全混合日粮对奶牛产乳性能的影响

试验选用了12头奶牛,根据产奶量、泌乳天数和胎次相近的原则分为试验组和对照组,研究全混合日粮对奶牛产乳性能的影响。试验结果表明,试验组4％标准乳产量比对照组提高1 24kg,差异显著(P<0．05),乳脂率及乳脂、乳糖和乳固形物含量也分别比对照组显著提高11．60％、17．50％、13．21％和9．86％(P<0.05)。     

Relationship between parity and mineral status in dairy cows during the periparturient period

Data from 65 cows were collected to clarify the relationship between parity and mineral status in Holstein cows during the periparturient period. Milk fever occurred in a second‐ and a fourth‐lactation cow at parturition. Bodyweight of cows decreased immediately after parturition, and the decreased weights of cows from 1 to 6 days after parturition ranged from 11 to 27 kg. Milk yield of multiparous cows was higher than that of primiparous cows, but Ca and P concentrations in colostrum were not affected by the parity. Plasma glucose of primiparous cows was higher than that of multiparous cows, and plasma nonesterified fatty acids of fourth‐and‐more‐lactation cows at parturition was highest. Plasma Ca concentration of cows at parturition decreased with advancing parity, and plasma inorganic P concentration of third‐and‐more‐lactation cows was lowest at parturition. Plasma parathyroid hormone of fourth‐and‐more‐lactation cows at parturition was highest, but plasma hydroxyproline and alkaline phosphatase was lowest. These results suggest that the large transfer of Ca and P to colostrum is a factor in the development of milk fever in third‐and‐more‐lactation cows.     

Long term studies on bone mineral changes during different lactations in Swedish dairy cattle

Changes in the bone mineral content (BMG) during the first 4 lactations were continuously studied between July 1977 and February 1982 in a total number of 103 dairy cows of different breeds and rearing intensities. The BMG was measured by dichromatic photon absorptiometry in 2 coccygeal vertebrae. Although great individual variations were found, the changes in BMG during the lactation followed a typical pattern with high values during the dry period and low values after calving and during mid-lactation. The influence of body weight on the BMC value is discussed. The changes in BMC were more accentuated during the first lactation, as compared to the subsequent lactations. This could indicate a metabolically more active skeleton in younger cows. In this study no difference in BMC pattern was observed between cows affected or not affected by parturient paresis.     

Differences in rumen fermentation characteristics between low‐yield and high‐yield dairy cows in early lactation

Relationship between rumen fermentation parameters, blood biochemical profiles and milk production traits in different yielding dairy cows during early lactation was investigated. Twelve dairy cows were divided into two groups based on their milk yield, that is low‐yield (LY) and high‐yield (HY) groups. Rumen fluid and blood were collected at 3 weeks prepartum and 4, 8 and 12 weeks postpartum. Results showed that proportions of acetate, propionate to total short chain fatty acids and acetate : propionate ratio were changed (P < 0.05) in both groups during the peripartum period, whereas butyrate and acetate : butyrate ratio were only altered in the HY group. Blood cholesterol, beta‐hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in the HY group were higher (P < 0.01) than those in the LY group. Principal component analysis revealed that milk yield and milk compositions were differently clustered between groups. These parameters showed similar direction with dry matter intake in the HY group and adverse direction in the LY group. Linear regression analysis indicated that butyrate was positively correlated with BHBA (P < 0.05) in the HY group. This study suggests that cows in the HY group seem to accommodate appropriately to negative energy balance in early lactation through rumen fermentation.     

Comparison between stearoyl‐CoA desaturase expression in milk somatic cells and in mammary tissue of lactating dairy cows

Stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD) is an important enzyme in the bovine mammary gland, where it inserts a cis‐double bond at the Δ9 position in a wide range of fatty acids. Investigating SCD expression in the bovine mammary gland generally requires invasive biopsy to obtain mammary tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of milk somatic cells as a non‐invasive alternative to biopsy for measuring mammary SCD expression in dairy cows. Both milk somatic cells and mammary tissue were collected from 14 Holstein‐Friesian cows and used for analysis of SCD expression by real‐time PCR. The SCD5 mRNA levels in mammary tissue compared with SCD1 were low, and for several milk somatic cell samples, SCD5 expression was even below the limit of detection. A significant relationship was found between SCD1 expression in milk somatic cells and in mammary tissue. In addition, SCD1 expression in milk somatic cells was significantly related to Δ9‐desaturase indices in milk, which are commonly used as an indicator of SCD1 activity within the mammary gland. Our study showed that milk somatic cells can be used as a source of mRNA to study SCD1 expression in dairy cows, offering a non‐invasive alternative to mammary tissue samples obtained by biopsy.     

Metagenomic profiles of the rumen microbiota during the transition period in low‐yield and high‐yield dairy cows

We investigated potential relationships between rumen microbiota and milk production in dairy cows during the transition period. Twelve dairy cows were divided into a low‐yield (LY) or high‐yield (HY) group based on their milk yield. Rumen samples were taken from dairy cows at 3 weeks before parturition, and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after parturition. 16S rDNA‐based metagenomic analysis showed that diversities of rumen microbiota in both groups were similar and the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was lower in the postpartum than prepartum period in both groups. The abundance of Bacteroidetes and ratio of Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes was higher in the HY than the LY group. OTUs assigned to Prevotella bryantii, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and Succinivibrio sp. were abundant in the HY group. These OTUs were significantly related to the propionate molar proportion of rumen fluids in the HY group. OTUs assigned to Lachnospiraceae, Bifidobacterium sp. and Saccharofermentans were dominant in the LY group. Predictive functional profiling revealed that abundance of gene families involved in amino acid and vitamin metabolism was higher in the HY than the LY group. These results suggest that the community structure and fermentation products of rumen microbiota could be associated with milk production of dairy cows.     

日粮中添加蛋氨酸锌对奶牛生产性能和相关生化指标的影响

选择12头中国荷斯坦奶牛随机分为4组,采用4×4拉丁方试验设计,A组为对照组(基础日粮),B、C和D组分别在A组基础上添加120、280和380 mg/kg蛋氨酸锌,研究其对奶牛生产性能和相关生化指标的影响。结果表明:B、C和D组的日均泌乳量分别比A组提高了1.28kg(5.65%)、1.59 kg(7.02%)和1.66 kg(7.33%),均差异显著(P<0.05);4%标准乳量分别提高了0.98 kg(4.73%)、1.22 kg(5.89%)和1.16 kg(5.60%),均达差异显著水平(P<0.05);乳脂率、乳糖、非脂乳固形物含量均差异不显著(P>0.05);乳蛋白分别提高了4.56%、7.02%和7.72%,均差异显著(P<0.05);乳锌含量分别提高了1.05μg/mL(36.59%)、1.59μg/mL(55.40%)和2.08μg/mL(72.47%),均差异极显著(P<0.01);体细胞数分别降低了1.64×104/mL(5.65%)、3.23×104/mL(11.12%)和3.89×104/mL(13.39%),均差异显著(P<0.05);平均干物质采食量分别提高了0.19 kg(0.98%)、0.29 kg(1.51%)和0.32 kg(1.66%),均差异不显著(P>0.05)。经济效益分析表明,C组每牛日均比A组增收3.42元,最为理想。     

The effect of modified roofing on the milk yield and reproductive performance of heat‐stressed dairy cows under hot‐humid conditions

The objective was to measure the effects of cooling techniques (shade cloth vs. normal roof) on performance and physiology of 16 Friesian crossbred cows (87.5% Holstein Friesian × 12.5% Brahman) located at Sakol Nakhon Livestock Research and Testing Station, Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (Sakol Nakhon, Thailand). They were divided randomly into two groups of eight. The two groups were used to evaluate the effects of modified roofing (normal roof fitted with woven polypropylene shade cloth) on the subjects' milk yield and reproductive performance under hot humid conditions. Results indicated that the modified roofing offered a more efficient way to minimize heat stress than the normal roof. The difference was sufficient to enable the cows to have a significantly lower mean rectal temperature and respiration rate (38.56°C, 61.97 breaths/min) than that of the cows housed under normal roofing (39.86°C; 85.16 breaths/min). The cows housed under modified roofing produced more milk (P < 0.05) but did not differ significantly in reproductive performance from the cows housed under normal roofing.     

日粮中添加脂肪酸钙对奶牛生产性能的影响

选取24头处于泌乳前期的中国荷斯坦奶牛,采用配对设计分成4组,研究奶牛日粮中分别添加200g棕榈油脂肪酸钙、大豆油脂肪酸钙和葵花籽油脂肪酸钙对奶牛采食量、产奶量及乳品质的影响。结果表明:日粮中添加3种脂肪酸钙均不影响奶牛采食量(P>0.05);添加棕榈油脂肪酸钙后产奶量提高10.45%、乳脂率提高7.42%、乳蛋白率降低4.67%、乳干物质提高1.41%(P>0.05);添加大豆油脂肪酸钙后产奶量提高4.25%、乳脂率提高8.54%、乳蛋白率降低4.64%、乳干物质提高2.67%(P>0.05);添加葵花籽油脂肪酸钙后产奶量提高4.76%、乳脂率提高3.52%、乳蛋白率降低3.35%、乳干物质提高1.42%(P>0.05)。     

Effect of chronic administration of a gonadotropin‐releasing agonist on luteal function and pregnancy rates in dairy cattle

Increased embryonic losses may be associated with inadequate progesterone (P4) concentrations in high‐producing lactating dairy cattle. The objectives of the present studies were to determine if chronic administration of a gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, Deslorelin, would increase circulating P4 concentrations and subsequently increase pregnancy rates in dairy cattle. Administration of Deslorelin for 12 days increased (p < .05) luteal volume and circulating P4 concentrations in primiparous lactating dairy cows, but increased only luteal volumes in multiparous cows. Treatment with Deslorelin increased Day 45 pregnancy rates in cows as compared to untreated controls. Chronic treatment with Deslorelin in dairy cattle; (a) increased luteal volume of the primary CL, (b) induced accessory CL, (c) increased circulating P4 concentration in primiparous cows only, (d) did not lengthen the estrous cycle upon removal of treatment, and (e) increased pregnancy rates. Although luteal volume was increased in multiparous cows and circulating P4 concentrations were not with Deslorelin treatment, there was an apparent effect on pregnancy rates. This hormonal strategy may represent a suitable model to address local effects of P4 and GnRH/luteinizing hormone on uterine environment and subsequent embryonic survival.     

Milk protein responses to balanced amino acid and removal of Leucine and Arginine supplied from jugular‐infused amino acid mixture in lactating dairy cows

This study was undertaken to evaluate the milk protein response when cows were supplied a balanced AA profile and to determine whether a deficiency of Leucine (Leu) or Arginine (Arg) had a negative effect on milk protein. Eight mid‐lactation Holstein cows were randomly assigned to 5‐day continuous jugular infusions of saline (CTL), EAA mixture prepared on the profile of casein and supplied (in % of lysine (Lys)) 100% of Lys, 33.3% of methionine (Met), 110.2% of Leu, 43.6% of Arg, 50.8% of threonine (Thr), 81.6% of valine (Val), 69.7% of isoleucine (Ile), 61.4% of phenylalanine (Phe) and 34.2% of histidine (His) (Casein, 160 g/d), EAA mixture excluding Leu (?Leu, 163 g/d) or EAA mixture excluding Arg (?Arg, 158 g/d) in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four infusion periods separated by 7‐day interval period. The basal diet supplied 1.6 Mcal NE_L and 94.4 g MP per 1 kg DM to meet requirements for lactation. The Casein treatment provided a balanced supply (in % of MP) of 10.3% Leu and 5.3% Arg, whereas in the two subsequent ?Leu and ?Arg treatments, the concentration of Leu and Arg was reduced to 8.4 and 4.6% respectively. Dry matter intake (15.4 kg/day) was not affected by treatments. The Casein treatment increased milk yield (14.9%, p < 0.001), milk protein yield (120 g, p < 0.001) and milk protein efficiency (0.03, p = 0.099) than CTL treatment. However, the ?Leu treatment decreased the responses of above‐measured parameters by 6.25%, 70 g, 0.05 (p < 0.06) (compared with Casein). These effects of Leu were related to decreased Leu concentration and improved concentration of Ile and Val in plasma. The ?Arg treatment decreased the plasma Arg concentration than the Casein treatment, whereby resulted in the decrease of milk yield (5.7%, p = 0.073), milk protein yield (60 g, p = 0.011) and milk protein efficiency (0.04, p = 0.037). In conclusion, supply of EAA profile of casein can increase the lactation production in dairy cows, and 8.6% of Leu in MP partly limits the milk protein response when the requirements of Lys, Met and His were met. The level of Arg at 4.6% MP is not deemed to an ideal profile, as evidenced by decreased milk protein efficiency.     

Effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide on inflammatory responses,milk production and milk quality in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on inflammatory responses and milk production and quality in lactating dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows were assigned to two treatments in a cross‐over experimental design. Cows were infused intravenously either with saline solution or with saline solution containing LPS from Escherichia coli O111:B4 at a dose of 0.01 μg LPS/kg body weight for approximately 6 hr each day during a seven‐day trial. The clinical symptoms and milk production performance were observed. Milk samples were analysed for conventional components, fatty acids and amino acids. And jugular vein and mammary vein plasma samples were analysed for concentrations of cytokines and acute phase proteins. LPS infusion decreased feed intake and milk yield. An increase in body temperature was observed after LPS infusion. LPS infusion also increased plasma concentrations of interleukin‐1β, serum amyloid A, LPS‐binding protein, C‐reactive protein and haptoglobin. LPS infusion decreased the contents of some fatty acids, such as C17:1, C18:0, C18:1n9 (trans) and C18:2n6 (trans), and most amino acids except for methionine, threonine, histidine, cysteine, tyrosine and proline in the milk. The results indicated that a continued low dose infusion of LPS can induce an inflammatory response, decrease milk production and reduce milk quality.     

Handheld mechanical nociceptive threshold testing in dairy cows – intra‐individual variation,inter‐observer agreement and variation over time

ObjectiveTo examine the use of handheld methodology to assess mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) on cows kept loose-housed.Study designProspective randomized partial cross-over experimental study. A one-factor (test day) design was used to evaluate MNT over time.AnimalsOne hundred and fifteen healthy, loose-housed Danish Holstein cattle.MethodsWe evaluated intra-individual variation, inter-observer agreement and variation over time of MNT using two handheld devices and two stimulation sites. Mechanical, ramped stimulations were performed with an algometer (6.5 mm diameter steel probe, 0–10.0 kgf) or an electronic von Frey device (plastic tip with diameter 0.8 mm, 0–1000 gf). Each cow received 5–6 consecutive stimulations within a 2 × 5 cm skin area on the dorsal or lateral aspect of the left third metatarsus until an avoidance reaction occurred. We investigated the difference in precision [expressed as coefficient of variation (CV)] between the combinations of devices and stimulation sites. The inter-observer agreement and the difference in MNT between test day 1, 3, 7, 10 and 24 were investigated for selected combinations. Data were analysed in mixed models and Bland-Altman as relevant.ResultsThe CVs did not differ [range 0.34–0.52 (p = 0.1)]. Difference between observers (95% limits) was 0.2 kgf (2.8) and 4 gf (369) for the algometer and von Frey device, respectively. Mechanical nociceptive threshold increased from 361 on test day one to 495 gf on test day 24 (p < 0.01).Conclusion and clinical relevanceAll methods showed a high degree of intra-individual variation, and no combination of device and stimulation site showed superior precision. Mean difference between observers was low, and MNT was not consistent over time. Further development of the methods is required before they can be used in research to investigate possible relations between claw lesions and hyperalgesia.     

Supplementary effect of peppermint (Mentha × piperita) on dry matter intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation and milk production in early lactating dairy cows

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of peppermint feeding on dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and milk production in early lactating cows. Four Holstein cows were offered a diet with 5% dried peppermint and four Holstein cows remained on a diet without 5% of dried peppermint on a dry matter basis. The addition of peppermint to feed did not affect dry matter intake, although the eating time of feed was increased by mixing the feed with peppermint. There were no significant differences in the nutrient digestibilities between the two treatments. The ruminal ammonia and volatile fatty acids concentrations were similar in the two treatments, however, peppermint ingestion by cows led to a decrease in ruminal pH. The lowered pH value was within the stable pH condition range. No significant differences in the treatments were observed in milk production or milk composition except for the milk fat content. These results suggest that feeding peppermint to early lactating cows had little effect on their dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and milk production.