Relation between biochemical parameters in the blood of cows and milk production

No differences in blood samples were found out when the biochemical parameters in arterial and venous blood of dairy cows were compared before and after milking. Negative correlation coefficient (r = -0.3460) approaching the significance level was determined by comparing the values for milk yield on the day of sampling (in ascending phase of lactation) and protein content in venous blood after milking, and significant negative correlation coefficient (r = -0.3813) for daily milk yield and gamma-globulin concentration in venous blood before milking. The relationship between butterfat content on the day of milking and the values of alkaline phosphatase can be characterized by significant up to highly significant negative correlation coefficients in all three blood samples (r = -0.3232 to -0.3908).     

Relation between the biochemical composition of the blood of cows and variations in milk production

A significantly lower alkaline phosphatase activity was recorded in the arterial blood of cows with higher milk efficiency. They also had higher sugar contents in their blood: highly significantly in arterial blood and significantly in venous blood after milking. As to the other blood components, the differences are low and insignificant. A significant positive relationship between the daily milk yield and the content of ash in blood (mainly in venous blood before milking), highly significant positive relationship between protein content in arterial blood and daily milk yield, and significant to highly significant negative relationship between the activity of alkaline phosphatase in arterial and venous blood before milking and the level of gamma-globulins in arterial blood were recorded in the group of cows with higher milk output. In the group of cows with lower milk production, significant to highly significant negative relationships were obtained between protein content in blood and the daily milk yield (in arterial and venous blood before milking).     

Correlation of blood and milk components with the milk yield response to bovine somatotropin in dairy cows

Our aim was to correlate the individual variation in the milk yield response (MYR) of Holstein dairy cows to bovine somatotropin (bST), with changes in milk plasmin and plasminogen activities as well as with plasma hormone and metabolite levels. Thirty-two housed multiparous Holstein cows (90 +/- 3.8 days post partum) received daily subcutaneous injections of saline for 1 week followed by subcutaneous injections of 20 mg/day of bST for 2 weeks. Blood samples were taken at approximately 4h intervals over 24 h at the end of the saline and bST treatment periods. Milk samples were also taken at the end of the saline and bST treatment periods. The difference in milk yield between the saline and the second week of bST treatment (MYR) varied considerably between animals (from -0.2 to +8.6 kg/day, relative to the saline treatment week). Low milk yield before bST treatment was associated with a high MYR. The plasma growth hormone response to treatment was negatively correlated with MYR. Plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 response to treatment was positively correlated with MYR. Furthermore, a high MYR to bST was associated with a lower milk plasminogen level before treatment and a greater reduction in the level of plasminogen in milk following treatment.     

Relation between milk production and biochemical indicators in high- and low-producing cows]

23 cows of the Holstein-Friesian breed during second lactation were used in the experiment. All animals were housed in one stable with tying. The blood was collected from each cow four times during first to third, fourth to sixth, seventh to ninth and above nine months of lactation. After 305 days of lactation, the milk cows were classified as with high (n = 14) and lower performance (n = 9), the limit value was 5000 kg of milk. The difference in milk production between groups was highly significant even during the period of the first 90 days (501 kg) and this difference increased for 305 days of lactation to 1538 kg (Tab. I); the dairy cows with high performance produced 6162 kg of milk per 305 days and that with the lower performance gave 4624 kg during the same period. Another significant differences occurred in the fat contents per kg and in the amount of milk converted on 4% fat content. During the first stage of lactation a slightly higher haemoglobine level was found in cows with high performance, the opposing results were obtained in another studies (Tab. II), the highest difference was recorded in the course of 7th to 9th month. The level of total protein was, except 7th to 9th month, always higher in cows of the first group. The difference was significant at the beginning of lactation. Insulin concentration (INS) exhibited identical tendency for the whole lactation--dairy cows with high milk production exhibited lower values, significant differences were recorded in the first observation at the beginning of lactation and in the period above 9 months. Similarly as in case of insulin, it is also in hormones of thyroid gland, the cows with high milk capacity had the lower values (Tab. III). The highest differences in triiodothyronine (T3) concentration were recorded in the second half of lactation, significance ranged from 7th to 9th month of lactation. In thyroxine content (T4), marked differences were recorded during the first and last observations, the difference was highly statistically significant during the seventh to ninth month of lactation. The levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) were higher for the whole experiment in animals with lower milk production. Tab. IV gives the correlation coefficient of different parameters between periods under study. Almost all parameters are in a close positive relation, the closest dependences were observed between second, third and fourth periods in hormones of thyreoidea. The most significances were recorded in adenosine monophosphate, thus confirming its stability of minimum variance between observations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The effects of one-time hoof trimming on blood biochemical composition, milk yield, and milk composition in dairy cows

Although not scientifically proven, hoof trimming has been empirically shown to increase milk yields in healthy dairy cows. In this study, we examined the effect of one-time hoof trimming on blood biochemical composition, milk yield, and milk composition in healthy dairy cows. Eleven cows in the mid to late lactation period that were clinically fit and without hoof disease were subjected to hoof trimming, and metabolic profile tests and dairy herd improving tests were performed before and three weeks after the hoof trimming. The metabolic profiles showed changes in albumin, blood urea nitrogen, ammonia, glucose, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid as a result of the hoof trimming. This was indicated by the fact that the cows began to intake more roughage after hoof trimming than prior to hoof trimming, and rumen fermentation became stable. There was no change in milk yield after trimming. However, the milk fat and milk protein compositions were significantly increased after trimming.     

Estimation of daily milk yield of Nellore cows grazing tropical pastures

Beef cows’ milk yield is typically determined by measuring milk yield once daily and then doubling this value to estimate daily production. However, it is not known whether this is accurate. Thus, we aimed to determine the association between morning and afternoon milk yield in grazing Nellore cows. Eighty Nellore cows were used, with initial weight of 516.0?±?1.0 kg. The experiment was a completely randomized factorial scheme, with 20 replications and four treatments (i.e., +?or ??pre-partum supplementation in combination with +?or ??post-partum supplementation): PRMM—1 kg of supplement/cow/day for 90 days pre-partum; MMPS—1 kg of supplement/cow/day for 90 days post-partum; PRPS—1 kg of supplement/cow/day for 90 days pre-partum and 90 days post-partum; and MM—only mineral mix ad libitum during pre- and post-partum. Milk was sampled on days 45, 135, and 225 post-partum (early, middle, and late lactation, respectively). No effects were observed of pre- and post-partum supplementation on milk yield (P?>?0.05). The afternoon/morning proportion of 0.45 in the early third of lactation was higher than other stages, which had a proportion of 0.41 (P?<?0.05). Post-partum supplementation increased milk protein in the morning and afternoon milking (P?<?0.05). There was also no effect of pre- and post-partum supplementation on afternoon-morning proportion other milk components (P?>?0.05). We conclude that estimating daily milk production of grazing beef cattle by multiplying a once daily milking amount times two is not accurate. Under the conditions of this study, proportion of total daily production represented by the ratio of afternoon/morning milking was 0.45 in early lactation (first third) and 0.41 in mid- and late lactation.     

泌乳初期奶牛乳成分与血液生化指标相关性研究

通过分析泌乳初期健康、酮病和低钙血症奶牛血液生化指标及乳成分,明确相关疾病的乳成分特征,同时对泌乳初期奶牛血液生化指标与乳成分相关性进行分析,以期为牛群健康评价提供方法支持。根据血液指标选取产后7~21d荷斯坦奶牛72头,分为亚临床低钙血症试验组、酮病试验组和健康对照组,每组各24头。采集试验奶牛的血液和乳汁用于血液生化指标与乳成分相关性分析。结果显示,酮病和低钙血症引起乳蛋白和非脂乳固体水平降低,而乳中柠檬酸的含量增加。奶牛乳中柠檬酸与血清NEFA、BHBA和GLU相关性方程分别为:y=3.192x-0.802,R~2=0.363;y=4.594x-0.793,R~2=0.320;y=1.228x+0.775,R~2=0.261;其中方程中x为乳中柠檬酸的含量。结果表明,乳中柠檬酸的含量与血液NEFA呈显著正相关,可用于能量负平衡的早期诊断标示物。血中BUN及ALB的水平可用于评价乳蛋白和尿素的水平。     

甜菜碱对山羊产奶量和血液生化指标的影响

当前甜菜碱作为一种添加剂广泛应用于动物饲料中。甜菜碱是胆碱的氧化产物,在很多重要的生理代谢过程中具有代替蛋氨酸的作用。本试验通过在Mur-ciano-Granadina奶山羊的饲料中添加甜菜碱来研究对其产奶量和血液生化指标的影响。从拥有250只Murciano-Granadina奶山羊的饲养场选择60只泌乳期山羊,尽量保持年龄和胎次(2.5胎)的一致性。将山羊分为2个处理,每个处理30只羊,处理1饲喂基础饲料,处理2在基础饲料中添加4g/kg甜菜碱(此处所用甜菜碱为无水甜菜碱)。结果显示,饲喂添加甜菜碱饲粮的山羊与对照组相比具有较高的乳脂含量(分别为5.2%、4.8%,P0.05),在产奶量上添加甜菜碱组与对照组之间显著差异不显著(平均为1.8kg/d)。血液甘油三酯含量不同组别存在显著差异,对照组甘油三酯含量为0.76mmol/L,添加甜菜碱组甘油三酯含量为0.48mmol/L(P0.05)。甜菜碱对山羊乳汁成分影响的作用机理需要进一步研究。     

包膜甜菜碱与有机铬复合物对夏季奶牛产奶性能和血液生化指标的影响

旨在研究包膜甜菜碱和有机铬复合物对夏季奶牛产奶性能和血液生化指标的影响。选择年龄、胎次、泌乳时间和产奶量相近100头泌乳牛,随机分为对照组和试验组,每组50头,对照组饲喂原奶牛场配方日粮,试验组在每天早晨TMR日粮中添加50 g/d包膜甜菜碱和有机铬复合物。结果:与对照组相比,试验组奶牛采食量显著提高(P<0.05),牛奶中体细胞含量显著降低(P<0.05);奶牛乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)含量显著提高(P<0.05);磷酸肌酸激酶(CPK)含量显著降低(P<0.01),谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)含量有上升趋势,丙二醛(MDA)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)含量有下降趋势,但差异均不显著。试验表明包膜甜菜碱和有机铬具有提高热应激期奶牛采食量、促进代谢和蛋白质合成、缓解奶牛热应激的作用。     

苜蓿添加量对高产奶牛泌乳性能和乳成分的影响

30头2～4胎的荷斯坦奶牛随机分为3组,各组产奶量、体质量、胎次和泌乳天数（DIM）差异不显著。3组奶牛日粮中苜蓿干草的添加量分别为2（对照）、4和6kg,相应的日粮干物质（DM）中粗蛋白含量分别为15．6％、17．2％和18．8％,各组间中性洗涤纤维（NDF）和产奶净能（NEL）含量相同,分别为37．4％和6．9MJ／kgDM。结果表明,在以苜蓿干草为主的奶牛日粮中提高粗蛋白含量能显著提高产奶量（P〈0．05）;干物质采食量（DMI）变化不显著（P〈0．05）,但有增加的趋势;乳脂率、乳蛋白、乳糖及干物质含量没有显著变化（P〈0．05）,在奶牛日粮中大量使用苜蓿干草并不增加日粮成本,可大幅度提高经济效益,6kg组与对照相比纯增效益最高。苜蓿干草在奶牛日粮中的适宜添加量为6kg。     

Relationship between fat accumulation in the liver and energy intake, milk fat yield and blood metabolites in dairy cows

In the present study, 42 multiparous Holstein cows were used to investigate the relationship between fat accumulation in the liver and dry matter intake, milk yield and blood metabolites. Based on the percentage of fat in the liver cell at 2 weeks post‐parturition, the cows were classified into three groups. These groups were: (i) less than 10% of fat (normal group, n = 29); (ii) 10–20% of fat (mild group, n = 6); and (iii) more than 20% of fat (moderate group, n = 7). The bodyweight of the moderate group was high (771 kg) before calving. The sufficiency rates of total digestible nutrients (TDN) were remarkably decreased (approximately 65%) in early lactation. The milk fat yield and milk fat composition of the moderate group were higher (P < 0.05) than the other groups at 1 and 2 weeks post‐parturition. It was suggested that non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) mobilized from adipose tissues was directly used by the mammary gland for synthesis of milk fat. The percentage of bromsulfalein (BSP) retention of the moderate group was high (21.1%) at 30 min, and it showed that the BSP clearance function was significantly decreased. The concentrations of NEFA, β‐hydroxybutyric acid and glucose were appropriate indicators of energy status; however, aspartate aminotransferase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase and total bilirubin were not sensitive indicators of a moderate fatty liver. Thus, high‐yielding cows that calve in an overweight condition are more likely to develop excessive fat accumulation in the liver because of great mobilization from adipose tissues post‐parturition. In cows with a moderately fatty liver, a decrease in TDN sufficiency rates, an increase of milk fat yield and a reduction of liver function were observed in early lactation. The increase of serum NEFA and milk fat composition resulting from mobilization of adipose tissues helped to diagnose moderate fatty liver.     

Relation between milk urea content and nitrogen excretion from lactating cows

Abstract

Thirty-two Chinese Holstein lactating cows were used to investigate the relationship of milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and nitrogen excretion loading to the environment. Cows were fed a similar amount of forage, and concentrates according to milk production. Total collection of urine and faeces were conducted continuously for three days. The milk urea nitrogen was significantly correlated to total nitrogen excretion (R ²=0.70), urinary nitrogen excretion (R ²=0.85), and nitrogen excretion from faeces (R ²=0.22). The following equation was proposed to predict total nitrogen excretion (TNE) (g/d) based on milk urea nitrogen (MUN) (mg/dl): TNE?=?15.46(±1.83)×MUN?+?193.40(±28.79). The results obtained in this study suggested that MUN might be used to predict TNE from lactating cows.     

Relation between stockperson behavior toward cows in a holding area and milk yields

To assess the effects of negative and positive behaviors on milk yields, this study examined the attitudes and behaviors of stockpersons toward their cows and milk yields at a farm where 15 workers milked 67 cows as rotating shift work. At a holding area when moving cows to the parlor, stockperson behaviors were observed at 34 milkings. Behaviors were classified as negative (NEG) or positive (POS): NEG were attempts to move cows using touching (NT), vocalization (NV), and gestures (NG); POS were communications without attempting to move cows, consisting of touch (PT) or vocalization (PV). Numbers of NV and NEG were negatively correlated with milk yields of first parity (p < .05). Average milk yields of first parity and all cows were higher when PT were observed (p < .001, p < .0001) and POS were observed (p < .001 and p < .0001). Numbers of PT were positively correlated with milk yields of first parity (p < .05). Average milk yields of second parity were higher when PV was observed (p < .01). Positive behaviors, especially touching, are related to higher herd milk yields. Negative behaviors such as negative vocalizations are related to lower yields of younger cows.     

Effects of malic acid on feed intake, milk yield, milk components and metabolites in early lactation Holstein dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of malic acid (MA) on feed intake, milk yield and composition, blood metabolites and energy balance in early lactation Holstein dairy cows from 1 to 63 day in milk (DIM). Twenty-eight multiparous Holstein dairy cows, blocked by lactation number, previous 305-d mature equivalent milk production, and expected calving date, were arranged into four groups in a randomized block design. Treatments were: control (without MA), LMA, MMA and HMA with 70, 140 and 210 g malic acid per cow per day, respectively. The supplement of food grade MA (99.8% of MA) was hand-mixed into the top one-third of the daily ration. Cows were fed ad libitum a total mixed ration consisting of equal proportion of forage and concentrate. Milk yield increased (P = 0.04), but feed intake and milk components were not affected (P > 0.05) by MA supplementation. The energy balance, expressed as the difference between energy input and output, tended to be higher (P = 0.08) for MA supplemented cows during the 63-DIM period MA and supplemented cows showed a trend (P = 0.07) toward less loss of BW during the 63-day period, especially during the first 21-day of lactation. Concentrations of plasma glucose and serum insulin were higher for cows fed LMA, MMA, and HMA relative to control and linearly (P < 0.01) increased with increasing MA supplementation. Concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and urine ketones were lower for MA-supplemented cows at 7, 14 and 21 DIM of lactation and linearly (P < 0.01) decreased with increasing MA supplementation. Although feed intake was not affected, milk yield increased, MA-supplemented cows experienced higher concentrations of plasma glucose and serum insulin, lower concentrations of plasma BHBA and NEFA, and lower concentrations of urine ketones, suggesting that nutrient digestibilities and energy availability may have been improved.     

Effect of lameness on milk yield in dairy cows

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between lameness and milk yield in dairy cows. DESIGN: Cohort study. ANIMALS: 531 dairy cows. PROCEDURE: Cows affected with lameness were classified into 1 of 3 groups on the basis of type of diseases or lesions observed, including interdigital phlegmon (foot rot), papillomatous digital dermatitis (foot warts), or claw lesions. Cows not affected with lameness were classified as healthy. From Dairy Herd Improvement Association records, 305-day mature equivalent milk yield data were collected at the end of lactation or when the cow left the herd. Milk yield was compared between cows affected with lameness and healthy cows. RESULTS: 167 (31%) cows were affected with lameness during lactation. Lame cows had claw lesions (60%), papillomatous digital dermatitis (31%), or interdigital phlegmon (9%). Milk yield in lame cows with interdigital phlegmon (mean, 17,122 lb) was significantly less, compared with healthy cows (19,007 lb). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this herd, interdigital phlegmon was associated with a 10% decrease in milk production. Lame cows with claw lesions or papillomatous digital dermatitis produced less milk than healthy cows, but the difference was not significant.     

Relation of the levels of mineral substances in the blood of cows, the quantity of milk and the fat content of the milk

No explicit relations to the milk yield on the day of sampling were found when studying the content of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium in the arterial and venous blood of cows before and after milking in the peak lactation period. However, there is a tendency of higher milk yields at higher phosphorus levels in the milk of the Black-Pied and higher-yielding cows. Some relations to milk fat content were found to be significant: a positive effect of phosphorus content in the blood of Slovak Spotted cows, a positive effect of calcium and magnesium content in the blood of more productive cows and a negative effect of magnesium content in the blood of less productive cows.     

Ketosis treatment and milk yield in dairy cows related to milk acetoacetate levels

Milk yield and milk acetoacetate (M-acac) were measured weekly for the first 6 weeks of lactation in 5 herds with a ketosis problem. Ketosis treatments and the corresponding ketotest score, were also recorded. The treatment rate was highest 7-16 days after calving. Most of these early cases were associated with low ketone levels in milk, whereas the treatment rate for cows with high ketone levels was highest 17-31 days after calving. Nearly half of the treated cows were low-ketone animals. They were classified as ketosis cases in the cow health card records, although probably suffering from other post partum disturbances in many instances. About 40% of the cows with high ketone levels recovered spontaneously. Reduction in milk yield associated with peak M-acac levels was transient and moderate. It was concluded that health card statistics overestimates the severity of the ketosis problem in Norway.     

Effects of feeding yeast and propionibacteria to dairy cows on milk yield and components, and reproduction*

To determine the effect of supplemental feeding of Diamond V-XP yeast (XPY) alone or in combination with propionibacteria strain P169 on milk production, milk components, body weight, days to first and second ovulation, plasma insulin, and plasma and milk glucose, 31 primiparous and multiparous (MP) Holstein cows were fed one of three dietary treatments between 2 weeks prepartum to 30 weeks postpartum: (i) control (n = 10), fed a corn silage-based total mixed ration (TMR); (ii) XPY (n = 11), fed control TMR plus XPY (at 56 g/head/day); and (iii) P169+XPY (n = 10), received control TMR plus XPY plus P169 (at 6 x 10(11) cfu/head/day). After parturition, daily milk weights were recorded, and milk samples were collected twice weekly for milk component analyses. Daily uncorrected milk, solids-corrected milk, and 4% fat-corrected milk production for MP cows fed P169+XPY was 9-16% greater than control MP cows, but these increases were only evident during mid lactation (9-30 weeks). The percentage of milk fat was 8-18% greater in control than XPY and P169+XPY groups. Milk lactose percentage in MP cows fed P169+XPY was 3-5% greater than in control and XPY MP cows. Primiparous and MP cows fed P169+XPY had 28-32% greater milk glucose levels than control and XPY-fed cows. Diurnal plasma glucose concentration was not affected by diet in MP cows. Plasma insulin levels in MP cows fed P169+XPY were 30-34% greater than in other groups of MP cows. Milk glucose and plasma insulin responses to P169+XPY feeding suggest that P169+XPY might have enhanced gluconeogenesis and increased glucose uptake by the mammary gland in Holstein cows. Thus, a combined feed supplement of P169 and XPY may hold potential as a natural feed alternative to hormones and antibiotics to enhance lactational performance.