Effect of eprinomectin treatment on milk yield and quality in dairy cows in South Tyrol, Italy

The effect of treatment with eprinomectin on milk yield, milk composition and somatic cell counts (SCCs) was studied in 105 dairy cows located on seven farms in South Tyrol, Italy. On each farm, half of the animals were treated with eprinomectin and the other half were used as an untreated control group. Three test day records per animal were obtained before treatment (days -117, -75 and -33) and another three test day records were obtained after treatment (days 22, 62 and 131). Test day records comprised milk yield, milk composition, SCC and days in milk. On the day of treatment, blood samples and faecal samples were taken for parasitological analysis. Cows with positive faecal egg counts yielded less milk. A significant effect of eprinomectin on milk yield was observed after treatment and was most pronounced on the second and the third test days after treatment (+1.90 kg [P=0.002] and +2.63 kg [P<0.001], respectively). Furthermore, a significant decrease in SCC was observed on the second test day after treatment.     

Effects of vitamin E and different energy sources on vitamin E status, milk quality and reproduction in transition cows

We investigated whether vitamin E supplementation and supplemental energy sources (fat or starch) influenced plasma and milk levels of vitamin E, and reproductive and other parameters in 28 Italian Friesian multiparous dry cows. From 14 days before expected calving to 7 days after, the animals were assigned to either basal diet (containing 1000 IU/day of vitamin E) or an extra 1000 IU/day of vitamin E (total 2000 IU). In addition they received either 0.5 kg/day of corn or 0.2 kg/day of calcium soaps. Plasma samples were collected 4 days before expected calving and 4 days after calving and analysed for alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol. Milk yield as well as the composition, somatic cell count (SCC) and alpha-tocopherol of milk were determined 7 and 14 days after calving. Milk yield and composition were unaffected by treatments. SCC was significantly lower in (SCC Log 4.62 versus Log 5.1, P < 0.01) 2000 IU/day animals than in the 1000 IU/day group. Milk alpha-tocopherol was higher (P < 0.001) in animals receiving 2000 IU/day (1.11 vs. 0.65 microgram/ml, P < 0.01). Plasma alpha-tocopherol in animals receiving 2000 IU/day was also higher (P < 0.001) than in cows receiving 1000 IU/day (4.85 vs. 3.25 micrograms/ml), but was not affected by dietary energy source. Number of services and days to conception were lower (P < 0.01) in the 2000 IU vitamin E supplemented cows. To conclude, dietary vitamin E supplementation to periparturient dairy cows increased plasma and milk vitamin E, decreased SCC in milk, and improved fertility but different energy sources had no effect on any measured variable.     

Genotype x environment interactions in milk yield and quality in Angus, Brahman, and reciprocal-cross cows on different forage systems

Milk yield and quality were observed on 93 Angus, Brahman, and reciprocal-cross cows over 3 yr to evaluate the interactions of direct and maternal breed effects and heterosis with forage environment. Forage environments were common bermudagrass (BG), endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+), and a rotational system (ROT) of both forages, in which each forage (BG or E+) was grazed during its appropriate season, usually June through October for BG and November through May for E+. Milk yield was estimated each of 6 mo (April through September) via milking machine and converted to a 24-h basis. Milk fat, milk protein, and somatic cell count were analyzed by a commercial laboratory. Heterosis for milk yield was similar among forages, averaging 2.4 kg (P < 0.01). Expressed as percentages of purebred means, heterosis for milk yield was largest on E+ (52.8%), intermediate on ROT (39.3%), and smallest on BG (23.7%). Direct breed effects for milk yield favored Brahman, and they were similar among forages but tended to be larger for E+ (2.5 kg) and ROT (2.8 kg) than for BG (1.3 kg). Direct breed effects for milk fat favored Brahman and were similar among forages but tended to be larger for E+ (1.0%) and ROT (1.0%) than for BG (0.6%). Purebred cows exceeded crossbreds in milk protein by 0.1% on ROT (P < 0.10). Crossbred cows had lower somatic cell counts than purebreds on BG (P < 0.05), E+ (P < 0.01), or ROT (P > 0.30). Heterosis for somatic cell counts as percentages of purebred means was similar for BG (-68.3%) and E+ (-68.9%) and less favorable for ROT (-31.6%). Maternal breed effects for somatic cell count favored Angus on ROT (P < 0.10) with a similar nonsignificant trend on BG and E+. Direct breed effects for somatic cell count favored Brahman on ROT (P < 0.10) with similar nonsignificant trends on BG and E+. These results suggested that a rotation of cows from E+ to BG in the summer can partially alleviate negative effects of E+ on milk yield. Conclusions also indicated an advantage to crossbred cows in somatic cell count and provided evidence of both direct and maternal breed effects for this trait. The results also suggested that direct breed effects for milk yield, milk fat, and somatic cell count and heterosis for milk yield and somatic cell count (as percentages of purebred means) tended to vary with forage environment, indicating a potential for genotype x environment interaction for these traits.     

益康XP对奶牛血浆内毒素含量及其他指标的影响

选取泌乳天数<40 d的健康奶牛 12头,按胎次、泌乳天数和产奶量相同或相似的原则,分为试验组和对照组。两组日粮组成相同,试验组牛每天添加益康XP的剂量为试验第1天至第7天500 g/(头·d),从第 8 天后减少到120 g/(头·d),分两次饲喂。试验期为60 d。于试验前 1 天,试验第 20 天,40天和第 60 天分别采血,用鲎试剂法测定血浆内毒素含量;定期测定日均产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率和体细胞数;记录情期受胎率及疾病发生情况。结果表明,试验组奶牛在试验后第20天,第 40 天和第 60 天血浆内毒素均极显著低于对照组(P<0.01);产奶量在第20天,第60天显著高于对照组(P<0.05);两组奶牛乳脂率、乳蛋白率、体细胞数差异均不显著(P>0.05);试验组情期受胎率极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);在疾病发生率方面,试验组极显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。     

酵母培养物益康XP对奶牛血浆内毒素含量及其它指标影响的研究

选取泌乳初期(泌乳天数<40d)健康奶牛12头,按胎次、泌乳天数和产奶量相同或相似的原则进行配对,分为试验组和对照组。两组日粮组成相同,但试验组牛每天添加益康XP(剂量为试验第1-7d500g/头/d,从第8d后减少到120g/头/d,分两次饲喂)。试验期为60d。于试验前1d、试验第20d、40d、60d分别采血,用鲎试剂法测定血浆内毒素含量;定期测定日均产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率和体细胞数;并记录情期受胎率及疾病发生情况。结果表明:试验组奶牛在试验后第20d、40d、60d血浆内毒素均极显著低于对照组(p<0.01);产奶量在第20d、60d显著高于对照组(p<0.05);两组奶牛乳脂率、乳蛋白率、体细胞数差异均不显著(p>0.05);试验组情期受胎率极显著高于对照组(p<0.01);在疾病发生率方面,试验组极显著低于对照组(p<0.01)。     

酶制剂对泌乳前期奶牛产奶量和乳成分的影响

选择年龄、胎次、产奶量和泌乳时间相近的30头泌乳前期荷斯坦牛,随机分为3组(试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组和对照组),每组10头。在试验组精料补充料中添加300g/t和600g/t的非淀粉多糖酶制剂,研究其对奶牛产奶量和乳成分的影响。结果表明,与对照组相比,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组奶牛产奶量分别提高了1.18kg/d和1.23kg/d,乳脂率分别提高了0.03和0.39个百分点,乳蛋白率分别提高了0.01和0.05个百分点,体细胞数分别下降15.86万个/mL和14.63万个/mL,但差异均不显著(P>0.05);在泌乳前期的奶牛日粮中添加外源非淀粉多糖酶制剂具有促进奶牛泌乳、改善乳成分的趋势。     

酶菌复合制剂对奶牛生产性能和体细胞数的影响

本试验旨在研究酶菌复合制剂对奶牛生产性能和体细胞数的影响。选取年龄、胎次、泌乳天数及生理性状相近的荷斯坦奶牛240头,随机为成4组,每组6个重复,每个重复10头牛。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ组分别在基础日粮中添加0.5、1.0和1.5 kg/t的酶菌复合制剂,预试期10 d,正试期40 d,分别于试验第10、20、30、40天采集牛粪便,利用粪便分析筛对牛粪便组成进行分析。分别在试验第1、20、40天采集乳样,采用乳汁分析仪测定各组乳样中乳脂率、乳蛋白率、非脂固形物和奶中体细胞数（SCC）,试验期间记录每头牛平均日产奶量（ADMY）及平均日采食量（ADFI）。试验结果表明,添加酶菌复合制剂能够显著增加奶牛平均日产奶量（P<0.05）,提高牛乳中乳蛋白和乳脂肪含量（P<0.05）,降低体细胞数（P<0.05）,改善粪便结构。综合试验结果,酶菌复合制剂应用于奶牛养殖的最优添加量为1.0 kg/t,可以提高奶牛产奶量,降低牛体细胞数。     

过瘤胃氯化胆碱对奶牛生产性能的影响

选取40头健康荷斯坦泌乳盛期奶牛完全随机分为2组,每组20头。对照组牛群饲喂基础日粮,试验组牛群在基础饲料中添加20 g/（日.头）的瘤胃保护胆碱,分三次饲喂,瘤胃保护胆碱直接投喂于TMR日粮上。试验期60 d。测定了产奶量,牛奶中的乳脂率、乳蛋白、体细胞数。试验结果表明：在本试验的条件下,试验组牛群在基础饲料中添加20 g/（日.头）的瘤胃保护胆碱后,奶牛的平均产奶量显著提高了1.6%（P〈0.05）,乳脂率提高了0.06%（P〈0.05）;乳蛋白率、乳蛋白量、乳脂量、体细胞数均无显著差异（P〉0.05）。     

利用乳汁体细胞研究共轭亚油酸钙对奶牛乳腺基因表达的作用

8头泌乳中期的奶牛被随机分为2组，分别是对照组（每头牛：基础日粮＋棕榈酸钙200g／d）和试验组（每头牛：基础日粮＋共轭亚油酸钙200g／d），试验期14d，检测了奶产量、乳成分，分析奶牛的血液变化，并采用荧光定量PCR对乳汁体细胞中脂蛋白脂酶（LPL）、乙酰辅酶A羧化酶（ACACA）的基因表达进行检测。结果显示，与对照组相比，试验组奶牛的乳产量、乳蛋白、乳糖和乳汁体细胞含量没有显著影响，但是显著降低了乳脂肪含量（P〈0．05），对照组和试验组奶牛乳脂肪含量分别为0．0326g／mL和0．0244g／mL。检测血液指标发现，共轭亚油酸钙显著升高了奶牛血液中高密度脂蛋白的含量（P〈0．05）。基因分析发现，试验组奶牛乳汁体细胞中LPL、ACA—CA的基因表达显著下调，表明共轭亚油酸钙抑制了奶牛乳腺细胞脂肪酸合成酶的基因表达。     

Anti-inflammatory therapy in acute endotoxin-induced bovine mastitis

Acute mastitis was induced in lactating cows by intramammary challenge with 10 g of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. The cows were monitored clinically prior to and for 96 hours after challenge. Milk production, complete blood counts, serum enzyme activities and milk indicators of inflammation were evaluated.Endotoxin challenge was in 7 groups of 3 cows each. Within the groups, cows were randomly assigned to 3 intravenous treatments: saline controls, steroid (one dose of dexamethasone at 0.44 mg/kg) and non-steroidal agent (two doses of flunixin meglumine at 1.1 mg/kg, 8 h apart).Anti-inflammatory therapy reduced rectal and mammary gland surface temperatures. Milk production was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in cows treated with dexamethasone. Although dexamethasone treatment produced significant increases (p<0.05) in blood leukocytes and segmented neutrophils, milk somatic cell concentrations were not significantly altered. Flunixin meglumine did not alter milk production or blood or milk leukocytes.     

Effects of sequential treatments with eprinomectin on performance and grazing behaviour in dairy cattle under daily-paddock stocking management

To evaluate the effect of gastrointestinal parasites on grazing behaviour, herbage intake and milk production in spring calving dairy cows, 12 naturally infected control cows were compared with 12 similar animals treated on three occasions (June, July and September) with eprinomectin. The cows were blocked according to calving date, parity, live weight and milk yield during week 2 after turnout and then allocated to the treatments. The grazing area was sub-divided into two sets of 12 replicated paddocks of equivalent size and topography. Pairs of either control or treated animals were randomly assigned to graze each paddock over the duration of the study. Within each plot, the pair of cows grazed a series of 1-day paddocks, of areas calculated to provide 72 kg of herbage dry matter measured to ground level. Faecal samples were collected from each cow in April, prior to allocation, and every 28 days thereafter. Samples were submitted for counts of nematode eggs (sensitivity 1 epg) and the presence of Dictyocaulus viviparus larvae. Additional faecal samples were taken on each occasion for culture and nematode identification. Pasture samples for direct larval counts were collected at the same time as faecal sampling. Behaviour measurements on all cows were made during three periods, once before the first treatment with eprinomectin and thence after the 2nd and 3rd treatments. During each behaviour measurement period, grazing and ruminating behaviour were recorded over two 24-h periods and measurements of components of short-term intake rate were made during a morning and a late afternoon grazing meal. Milk yield was recorded daily and milk quality was recorded weekly. Live weight and body condition score were recorded on the day of allocation, the day of initial treatment and thereafter at weekly intervals until the end of the trial. The parasitological results showed low levels of faecal egg output throughout the study with group arithmetic means ranging from 0 to 6.8 epg. Faecal culture yielded predominantly larvae of the genus Ostertagia, but the following genera were also identified: Cooperia, Oesophagostomum and Trichostrongylus. Pasture larval levels were also low with peak values of 135 and 58 L3/kg DM herbage (7 August) in the paddocks grazed by the control and treated cattle, respectively. Thereafter, larval counts on paddocks grazed by treated cows declined to undetectable levels by October, while control paddocks remained at approximately 40 L3/kg DM. There was no effect of treatment on components of grazing or ruminating behaviour recorded over 24 h or on short-term intake rates. There were significant differences between components of short-term intake rates measured during the morning and afternoon grazing meals. The overall milk yield response to treatment with eprinomectin was +1.68 kg/day solids-corrected milk (SCM) (P=0.026). The overall response included significant (P<0.050) increases in mean daily SCM yield following each of the three treatments, indicating a positive response to repeated treatments at several different stages of lactation. There were no significant differences in the overall percentages of fat, protein or lactose between control and treated groups. The differences in live weight were not significant, although there was a consistent pattern throughout for the treated cows to be heavier than the controls.     

Impact of eprinomectin on grazing behaviour and performance in dairy cattle with sub-clinical gastrointestinal nematode infections under continuous stocking management

Forty spring-calving cows and heifers (20 of each) were allowed to acquire infection with gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes naturally during grazing. The control group (10 cows and 10 heifers) were compared with 20 similar animals treated with eprinomectin in order to evaluate the effect of GI nematodes on grazing behaviour, milk production, body condition score and live weight. The animals were paired according to parity and milk yield during the week prior to treatment, then within replicate pair randomly allocated to a different treatment group. The grazing area was sub-divided into 20 replicated paddocks of equivalent size and topography. Grazing pairs of either control or treated animals were randomly assigned to each paddock over the duration of the study (one pair per paddock). Grazing behaviour was recorded for both groups over a 10-day period commencing 4 days after treatment with eprinomectin. Milk yield was recorded daily and milk quality was recorded weekly. Live weight and body condition score were recorded on the day of allocation, the day of initial treatment and thereafter at weekly intervals until the end of the 4-week trial. Faecal samples were collected from each animal prior to, and after, allocation and submitted for counts of nematode eggs. Additional faecal samples were taken at the end of the study for culture and nematode identification. Individual faecal samples were also analysed for residual digestibility. Pasture samples for nematode larval counts were taken at the same time as faecal sampling. The parasitological results showed low levels of faecal nematode egg output throughout the study, with the heifers having higher counts than the cows. Faecal culture yielded species of Ostertagia, Cooperia, and Trichostrongylus. Pasture larval levels were very low throughout with no value exceeding 68 larvae/kg dry matter (DM) of herbage. There were significant (P < 0.05) effects of treatment on grazing time, eating time, total bites, total grazing jaw movements (TGJM), idling time and mean meal duration. Treated cows and heifers grazed for 47 and 50 min longer per day, respectively, than controls (P = 0.016). Mean meal duration was extended as a result of anthelmintic treatment by 11 and 38 min, in cows and heifers, respectively (P = 0.012). There were no significant (P > 0.05) treatment effects on ruminating time or residual faecal digestibility, but idling time was significantly reduced in both treated cows and heifers, by 50 and 110 min, respectively (P = 0.010). In the treated cattle, there was an increase in solids-corrected milk yield compared with the control cattle, which was significant (P < 0.05) in weeks 2 and 3 after treatment. The response was particularly marked in heifers, where the difference in yield between treated and controls was up to 2.35 kg/day. The differences in live weight gain and condition score over 28 days post-treatment were significant (P < 0.05) in both cows and heifers, in favour of the treated animals.     

过瘤胃甜菜碱对隐性乳房炎奶牛生产性能的影响

选择15头体细胞数在100万个/mL以上奶牛,随机分为3组,每组5头,分别在日粮中添加0g/d、18g/d和24g/d过瘤胃甜菜碱,研究其对隐性乳房炎奶牛产奶性能和体细胞数的影响。结果发现:对照组奶牛产奶量与试验前相比,下降了1.04kg,而试验组分别提高了0.52kg和0.88kg;乳脂率、乳蛋白等乳成分略有提高,但差异均不显著。添加过瘤胃甜菜碱组牛奶中体细胞数显著降低,与对照组相比,差异显著(P<0.05)。表明隐性乳房炎奶牛补饲过瘤胃甜菜碱,能够降低牛奶中体细胞数,提高奶牛产奶性能。     

复合菌培养物对奶牛产奶性能及体细胞数的影响

试验旨在研究日粮中添加复合菌培养物对奶牛产奶量、乳品质和体细胞数的影响。选择30头荷斯坦奶牛,分为对照组和试验组,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中添加复合菌培养物400 g/(头·d),试验期为37 d。测定指标包括产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率及体细胞数。结果表明,试验组奶牛产奶量比对照组增加6.84%(P>0.05);乳汁体细胞数下降率比对照组提高29.78%(P<0.05);两组奶牛乳脂、乳蛋白之间无明显差异(P>0.05)。本试验结果表明,复合菌培养物在降低体细胞数和改善奶牛产奶性能方面具有良好的效果。     

Performance and Economics of Dairy Cows Fed a Corn Silage-Based Total Mixed Ration or Grazing Annual Ryegrass During Mid to Late Lactation

Economic and performance characteristics of a low cost grazing system based on annual ryegrass vs a total mixed ration (TMR) for cows during mid through late lactation were evaluated. Cattle used in the trial (28 Holstein and 12 Jersey cows) were blocked by parity, lactation number, days in milk, projected mature equivalent milk yield, and current milk yield, and cows were assigned to two treatments in a randomized complete block design. For 10 wk (March through May 1998), cows either received a corn silage-based TMR or grazed annual ryegrass and received no supplemental concentrates. Changes in feed composition, milk yield, milk composition, BW, condition score, and income over feed costs were examined. Cows on Treatment 1 were fed the TMR twice daily and were housed together in a free-stall barn. Cows assigned to grazing were allowed ad libitum access to annual ryegrass in a rotational 12-paddock system. Loose mineral was provided for ad libitum consumption, but no supplemental concentrate was offered. Daily milk production by the TMR cows was consistent, ranging between 22.5 and 27.2 kg per cow throughout the study. By contrast, daily milk production of the grazing cows declined from 26.6 to 15.9 kg per cow as lactation progressed. Ryegrass grazing reduced milk fat content during wk 4 and 8 of the study and increased MUN content during wk 2 but had no effect on milk protein content or somatic cell count. The BW, body condition score, and estimated DMI of grazing cows were less than they were for TMR cows. Milk income for the grazing cows was less than that for the TMR cows throughout the study. However, feed cost for grazing cows was substantially lower than that for the TMR cows. Hence, income over feed cost (IOFC) was greater for grazing cows than for TMR cows in all but the last 2 wk of the study. These results indicated that annual ryegrass grazing was more profitable than feeding a TMR to cows in mid to late lactation. However, grazing cows did lose body condition, which could have a negative effect on milk production in the subsequent lactation.     

影响荷斯坦牛产奶量差的因素分析

产奶量差是奶牛个体同一胎次前后2个泌乳月产奶量的差值,可准确反映产奶量变化情况。为探究影响荷斯坦牛产奶量差的因素,本研究收集整理了江苏省某大型奶牛场2015-2018年55 193头次荷斯坦牛生产性能测定记录,并利用最小二乘法分析胎次、测定年度、产犊季节、泌乳月4个因素对荷斯坦牛产奶量差的影响。结果显示:胎次、测定年度、产犊季节、泌乳月及其交互作用对产奶量和产奶量差均有极显著影响(P<0.01)。其中,不同胎次、测定年度和产犊季节的荷斯坦牛总产奶量在第2个泌乳月增加最快,产奶量差为8.79kg;头胎第6泌乳月、二胎第7泌乳月和三胎及以上第6泌乳月产奶量下降最大,产奶量差分别为-2.86kg、-4.59kg和-6.13kg;2015-2018年4个测定年度中,第10、第6、第7、第6泌乳月产奶量降低最大,产奶量差分别为-2.26kg、-4.98kg、-4.44kg和-3.56kg;春季产犊的荷斯坦牛第4泌乳月、夏季产犊的荷斯坦牛第12泌乳月、秋季产犊的荷斯坦牛第9泌乳月、冬季产犊的荷斯坦牛第6或第7泌乳月产奶量下降最大,产奶量差分别是-4.34kg、-4.71kg、-5.36kg和-5.40kg。此外,产奶量差与泌乳持续力呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),与产犊间隔呈显著正相关(P<0.05),与泌乳天数、高峰奶、乳脂率、蛋白率、305d产奶量呈极显著负相关(P<0.01)。因此,产奶量差作为衡量奶牛产奶量变化的指标之一,可为牧场进行科学饲养管理提供参考。     

荷斯坦奶牛产奶量与乳成分的相关性研究

为探讨湖北地区荷斯坦奶牛产奶量、乳成分的相关性,本研究选择2016年湖北省3个牧场的DHI数据,运用SPSS17.0中的双变量相关分析和偏相关分析,分析产奶量与乳成分的相互关系。结果表明:3个牧场产奶量与乳脂率、乳蛋白率、体细胞数、乳尿素氮呈负相关(P0.01);乳脂率与乳蛋白率、体细胞数、乳尿素氮均呈正相关(P0.01);乳蛋白率与体细胞数呈正相关(P0.01),与乳尿素氮呈负相关(P0.01);体细胞数与乳尿素氮均呈负相关(P0.01);产奶量与体细胞数简单相关系数-0.003(P0.05),偏相关系数-0.054(P0.01);体细胞数与乳尿素氮含量简单相关系数0.003(P0.05),偏相关系数-0.134(P0.01)。在产奶量与乳成分间关系研究中简单相关分析与偏相关分析结果不一致,在多个变量相关性研究中,偏相关分析更能真实反映2个变量间本质联系。     

Feeding <Emphasis Type="Italic">Moringa oleifera</Emphasis> fresh or ensiled to dairy cows—effects on milk yield and milk flavor

Moringa oleifera, either fresh or ensiled, was compared with Elephant grass as a main feedstuff for dairy cows. To test the effects feed had on milk yield, milk composition, ration digestibility, and the organoleptic characteristics of milk, six lactating dairy cows were used in a Changeover 3 × 3 Latin Square experiment, replicated twice. With equal intake of metabolizable energy the intake of protein and fiber differed (p < 0.001) between all diets where fresh Moringa had the highest and the Elephant grass diet had the lowest intake. Compared with the control diet, ensiled Moringa had higher digestibility (P < 0.05) of both protein and fiber. With the exception of DM digestibility, no digestibility differences were found between fresh Moringa and Moringa silage treatments. Milk yield did not differ between any of the treatments and averaged 13.7 kg cow day⁻¹. Milk composition was similar among all treatments. Milk from the fresh Moringa treatment, however, had a grassy flavor and aroma, significantly different from the other two treatments, even though it was normal in color and appearance. No organoleptic differences were found between milk from the control treatment and the Moringa silage treatment. The conclusion is that Moringa silage can be fed to dairy cows in large quantities to produce the same quantity and quality of milk as traditional diets.     

Use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure bovine milk and serum antibodies to alpha toxin, beta toxin, and capsular antigens of Staphylococcus aureus

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedure was used to quantitate milk and serum antibodies (IgG) to Staphylococcus aureus alpha and beta toxins, and S. aureus 2-8 and Smith diffuse strain capsular antigens. Milk samples were collected on two occasions. A comparison was made between levels of milk antibodies specific for the two toxins and capsular antigens for 41 cows that were infected with S. aureus on both sampling dates, and 18 cows not S. aureus-infected on either date. Staphylococcus aureus-infected cows were grouped according to somatic cell counts. All groups of infected cows, regardless of somatic cell counts, had significantly higher milk antibody levels to alpha and beta toxins than did the non-infected cows (P less than .002). Serum samples taken for 13 infected and 4 non-infected cows also indicated that significant elevations in anti-alpha toxin and anti-beta toxin IgG were present in S. aureus-infected cows, compared to non-infected cows. A similar immune response was not seen to capsular antigens, however. No significant differences were present between the two groups of cows for either milk or serum antibodies to Smith diffuse strain capsular antigens. Milk antibodies to 2-8 capsule were significantly elevated only in infected cows with somatic cell counts greater than 10(6)/ml, compared to non-infected cows; no differences were present for serum antibodies to 2-8 capsule between infected and non-infected cows. These results indicate that significant increases in milk (and possibly serum) antibodies to alpha and beta toxins are present in cows with chronic staphylococcal mastitis, apparently resulting from a systemic immune response to these toxins. There does not appear to be a similar immune response to capsular antigens.     

复合酵母培养物对奶牛产奶性能、氮排放及血液生化指标的影响

为研究饲料中添加复合酵母培养物对奶牛产奶性能、氮排放及血液生化指标的影响,选取年龄、体重、产奶量及泌乳期相近(135±15) d的荷斯坦奶牛24头,随机分为4组,每个处理6个重复,对照组和3个试验组的复合酵母培养物添加量分别为精料浓度的0,0.8%,1.0%,1.2%,随精料饲喂,测定产奶量、乳成分、氮排放及血液生化指标,结果表明,1)试验2组日均产奶量显著高于对照组(P<0.05),各试验组分别比对照组提高8.48%,10.05%,8.97%。2)复合酵母培养物能显著提高乳脂和乳蛋白率(P<0.05),显著降低牛奶体细胞数(P<0.05),以试验2组最低。3)在氮排放量上,试验2组显著低于对照组(P<0.05),各试验组比对照组分别降低8.47%,12.01%,9.36%。4)在血液生化指标方面,复合酵母培养物能提高血清中总蛋白、球蛋白、血糖、胰岛素水平(P<0.05),降低尿素氮水平(P<0.05)。由此可见,本试验条件下,综合考虑产奶量、乳成分、氮排放及血液生化指标,复合酵母培养物的最佳添加量为精料浓度的1.0%。