Clinical relevance of pre‐ovulatory follicular temperature in heat‐stressed lactating dairy cows

Temperature gradients in female reproductive tissues seem to influence the success of key processes such as ovulation and fertilization. The objective of this study was to investigate whether pre‐ovulatory follicles are cooler than neighbouring uterine tissue and deep rectal temperatures in lactating dairy cows under heat stress conditions. Temperatures within the pre‐ovulatory follicle, on the uterine adjacent surface and 20 cm deep within rectum, were measured using fine thermistor probes within 45 min after sunrise (dawn). Cows were selected from synchronized groups for fixed‐time insemination during the warm period of the year. Five cows under direct sun radiation and 11 cows in the shade were included in the study. None of the cows in the sun area ovulated within 24 hr, whereas 10 of the 11 cows in the sun area ovulated. Four of the 10 ovulating cows became pregnant. In the ovulating cows, follicular temperatures were 0.74 and 1.54°C significantly cooler than uterine surface and rectal temperatures, respectively, whereas temperatures in the uterine area were 0.80°C significantly cooler than rectal temperatures. No significant differences among temperatures were found in non‐ovulating cows. Follicular size was similar for ovulating and non‐ovulating cows. Environmental temperatures in the shade area were 6.4°C significantly lower than those in the sun area. Results of this study indicate that pre‐ovulatory follicles are cooler than neighbouring uterine tissue and deep rectal temperatures and those temperature gradients were not found in cows suffering ovulation failure.     

Effects of rumen-degradable-protein to rumen-undegradable-protein ratio on nitrogen conversion of lactating dairy cows

Abstract

Fifteen multiparous dairy cows were used in a five replicated 3×3 Latin square design to study the effects of ratio of rumendegradable-protein (RDP) and rumen-undegradable-protein (RUP) on nitrogen (N) conversion in Chinese Holstein dairy cows. Three diets were formulated isonitrogenously with varying ratio of RDP/RUP. High ratio of RDP/RUP resulted in high urinary N excretion and total N excretion, but no significant dietary effects were observed on milk yield, milk composition, and nitrogen excretion in faeces. Different protein degradability changed the partitioning of the N excretion between urine and faeces. Results indicated that reduction in ratio of RDP/RUP could improve the efficiency of N utilization in lactating dairy cows by reduced N excretion in urine and faeces without impairing milk production.     

Predicting urinary nitrogen excretion by milk urea nitrogen in lactating Chinese Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between milk urea nitrogen (MUN, mg/dL) and urinary nitrogen (UN) excretion (UN, g/day) in lactating Chinese Holstein cows. Twelve mature lactating cows were divided into four groups by their days in milk and milk yield and fed four different crude protein levels diets (13.2, 14.1, 15.0 and 16.2%, dry matter (DM) basis) with a similar net energy content. The experiment was conducted according to a multiple 4 × 4 Latin square design. The entire length of the experimental periods was 56 days, each period consisting of 14 days with days 1–9 for adjustment and days 10–14 for the collection of urine and data. The crude protein content had significant effects on the MUN content and UN excretion (P < 0.01), but little effect on milk yield and composition (P > 0.05). There was a close relationship between MUN and UN excretion (P < 0.001). The following equations were established to predict UN (g/day) excretion based on MUN (mg/dL) in the lactating Chinese Holstein cows: UN = 10.07 × MUN + 47.29. The results obtained in this study suggested that MUN could be used as a parameter to estimate UN excretion, while the equations to predict UN based on MUN might be somewhat different due to the differences in breeds of cow.     

The effect of high ambient temperature on Ca,P and Mg balance and bone turnover in high‐yielding dairy cows

We investigated the effect of heat stress on Ca, P and Mg balance and bone turnover in lactating cows. In a 2 × 2 crossover design, four multiparous lactating Holstein cows were kept in a chamber and subjected to a constant moderate (18°C) ambient temperature (MT) or high (28°C) ambient temperature (HT). The cows were fed total mixed ration (Ca, 0.7%; P, 0.4%; Mg, 0.2%) ad libitum. The milk yield under HT (35.4 kg/day) tended to be lower (P < 0.10) than that under MT (43.2 kg/day). The concentrations of milk P (P < 0.05) and Mg (P < 0.01) were significantly lower under HT than MT. The Ca, P and Mg intake (P < 0.10); Ca (P < 0.10), P, and Mg (P < 0.05) secretion into milk; and Ca (P < 0.05), P (P < 0.01), and Mg (P < 0.05) absorption in the intestine were lower under HT than MT. The plasma osteocalcin, a marker of bone turnover, was significantly lower (P < 0.05) under HT than MT. Heat stress did not affect plasma C‐telopeptide of collagen type I, a bone resorption marker, and plasma parathyroid hormone concentration.     

Effects of high ambient temperature and restricted feed intake on urinary and plasma 3-methylhistidine in lactating Holstein cows

Three experiments were performed to examine the effects of high ambient temperature and feed restrictions on urinary 3‐methylhistidine (3MH) excretion and plasma 3MH concentrations as a marker of myofibrillar proteolysis in lactating Holstein cows. In a crossover design, four cows were maintained during two 14‐day treatment periods with ad libitum feed intake under constant moderate (18°C) or high (28°C) ambient temperature (Experiment 1), with ad libitum or 70% ad libitum feed intake under constant moderate temperature (Experiment 2), and with 70% ad libitum feed intake under constant moderate or high ambient temperature (Experiment 3). The total digestible nutrients intake was decreased (P < 0.01) under high ambient temperature (Experiment 1) or feed restriction (Experiment 2). Across experiments, urinary 3MH excretion during days 10–14 of each treatment period was not different among treatments. However, the plasma 3MH concentrations at day 14 of treatment were increased significantly under high ambient temperature with subsequent reduced feeding (P < 0.01) or moderate temperature with feed restriction (P < 0.05), and were increased slightly (P = 0.11) under high ambient temperature alone. These results show that the plasma marker of myofibrillar proteolysis in lactating dairy cows was increased at day 14 of treatments of high ambient temperature with subsequent reduced feeding, moderate temperature with feed restriction, or high ambient temperature alone.     

Effect of increased concentrate allotment before evening grazing on herbage intake,nitrogen utilization and rumen fermentation in dairy cows grazed on perennial ryegrass pasture

Two experiments were conducted to elucidate the effect of increased concentrate allotment before evening grazing on herbage intake, nitrogen utilization and rumen fermentation in dairy cows. In experiment 1, nine lactating cows were grazed in the morning and evening sessions (2.5 h each). The cows were allocated to treatments of three concentrate allotment levels before the evening grazing session by altering proportions to daily total offered; 25%, 50% and 75%. Daily herbage dry matter intake quadratically decreased with increasing the concentrate allotment levels (P < 0.05). Nitrogen utilization was similar among treatments. To investigate diurnal changes in rumen fermentation, a second experiment was conducted where six ruminally cannulated non‐lactating dairy cows grazed in the morning and evening sessions (3 h each) were subjected to the same treatments as experiment 1. Total volatile fatty acid concentration in the rumen linearly increased with increasing the concentrate allotment levels throughout the pre‐evening grazing session to the post‐morning grazing session (P < 0.01). The results indicate that dairy cows reduce daily herbage intake but do not alter nitrogen utilization with increasing concentrate allotment before evening grazing. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

Effects of stocking density on oxidative stress status and mammary gland permeability in early lactating dairy cows

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of stocking density (SD) on oxidative stress status and mammary gland permeability in early lactating dairy cows. Thirty‐two dairy cows were allocated into 16 blocks, basing on parity, previous milk yield, and body weight, and were then randomly assigned into one of the two treatments as follows: 75% (75SD) and 100% (100SD) SD. The cows were fed with same diet throughout the 8‐week experimental period. The milk yield and milk sample were collected on two consecutive days during the 8‐week experimental period weekly. Plasma samples were collected on fourth and eighth experimental weeks. Raw, energy‐corrected, and 4% fat‐corrected milk yield were significantly higher in 75SD‐cows than that of 100SD‐animals, respectively. The milk somatic cell count was lower in 75SD‐cows than that of 100SD‐animals. The levels of Na⁺, Na⁺/K⁺, bovine serum albumin and plasmin were lower in 75SD‐cows than those of 100SD‐cattle, respectively. The 75SD‐cows had reduced insulin and insulin/glucagon levels but higher prolactin and growth hormone concentrations, compared with those of 100SD‐animals, respectively. In conclusion, compared with low SD‐animals, early lactating cows with higher SD had higher oxidative stress status, which further led to a greater mammary gland permeability.     

Pharmacokinetic profile of Ceftiofur Hydrochloride Injection in lactating Holstein dairy cows

Ceftiofur (CEF), a broad‐spectrum third‐generation cephalosporin, exhibits a good activity against a broad range of gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria, including many that produce β‐lactamase. To design a rational dosage regimen for the drug in lactating Holstein dairy cows, the pharmacokinetic properties of ceftiofur hydrochloride injection were investigated in six cows after intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous administration of single dose of 2.2 mg/kg BW (body weight). Plasma concentration–time curves and relevant parameters were best described by noncompartmental analysis through WinNonlin 6.3 software. After subcutaneous administration, the absolute bioavailability was 61.12% and the T_1/2λz (elimination half‐life) was 8.67 ± 0.72 hr. The C_max (maximum plasma concentration) was 0.88 ± 0.21 μg/ml and T_max (the time after initial injection to when C_max occurs) was 1.50 ± 0.55 hr. The MRT (mean residence time) was 11.00 ± 0.30 hr. Following intramuscular administration, the C_max (1.09 ± 0.21 μg/ml) was achieved at T_max (1.20 ± 0.26 hr) with an absolute availability of 70.52%. In this study, the detailed pharmacokinetic profiles of free and total CEF showed that this drug is widely distributed and rapidly eliminated and may contribute to a better understanding of the usage of ceftiofur hydrochloride injection in Holstein dairy cows.     

日粮阴阳离子差在泌乳奶牛日粮中的应用

日粮阴阳离子差（DCAD）可调控家畜体内的酸碱平衡。近年来,由于其对泌乳奶牛生产性能的影响而越来越受到研究者的重视。文章就阴阳离子差的计算,阴阳离子差对泌乳奶牛干物质采食量、泌乳量和乳成分、瘤胃参数的影响,及对DCAD在我国泌乳奶牛日粮中的应用的展望作了综合阐述。     

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.     

Effects of high ambient temperature and restricted feed intake on nitrogen utilization for milk production in lactating Holstein cows

Three experiments were performed to examine the effects of high ambient temperature and feed restriction on nitrogen (N) utilization in lactating cows. Experiment 1 investigated N utilization in four cows fed ad libitum in a 2 × 2 crossover design under constant moderate (18°C) or high (28°C) ambient temperatures. The milk N secretion (P < 0.01) and protein concentration (P < 0.05) decreased under high ambient temperature. Experiment 2 investigated N utilization in four cows under constant moderate ambient temperature in a 2 × 2 crossover design with ad libitum or 70% ad libitum feed intake. The milk N secretion and protein concentration both decreased with feed restriction (P < 0.05). Experiment 3 investigated N utilization in four cows fed 70% ad libitum in a 2 × 2 crossover design under constant moderate or high ambient temperatures. The milk protein concentration decreased under high ambient temperature (P < 0.01). The milk N secretion tended to decrease under high ambient temperature (P < 0.10). Therefore, decreased N utilization for milk production at high ambient temperature is mainly caused by a reduced feed intake and the high ambient temperature itself.     

Nitrogen digestion and urea recycling in Hokkaido native horses fed hay‐based diets

Nitrogen (N) digestion and urea‐N metabolism in Hokkaido native horses fed roughage‐based diets containing different types and levels of protein sources were studied. Horses (173 ± 4.8 kg) fitted with an ileum cannula were fed four diets consisting of 100% timothy hay (TH), 88% TH and 12% soybean meal (SBM), 79% TH and 21% SBM, and 51% TH and 49% alfalfa hay at 2.2% of body weight. Dietary protein content varied from 5% to 15% of dry matter. Apparent N digestibilities in the pre‐cecum and total tract for the TH diet were lower than those for other diets. However, the proportion of post‐ileum N digestion to N intake was not affected by the diets. Urea‐N production was linearly related to N intake, but gut urea‐N entry was not affected by the diets. The proportion of gut urea‐N entry to urea‐N production tended to be higher for the TH diet (57%) than the two SBM diets (39%). Anabolic use of urea‐N entering the gut was not affected by the diets (20–36% of gut urea‐N entry). These results indicate that urea‐N recycling provides additional N sources for microbial fermentation in the hindgut of Hokkaido native horses fed low‐quality roughages.     

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.     

Feed‐derived volatile basic nitrogen increases reactive oxygen species production of blood leukocytes in lactating dairy cows

The present study investigated over 9 months the changes of fermentative quality of total mixed rations (TMR) containing grass silage (GS) as a major component, associated with changes in the volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) levels in an experimental dairy farm. Effects of VBN levels in TMR on metabolic parameters, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and conception rates for dairy cows were analyzed. According to VBN levels in TMR during survey periods, three distinct phases were identified; phase A with low VBN; phase B with high VBN; and phase C with mid‐VBN. Metabolic parameters in blood were all within normal range. However, during phases B and C, nitrogen metabolic indices such as blood urea nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen showed higher levels compared to those in phase A, and a simultaneous increase in ROS production by blood PMNs and the load on hepatic function in metabolic parameters was observed in the cows with a lower conception rate. This suggests that feeding TMR with elevated VBN levels due to poor fermented GS results in stimulation of ROS production by PMNs by ammonia, and negatively affects metabolism and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cow.     

柴胡提取物对热应激奶牛生产性能和血液代谢的影响

为了研究日粮中添加不同剂量的柴胡(Radix bupleuri)提取物对热应激奶牛生理指标、生产性能和血液代谢的影响,采用完全随机区组试验设计,根据产奶量、泌乳天数、胎次将48头健康的泌乳后期荷斯坦奶牛随机分为4组,每组12头,在基础日粮中分别添加0、0.5、2.5、5.0g·kg~(-1)的柴胡提取物,试验期10周。结果表明,添加柴胡提取物对直肠温度、采食量、产奶量、乳蛋白产量和体细胞评分呈二次方程的影响(P0.05),采食量、产奶量和乳蛋白产量在0.5g·kg~(-1)添加水平时数值最大,直肠温度和体细胞评分在0.5g·kg~(-1)添加水平时数值最小。随着柴胡提取物添加剂量的增加,乳尿素氮、乳脂率、总固形物和血液中白蛋白、尿素氮、总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和β-羟丁酸浓度均线性降低(P0.05),甘油三酯浓度线性增加(P0.01)。与对照组相比,2.5和5.0g·kg~(-1)组的血浆尿素氮浓度显著增高(P=0.05),5.0g·kg~(-1)组的总胆固醇和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇浓度显著高于对照组和0.5g·kg~(-1)组。因此,本研究建议柴胡提取物在热应激奶牛上的适宜用量为0.5g·kg~(-1),低于5.0g·kg~(-1)的剂量为安全用量。     

Effect of seasonal thermal stress on oxidative status,immune response and stress hormones of lactating dairy cows

This study aimed to assess the impact of seasonal thermal stress on oxidative stress, immune response, and stress hormones of lactating dairy cows in subtropical regions with different levels of temperature-humidity index (THI). A total of 32 healthy lactating Holstein dairy cows experienced 4 seasons (8 cows/season). The physiological parameters were categorized into low THI (LTHI, THI = 42.97 ± 0.95) in winter, moderate THI (MTHI, THI = 61.84 ± 0.42) in spring and autumn, and high THI period (HTHI, THI = 86.09 ± 0.23) in summer. The blood samples were collected twice in each season to measure oxidative stress, inflammatory and hormonal parameters. Our results showed THI had a positive correlation with the rectal temperature (R² = 0.821, P < 0.001) and respiratory rate (R² = 0.816, P < 0.001). Dry matter intake, milk yield and fat percentage also significantly differed among groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the MTHI group, the LTHI group exhibited a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level (P < 0.001), and the HTHI group displayed a significant increase in levels of cortisol, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.001). Opposite changes in serum endotoxin and immunoglobulin G levels were observed with the increasing THI (P < 0.001). LTHI notably increased the triiodothyronine level, although the thyroxine level was reduced by LTHI and HTHI compared with the MTHI group. In conclusion, LTHI and HTHI conditions may induce different degrees of oxidative stress, inflammation response, and stress hormone imbalances on lactating dairy cows, therefore environmental management is necessary for the health of dairy cows in extreme weather conditions.     

仙人掌果实对奶牛泌乳性能、氮利用及采食行为的影响

本研究评估了仙人掌果实与不同粗饲料结合对荷斯坦奶牛采食量、营养物质消化率、氮平衡、摄食行为和泌乳性能的影响。试验选择泌乳期为(72±11)d的8头奶牛,采用4×4拉丁试验设计,共4种试验日粮:T1组为75%青贮高粱组,T2组为75%象草组,T3组为37.5%青贮高粱+37.5%仙人掌果实,T4组为37.5%象草+37.5%仙人掌果实。结果:青贮高粱组干物质摄入量最高(P<0.05)。不同日粮组干物质、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、非纤维碳水化合物和总可消化养分摄入量存在显著差异(P<0.05)。仙人掌果实组较青贮高粱和象草组日饮水量降低44.52%(P<0.05)。与象草组、象草+仙人掌果实组相比,青贮高粱组、青贮高粱+仙人掌果实组氮平衡降低59.71%和27.49%(P<0.05)。结论:奶牛日粮中以仙人掌果实与青贮高粱或象草的组合并没有改变荷斯坦奶牛的产奶量,但降低了营养物质和水分摄入量,同时提高了养分消化率。     

Hair cortisol levels of lactating dairy cows in cold‐ and warm‐temperate regions in Japan

We compared the hair cortisol levels of lactating dairy cows in a cold‐ and a warm‐temperate region out of four climatic zones in Japan. We simultaneously investigated the effects of calving number, lactation period and month of hair sampling. Hair of nine Holstein lactating cows chosen from each region (i.e. 18 cows per sampling) was sampled in March, June, September and December. Number of calvings (1, 2, ≥3) and lactation duration (early: <100, middle: 101–200, and late: >201 days) were balanced between regions. Cortisol was extracted from hair by methanol, and its level was determined with a cortisol immunoassay kit. A multi‐way analysis of variance revealed that the effects of month of hair sampling (P < 0.001) and its combination with region (P < 0.05) were significant. In a multiple comparison test, significant differences (P < 0.01) in hair cortisol level (pg/mg of hair) were found between June (13.0 ± 1.0) and the other 3 months, and between September (1.6 ± 0.2) and December (4.5 ± 0.3). The rise in cortisol level from March to June was more intense in the cold‐temperate region. These results demonstrate the necessity of considering seasonal variations in each climatic region when we use hair cortisol level as an indicator of stress.     

植物精油对泌乳期奶牛生产性能养分消化、瘤胃发酵及氮平衡的影响

本研究以泌乳期奶牛为研究对象,研究全混合日粮中补充植物精油对其养分摄入量、表观消化率、瘤胃发酵及氮和能量平衡的影响.试验将泌乳性能一致的16头荷斯坦奶牛随机分为2组,每组8个重复,每个重复1头牛.对照组饲喂基础全混合日粮,处理组饲喂基础全混合日粮+150 mg/kg植物精油,试验为期7周.结果:植物精油组奶牛干物质、有...     

日粮类型对奶牛粪尿特性及氮排放的影响

通过研究不同类型日粮对泌乳奶牛粪尿及氮排放的影响,达到减少和控制氮排放的目的,本试验选用12头体重514 kg、年龄3～5岁的中国荷斯坦奶牛为试验动物,分为3组,分别饲喂粗料为干秸秆玉米,精粗比40∶60的A日粮、粗料为玉米青贮,精粗比分别是40∶60和60∶40的B和C日粮进行了对其粪尿特性及氮排放的试验研究。结果表明,日粮类型对奶牛粪便及尿液产生量均有一定的影响。粪便产生量结果为秸秆型A日粮>青贮型低精比B日粮>青贮型高精比C日粮。3种日粮的尿液产生量为C日粮>B日粮>A日粮。同时,日粮类型对奶牛氮平衡具有显著的影响,秸秆型日粮的乳氮、尿氮含量和氮的消化率极显著低于青贮型日粮低(P<0.01),粗料均为青贮玉米条件下,随日粮精料水平的提高,氮消化率和尿氮极显著增加(P<0.01),粪氮和乳氮增加不显著(P>0.05)。结果提示,秸秆型日粮的摄入氮主要是从粪中排出,粗料为青贮玉米时,随日粮精料水平的提高粪氮比例减少,而尿氮比例增加,粪氮和尿氮占总粪尿氮的比例基本一致。