ⅰ组奶牛血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05),在产后10和21 d,Ⅱ组均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。在分娩当天和产后10 d,Ⅱ组奶牛血清丙二醛(MDA)含量均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。在分娩当天,Ⅰ组奶牛血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)显著高于对照组(P<0.05),在产后10 d,Ⅱ组显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。5)在产前10 d和分娩当天,Ⅱ组奶牛血清免疫球蛋白G(IgG)含量均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。在分娩当天,Ⅱ组奶牛血清免疫球蛋白M(IgM)含量显著高于对照组和Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。6)Ⅰ、Ⅱ组新生犊牛血清GSH-Px活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),Ⅰ组新生犊牛血清IgA、IgG含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。综上所述,在围产期饲粮中添加异位酸可提高奶牛产奶量、营养物质表观消化率、瘤胃发酵参数、奶牛的抗氧化及免疫能力,并在一定程度上增强新生犊牛的抗氧化和免疫能力。本试验中,奶牛围产期饲粮中异位酸适宜添加量为60 mL/(d·头)。     

纤维素酶和丙二醇对产后奶牛能量负平衡相关血清指标的影响

本文旨在比较饲粮中添加纤维素酶和丙二醇对产后奶牛能量负平衡相关血清指标、尿液酮体浓度的影响。试验选择24头处于围产前期奶牛随机分成3组,对照组饲喂基础饲粮,另设置丙二醇组(基础饲粮+0.5%丙二醇制剂)和纤维素酶组(基础饲粮+0.1%纤维素酶制剂),测定产后第1、20、40、60和100天奶牛能量负平衡相关血清指标、尿液酮体的浓度。结果表明:在产后第1天丙二醇组血清葡萄糖和胰岛素浓度显著高于其余2组(P<0.05);在产后第1、20、40和60天,丙二醇组血清游离脂肪酸和尿液酮体浓度显著低于对照组(P<0.05),第20天显著低于纤维素酶组(P<0.05);甘油三酯等与肝脏脂肪代谢相关的血清指标试验组优于对照组,且以丙二醇组更好。综上,饲粮添加丙二醇及纤维素酶对奶牛产后能量负平衡有一定的改善作用,且以添加0.5%丙二醇制剂效果相对更好。     

后生元对肉鸡抗氧化功能及肝功能的影响

试验旨在研究后生元对肉鸡抗氧化能力及肝功能的影响。试验选用1日龄健康、体重相近的WOD168母雏510只,随机分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复34只。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,抗生素组在基础饲粮中添加5×10⁷ U/t盐酸大观霉素和25 g/t盐酸林可霉素可溶性粉,后生元组在基础饲粮中添加750 g/t后生元。试验分为2个阶段:1～21 d和22～35 d。在21、35 d分别对各试验组进行屠宰、采样。结果显示:与对照组和抗生素组相比,后生元极显著提高21 d和35 d肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力(P<0.01);提高21 d肺脏SOD活力(P<0.05),降低35 d肺脏丙二醛(MDA)含量(P<0.05);降低21 d和35 d盲肠MDA含量(P<0.05),提高35 d盲肠SOD活力(P<0.05);而与对照组和后生元组相比,抗生素极显著提高21 d和35 d肝脏MDA含量(P<0.01),降低肝脏SOD活力(P<0.01)。在肝功能方面,后生元组血清中谷草转氨酶(AST)和谷丙转氨酶(ALT)活性与对照组差异不显著(...     

甘蔗渣作为粗饲料对奶牛生产性能、养分消化和采食行为的影响

文章旨在评价甘蔗渣作为粗饲料对泌乳奶牛采食量、消化率、采食行为、泌乳量、乳成分及微生物蛋白合成等方面的影响。试验选择10头初始体重为(450±25.6)kg,泌乳天数为(143.7±30.7)d的杂交奶牛为研究对象,试验采用5×5拉丁方设计,饲喂周期为5个21 d(1~14 d为适应期,15~21 d为数据采集期)。试验日粮分为对照日粮、45%、50%、55%和60%甘蔗渣日粮。结果:对照组与45%和50%甘蔗渣组干物质、有机物、总可消化养分摄入量、干物质和有机物消化率无显著差异(P>0.05),而55%和60%甘蔗渣组干物质和有机物消化率最低(P<0.05)。甘蔗渣组与对照组对中性洗涤纤维摄入量和表观消化率的影响具有显著差异(P<0.05),其中45%甘蔗渣组奶牛的非纤维碳水化合物摄入量和消化率与对照组相似(P>0.05)。日粮甘蔗渣添加水平对营养物质的摄入量和消化率呈显著线性降低(P<0.05)。60%甘蔗渣组较对照组显著降低了奶牛反刍时间,显著提高空闲时间(P<0.05)。奶牛的反刍时间、反刍和采食效率随日粮甘蔗渣添加水平的升高显著线性降低(P<0.05),而空闲时间随饲粮中甘蔗渣含量的增加线性增加(P<0.05)。结论:日粮添加甘蔗渣降低了奶牛日产奶量,但添加水平为45%~50%时可以使奶牛泌乳量达到12 kg/d。     

山楂对围产期奶牛肝功能和血脂的影响

本研究旨在阐明山楂对围产期奶牛肝功能和血脂水平的影响,以期为该药在奶牛生产中的应用提供初步的试验依据。选取胎次、泌乳量和体况相近的20头围产期荷斯坦牛,随机分为试验组和对照组,每组10头。对照组饲喂全混合日粮,试验组从分娩前21d开始在全混合日粮的基础上每天添加100g山楂,连续42d。分别于分娩前21d、分娩当天、分娩后21d尾根静脉采血,检测血液谷草转氨酶(AST)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、总胆固醇(TC)和甘油三酯(TG)水平。结果表明,试验组奶牛产前21d和分娩当天血浆中AST、ALP、GGT、ALT、TC和TG水平低于对照组,但差异不显著(P0.05),但产后21d均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。试验组产后21d血浆中AST、ALP、GGT、ALT、TC和TG水平均显著高于产前21d(P0.05)。综上表明,在日粮中添加100g/d山楂粉末,能够明显降低围产期奶牛AST、ALP、GGT、ALT活性以及TC、TG含量,具有降低围产期奶牛血脂水平和减轻肝损伤的作用。     

产前添加过瘤胃胆碱对围产期奶牛生产性能和肝脏功能的影响

为探讨产前添加过瘤胃胆碱对围产期奶牛生产性能和肝脏功能的影响,选取产前30～40 d的经产干奶牛20头,随机分为对照组和试验组。在产前21 d至分娩阶段,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组基础日粮中添加过瘤胃胆碱(30 g/d);分别于预产期前7 d及产后0、7、14 d采血并分离血清,检测血清生化指标和其他代谢物浓度;于产后1～15 d记录产奶量,产后30 d时采集乳汁并分析乳成分。结果表明:产前添加过瘤胃胆碱增加了奶牛产后1～15 d的日均产奶量(P0.05),降低了血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶和乳酸脱氢酶活性(P0.05),降低了血清总蛋白、球蛋白和胆固醇水平(P0.05)。上述结果表明,产前21 d至分娩时添加过瘤胃胆碱30 g/d能显著提高奶牛泌乳早期的产奶量,改善肝脏功能。     

过瘤胃维生素D对围产期奶牛低血钙症的影响

为了阐明日粮添加过瘤胃维生素D对围产期奶牛低钙血症的调控机制,在某集约化奶牛场选取40头奶牛,随机分为4组,对照组(C)饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组分别于产前10d至分娩后10d在日粮中每天添加1.5、3.0、6.0g/头过瘤胃维生素D。对4组试验奶牛围产期(分别于产前10、7、3、0d和产后3、7、10d)血清维生素D3(1,25-(OH)2D3)、钙、羟脯氨酸、甲状旁腺素和降钙素水平进行检测。结果表明,围产期奶牛血钙水平分娩时达最低,产后逐渐上升,且产前7d至产后10d对照组奶牛血钙浓度显著低于试验Ⅰ组(P<0.05);分娩当天试验Ⅰ组奶牛血浆中1,25-(OH)2D3、羟脯氨酸和降钙素水平显著高于对照组(P<0.05),甲状旁腺素水平显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。提示,日粮中每天添加1.5g/头过瘤胃维生素D能调节甲状旁腺素和降钙素等激素的分泌,促进肠道对钙的吸收,动员骨钙,从而防止奶牛产后低钙血的发生,且围产期奶牛低血钙症与机体血钙稳态调节作用密切关联。     

Effects of body condition at far-off dry period on blood biochemistry,liver triacylglycerol and muscular monocarboxylate transporter-1 mRNA expression in tropical Holstein dairy cows during peripartum period

Effects of body condition score (BCS) at far-off dry period on blood biochemistry, liver triacylglycerol, and muscular monocarboxylate transporter-1 mRNA expression in tropical Holstein dairy cows during peripartum period were studied. Eight dry cows were divided into two groups of four cows based on their BCS at 8 weeks prepartum: high BCS (HBS) and low BCS (LBS). Blood samples were collected weekly from 8 weeks before expected calving date until 8 weeks postpartum for determination of serum glucose, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA). Muscle and liver samples were biopsied at 2 weeks before expected calving date and at 2 weeks postpartum for determination of muscular monocarboxylate transporter-1 (MCT-1) mRNA expression and liver triacylglycerol concentrations. Decreased BCS and elevated serum NEFA and BHBA indicated that LBS cows entered to the NEB period earlier than did HBS cows. LBS cows showed lower liver TAG and higher muscular MCT-1 mRNA expression than did HBS cows. The MCT-1 mRNA expression at 2 weeks prepartum was negatively correlated with BCSs at 2–3 weeks prepartum and at 1–2 weeks postpartum. In conclusion, LBS cows most likely adapted to NEB by upregulation of muscular MCT-1 expression and had lower NEB consequences during postpartum period.     

Effect of reduced energy density of close-up diets on dry matter intake,lactation performance and energy balance in multiparous Holstein cows

Energy intake prepartum is critically important to health,milk performance,and profitability of dairy cows.The objective of this study was to determine the effect of reduced energy density of close-up diets on dry matter intake(DMI),lactation performance and energy balance(EB) in multiparous Holstein cows which were housed in a free-stall bam and fed for ad libitum intake.Thirty-nine dry cows were blocked and assigned randomly to three groups fed a high energy density diet[HD,n = 13;6.8 MJ of net energy for lactation(NE_L)/kg;14.0%crude protein(CP)],or a middle energy density diet(MD,n = 13;6.2 MJ NE_L/kg;14.0%CP),or a low energy density diet(LD,n = 13;5.4 MJ NE_L/kg;14.0%CP) from d 21 before expected day of calving.After parturition,all cows were fed the same lactation diet to d 70 in milk(DIM).The DMI and NE_L intake prepartum were decreased by the reduced energy density diets(P 0.05).The LD group consumed 1.3 kg/d(DM) more diet compared with HD group in the last 24 h before calving.The milk yield and the postpartum DMI were increased by the reduced energy density diet prepartum(P 0.05).The changes in BCS and BW prepartum and postpartum were not affected by prepartum diets.HD group had higher milk fat content and lower lactose content compared with LD group during the first 3 wk of lactation(P 0.05).The energy consumption for HD,MD and LD groups were 149.8%,126.2%and 101.1%of their calculated energy requirements prepartum(P 0.05),and 72.7%,73.1%and 75.2%during the first 4 wk postpartum,respectively.In conclusion,the low energy density prepartum diet was effective in controlling NE_L intake prepartum,and was beneficial in increasing DMI and milk yield,and alleviating negative EB postpartum.     

Sire breed of calf influences peripartum endocrine profiles and postpartum anestrus in Brahman cows

The literature indicates that sire breed of calf influences beef calf performance. However, there is little information concerning sire breed of calf effects on reproduction in beef cows. In this experiment, Angus (A), Brahman (B), or Tuli (T) bulls were bred to 136 Brahman (B) cows to examine sire breed of calf influence on peripartum hormone profiles and the length of postpartum anestrus. Cows were bled from 7 d prepartum to 28 d postpartum to determine peripartum hormone concentrations. Cows carrying AB calves had greater (P < 0.05) prepartum estradiol-17β concentrations than did cows carrying BB and TB calves. Prepartum and postpartum progesterone concentrations did not differ between cows with AB, BB, and TB calves. Cows with TB calves had lower (P < 0.01) 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F₂ (PGFM) concentrations than did cows with AB and BB calves during the early postpartum period. Adjusting for birth weight removed the sire breed of calf effect on postpartum PGFM concentrations, but not prepartum estradiol-17β. Postpartum anestrus was shorter (P < 0.05) for cows nursing BB calves (84 ± 6 d) than for cows nursing AB (101 ± 6 d) or TB calves (110 ± 7 d). Adjustment for estradiol or PGFM concentrations did not reduce sire breed of calf effects on the length of postpartum anestrus. Further work is needed to determine how calf genotype may modulate the postpartum reproductive function of the dam.     

Slow recovery of blood glucose in the insulin tolerance test during the prepartum transition period negatively impacts the nutritional status and reproductive performance postpartum of dairy cows

In peripartum dairy cows, insulin resistance (IR) increases to adjust the direction of energy to lactation after calving. To investigate the effect of prepartum IR on postpartum reproductive performance, the insulin tolerance test (ITT) was applied to 15 cows at 3 weeks (Pre21) and 10 days (Pre10) before the predicted calving date. Blood glucose area under the curve (AUC(glu)) within 120 min after administration of 0.05 IU/kg-BW insulin was calculated. The occurrence of first ovulation, days to first artificial insemination (AI) and first AI conception rate were recorded. Nutritional status postpartum was evaluated by blood chemical analysis. Based on AUC(glu) changes from Pre21 to Pre10, cows were classified into either the AUC-up group (AUC(glu) increase, n=5) or the AUC-down group (AUC(glu) decrease, n=10). There was no difference in the decrease in blood glucose at 30 min after insulin injection between groups, although glucose recovery from 30 to 60 min during the ITT was slow at Pre10 in the AUC-up group. The AUC-up group had a higher number of days to first AI and high glucose, total protein, globulin, γ-glutamyltransferase, triacylglycerol levels and a low albumin-globulin ratio at the 14th day postpartum. The present study infers that prepartum slow glucose recovery rather than insulin sensitivity might increase the potential for subclinical health problems postpartum and thus suppress reproductive performance. During the prepartum transition period, glucose dynamics in the ITT can be considered as a new indicator for the postpartum metabolic status and reproductive performance of dairy cows.     

Effect of reduced energy density of close-up diets on dry matter intake,lactation performance and energy balance in multiparous Holstein cows

Energy intake prepartum is critically important to health, milk performance, and profitability of dairy cows. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of reduced energy density of close-up diets on dry matter intake (DMI), lactation performance and energy balance (EB) in multiparous Holstein cows which were housed in a free-stall barn and fed for ad libitum intake. Thirty-nine dry cows were blocked and assigned randomly to three groups fed a high energy density diet [HD, n = 13; 6.8 MJ of net energy for lactation (NE_L)/kg; 14.0% crude protein (CP) ], or a middle energy density diet (MD, n = 13; 6.2 MJ NE_L/kg; 14.0% CP), or a low energy density diet (LD, n = 13; 5.4 MJ NE_L/kg; 14.0% CP) from d 21 before expected day of calving. After parturition, all cows were fed the same lactation diet to d 70 in milk (DIM). The DMI and NE_L intake prepartum were decreased by the reduced energy density diets (P < 0.05). The LD group consumed 1.3 kg/d (DM) more diet compared with HD group in the last 24 h before calving. The milk yield and the postpartum DMI were increased by the reduced energy density diet prepartum (P < 0.05). The changes in BCS and BW prepartum and postpartum were not affected by prepartum diets. HD group had higher milk fat content and lower lactose content compared with LD group during the first 3 wk of lactation (P < 0.05). The energy consumption for HD, MD and LD groups were 149.8%, 126.2% and 101.1% of their calculated energy requirements prepartum (P < 0.05), and 72.7%, 73.1% and 75.2% during the first 4 wk postpartum, respectively. In conclusion, the low energy density prepartum diet was effective in controlling NE_L intake prepartum, and was beneficial in increasing DMI and milk yield, and alleviating negative EB postpartum.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate and monensin on expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in liver of transition dairy cows

Thirty-four multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized block design to evaluate the effects of feeding nonforage fiber sources (NFFS), monensin, or their combination on expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in the liver during the transition to lactation. The addition of 0 or 300 mg/d of monensin to a conventional (CONV) or NFFS prepartum diet was evaluated in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The NFFS diet was formulated by replacing 30% of the forage component of the CONV diet with cottonseed hulls and soyhulls. The CONV and NFFS basal diets were fed at dry-off and continued through parturition. Monensin was fed from -28 d relative to calving (DRTC) through parturition. At calving, all cows were placed on the same diet. Liver biopsy samples obtained at -28, -14, +1, +14, and +28 DRTC were used to determine pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C) mRNA expression. Feeding NFFS resulted in greater (P < 0.05) prepartum DMI compared with the CONV diet. There was no effect of prepartum diets on postpartum DMI or average milk production to 56 d of lactation. Expression of PC mRNA was elevated (P < 0.05) at 1 d postpartum, but there was no effect of NFFS or monensin on PC mRNA abundance. Expression of PEPCK-C mRNA at calving was increased (P < 0.05) with prepartum monensin feeding. The data indicate that feeding monensin to transition cows induces hepatic PEPCK-C mRNA expression before calving. The increased expression of hepatic PEPCK-C mRNA with monensin feeding suggests a feed-forward mechanism of metabolic control in ruminants that links molecular control of gluconeogenesis with the profile of rumen fermentation end products.     

Impact of metritis on the generation of reactive oxygen species by circulating phagocytes and plasma lipopolysaccharide concentration in peripartum dairy cows

This study examined the relationship between postpartum metritis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration in peripartum dairy cows. Blood was collected twice weekly from 2 weeks prepartum through 6 weeks postpartum. Whole blood chemiluminescence (WBCL) was measured using the luminol‐enhanced zymosan‐stimulated chemiluminescence assay. Cows were examined for uterine health disorders and classified into two groups, healthy (n = 11) and metritis (n = 5). Metritis had a significant effect on WBCL, with cows with metritis having a higher WBCL. Plasma LPS concentrations in cows with metritis were significantly higher than in healthy cows. To examine the effect of LPS on WBCL, blood was sampled in healthy peripartum cows (1 to 2 weeks prepartum, n = 8; 0 to 3 weeks postpartum, n = 11; and 4 to 8 weeks postpartum, n = 8) and incubated with LPS. At 1 endotoxin units/mL of LPS, similar to the plasma LPS concentration in cows with metritis, the WBCL increased in cows at 0 to 3 weeks postpartum. Results indicate that the increase in ROS generation and plasma LPS concentration are associated with metritis, and LPS may be responsible for enhanced ROS generation in early postpartum dairy cows.     

Effect of various dietary fat supplementations on liver lipid and glycogen of high-yielding dairy cows in the peripartal period

In a model experiment, Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were fed on a corn-silage-based diet supplemented with 11.75 MJ NE1 per day of calcium soaps of palm oil fatty acids (CAS) or hydrogenated triglyceride (HTG) or without fat supplementation (control). All diets were fed to the cows over a period from 21 +/- 3 days (d) prior to the expected calving to d 100 +/- 5 postpartum. On d 25 (basal sample) and d 14 prepartum as well as on d 5 and 25 postpartum liver samples were collected by percutaneous biopsy. Total lipid content, fatty acid composition and glycogen of liver tissues were determined. At d 5 postpartum, both control and CAS cows had higher liver lipid (P < 0.05) and lower glycogen (P < 0.05) concentrations than cows in the HTG group. No significant (P < 0.05) differences were detected in liver fat content among the groups at d 14 prepartum or d 25 postpartum. The glycogen concentration slightly decreased in the liver of cows in each treatment group from d 14 prepartum to d 5 postpartum; however, this decrease was more intensive in both the control and CAS groups than in the HTG group. The variations in liver lipid concentrations were accompanied by significant changes in the proportion of C16:0, C16:1n-7, C18:0, C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6 and C20:4n-6 fatty acids in the liver lipids. The results show that HTG supplementation exerted more advantageous effects on liver lipid and glycogen metabolism than did CAS supplementation.     

Effect of fat supplementation during transition period on plasma leptin and non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations in Holstein cows

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of fat supplementation during the transition period on pre and postpartum body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose and leptin concentrations in Holstein cows. Holstein cows (n = 15) received a low fat diet (LF; 1.61 Mcal net energy for lactation (NEL)/kg of dry matter [DM]), moderate fat diet (MF; 1.68 Mcal NEL/kg DM) or a high fat diet (HF; 1.74 Mcal NEL/kg DM) for 4 weeks prior to calving. All cows were fed similar lactation diets ad libitum (1.74 Mcal NEL/kg DM) for 30 days after calving. Increasing diet energy density during transition period had no effect on prepartum DMI, BCS, BW, glucose and NEFA concentrations (P > 0.05); but leptin concentrations and energy balance (EB) were affected by treatments (P < 0.05). Animals fed HF had less plasma leptin prepartum. After parturition, BW, milk production, milk fat, protein, urea nitrogen and plasma glucose concentrations were affected by prepartum diets (P < 0.05). Fat supplementation prepartum did not affect postpartum NEFA. In conclusion, prepartum fat supplementation decreased leptin concentration prepartum.