Milk selenium content and speciation in response to supranutritional selenium yeast supplementation in cows

The effects of selenium (Se) yeast supplementation on performance, blood biochemical and antioxidant parameters, and milk Se content and speciation were evaluated. Thirty-six mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) control (basal diet containing Se at 0.11 mg/kg DM), 2) basal diet + 0.5 mg supplemental Se/kg DM (SY-0.5), and 3) basal diet + 5 mg supplemental Se/kg DM (SY-5). Selenium was supplemented as Se yeast. The trial consisted of a 1-week pretrial period and an 8-week experimental period. Milk somatic cell score decreased with SY-5 supplementation (P < 0.05), but other performance parameters were not affected (P > 0.05). The serum Se concentration increased with the increasing levels of Se yeast supplementation (P < 0.05), however, blood biochemical parameters showed few treatment effects. The antioxidant capacity of dairy cows was improved with Se yeast supplementation reflected in increased serum glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.05) and total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.08), and decreased malondialdehyde concentration (P < 0.05). Milk total Se concentration increased with Se dose (P < 0.05). Also, the selenomethionine concentration increased with Se dose from 13.0 ± 0.7 μg/kg in control to 33.1 ± 2.1 μg/kg in SY-0.5 and 530.4 ± 17.5 μg/kg in SY-5 cows (P < 0.05). Similarly, selenocystine concentration increased from 15.6 ± 0.9 μg/kg in control and 18.9 ± 1.1 μg/kg in SY-0.5 to 22.2 ± 1.5 μg/kg in SY-5 cows (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Se yeast is a good organic Se source to produce Se-enriched cow milk with increased Se species including selenomethionine and selenocystine. The results can provide useful information on milk Se species when a high dose Se yeast was supplemented in the cow diet.     

奶牛隐性乳房炎发生规律的调查分析

奶牛乳房炎作为奶牛疾病中发生率最高的疾病之一，一直困扰着奶牛业，成为影响其经济效益及发展的主要因素之一。多数乳房炎在临床上不表现症状，必须借助生化检验或细菌检验方可查出异常，这一类乳房炎称为隐性乳房炎。隐性乳房炎发病率极高，据北京、上海、广州和哈尔滨等地的调查结果表明，奶牛隐性乳房炎发病率为10％～40％，西欧部分经济发达国家奶牛隐性乳房炎发病率也高达25％。     

"增奶威"饲喂奶牛的效果试验

选择中国荷斯坦泌乳牛饲喂增奶威活性饲料添加剂。结果表明:增奶威可提高产奶量5-5.8%,增加乳脂率0.04%,牛奶中的体细胞数下降57%,胎衣滞留比率降低,投入产出比达到1:3.8。     

Coping capacity of dairy cows during the change from conventional to automatic milking

In conventional milking systems, dairy cows are driven to the milking stall twice or thrice daily, whereas in automatic milking systems (AMS), the cows enter the milking stall voluntarily. In this study, noninvasive methods were used to analyze the physiological reaction of 17 cows toward the changeover from conventional to automatic milking. Milk yield and composition were analyzed. Heart rate was recorded continuously, and feces was sampled twice daily to determine cortisol metabolites (11, 17-dioxoandrostanes) for a period of 2 wk. During the first visit to the AMS (without milking), heart rate was elevated compared with parlor milking by 35 +/- 3 beats per minute (bpm) above basal heart rate (P < 0.05). Heart rate during the first milking in AMS (eighth visit) was already similar to the heart rate previously measured during milking in the parlor (18.1 +/- 2.2 bpm above basal level). Concentration of fecal cortisol metabolites was unchanged during the change-over compared with parlor milking. A decreased (P < 0.05) milk yield of 68 +/- 7% relative to previous parlor yield during the first AMS milking indicated a disturbance of milk ejection in most cows. Individual yields ranged from 8 to 96% of the previous parlor yield. To examine the relationship between adrenal cortex sensitivity and the coping process, an ACTH challenge experiment was performed after the changeover period. Cows that released more cortisol after ACTH injection, indicating a higher adrenal cortex sensitivity, had a less enhanced heart rate and a near normal milk ejection during the first AMS milkings (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the reactions toward the changeover to AMS milking varied widely within cows. Adaption to the AMS was easier in animals with a higher adrenal cortex sensitivity to ACTH.     

Distribution of glutathione peroxidase activity and selenium in the blood of dairy cows.

The distribution of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and selenium concentrations among several components in the blood of dairy cows was examined. Approximately 98% of the GSH-Px activity in peripheral blood was associated with the erythrocytes when enzyme activity was expressed as units per milliliter of blood. The GSH-Px activity expressed per cell was approximately fourfold greater for peripheral leukocytes than for erythrocytes. The cellular component contained a greater proportion (approx 73%) of whole blood selenium than did the plasma. A positive linear relationship (r = 0.958) between blood GSH-Px activity and blood selenium concentrations was found in dairy cattle under practical field conditions.     

有机硒对奶牛血硒含量和抗氧化能力的影响

选用35头处于干奶期40d，泌乳期相近和上胎平均日产奶量20kg的中国荷斯坦奶牛，采用完全随机区组设计分为7组，即：对照组、亚硒酸钠（7．5mg／d、15mg／d和22．5mg／d）和有机硒（7．5mg／d、15mg／d和22．5mg／d），研究有机硒和无机硒对血硒含量和抗氧化能力的影响。结果表明：试验前各组体细胞数、全血谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性、血硒差异不显著，试验期有机硒较无机硒显著降低体细胞数，提高了全血谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活力和血硒含量。由此推断有机硒提高机体的抗氧化能力，降低了体细胞数。     

Relation between selenium content and glutathione-peroxidase activity in blood of cattle

To identify a simple method for assessing the selenium demand in cattle, the relationship between selenium content in whole blood and the concentration of the selenium containing enzyme glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9; GSH-Px) in red blood cells was studied. On six farms with suspected low soil selenium content, blood samples were collected from groups of calves, yearlings and adults at the end of the housing period and of the grazing period. The data obtained showed a highly significant correlation between the parameters mentioned: GSH-Px (U/g Hb) = 3.261 * Se (micrograms/kg) - 40.553. In growing animals there was a decline in Se supply with age, followed by a gradual recovery in heifers. This was most pronounced on some sandy soils and on peat soil. Seasonal effects could not be demonstrated.