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Effect of feeding pregnant and non-lactating dairy cows a supplement containing a high proportion of non-structural carbohydrates on post-partum production and peripartum blood metabolites

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Ten pregnant heifers and 26 dry multiparous cows, 4 weeks before their expected parturitions, were blocked according to parity, BCS (body condition score) and BW (body weight) into two treatments: (1) control – cows fed until parturition with free choice of oat hay and 3kg DM (dry matter) per day of a lactating cow diet, and (2) treatment – cows were fed as the control plus 0.75kg (as fed, 860g/kg DM) of a supplement containing 410g/kg of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) and 760g/kg total carbohydrates. Post-partum, both groups were fed the same lactation diet (168g/kg CP and 7.27MJL/kg DM). The mean live-weight of the treatment cows 2 days post-partum was 22.0 ± 9.2kg higher than control cows (P < 0.01). Mean daily milk and milk fat production during the first 120 days of the subsequent lactation were 38.5 and 36.9kg (P < 0.0003) and 33.1 and 30.4g/kg (P < 0.0004) for the treatment and control cows, respectively. Feeding a supplement containing a high proportion of NSC to dry cows reduced plasma glucose concentrations both pre-partum (P < 0.06) and post-partum (P < 0.01), and increased plasma insulin pre-partum (P < 0.04) and decreased it post-partum (P < 0.03) as compared with control cows. Pre-partum plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were enhanced (P < 0.04), and triglycerides reduced (P < 0.04), in the treatment cows with no post-partum differences. Pre-partum feeding with a supplement containing a high proportion of NSC can produce long term changes in metabolism with enhanced BW at parturition and increased milk and milk fat production through 120 days of the subsequent lactation.

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... Subclinical ketosis is considered a predisposing factor for other metabolic and infectious diseases such as hysteritis, mastitis, and clinical ketosis, which cause significant economic damage in the dairy industry (Xu et al., 2016;Viña et al., 2016). In addition to the effects on disease events, subclinical ketosis has been found to decrease milk yield in early lactation (Mcart et al., 2012) and may adversely affect reproduction. However, subclinical ketosis has no obvious clinical symptoms, is difficult to prevent and diagnose, and is harmful to the health of dairy cows. ...
... The average value of AST for prepartum cows in this study was 70.37 U/L, comparable to that reported by Moallem et al. (2004). The average AST of postpartum dairy cows reached 113.2 U/L, which was significantly higher than that of prepartum cows. ...
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Ketosis can seriously impair cow performance. This study detected changes in prepartum blood metabolic parameters for predicting postpartum ketosis occurrence in dairy cows. Body condition score (BCS) was assessed before and after delivery. Blood samples of 63 cows were collected from 10 days before calving to 10 days after calving to measure metabolic parameters including β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), glucose (GLU), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLO), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). There was a postpartum subclinical ketosis incidence of 42.25%. Compared with prepartum, plasma, levels of BHBA, AST, and NEFA significantly increased postpartum, and prepartum AST (R=0.57) and NEFA (R=0.45) showed a significant positive correlation with ketosis postpartum. Plasma GLU level significantly decreased postpartum and was significantly negatively correlated with ketosis (R=-0.21). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed prepartum BSC < 2.88, and prepartum plasma AST > 68.0 U/L, GLU < 3.97mmol/L, NEFA > 0.27mmol/L, and BHBA > 0.43mmol/L, indicating a high risk of subclinical ketosis postpartum. These levels can be used as risk indicators to predict the occurrence of subclinical ketosis in postpartum cows.
... Among the energy metabolites, BHB appears more effective than NEFA because NEFA sensitivity according to Mäntysaari et al. (1999) is early (1 week) but BHB is late (3 to 4 weeks). The BHB is low at dry and increases linearly in postpartum particularly in cows' with low-level food, while NEFA attain a peak at the first week and tend to decrease thereafter (Moallem et al., 2004). Perhaps this lag time exists because NEFA provide the substrate for BHB synthesis. ...
... However, Singh et al. (2009) andMsangi et al. (2005) noted that milk yield in peak and duration of lactation in high producing were higher among those with better body condition at dry. Moreover, Moallem et al. (2004) reported that pre calving supplementation increased milk production in subsequent lactation by 2kg/d but also fat content (3g/l). However, post-partum supplementation can correct the negative energy balance, resulting in the low loss of BC and lower rates of BHB and NEFA ( Wang et al., 2009). ...
... Among the energy metabolites, BHB appears more effective than NEFA because NEFA sensitivity according to Mäntysaari et al. (1999) is early (1 week) but BHB is late (3 to 4 weeks). The BHB is low at dry and increases linearly in postpartum particularly in cows' with low-level food, while NEFA attain a peak at the first week and tend to decrease thereafter (Moallem et al., 2004). Perhaps this lag time exists because NEFA provide the substrate for BHB synthesis. ...
... However, Singh et al. (2009) andMsangi et al. (2005) noted that milk yield in peak and duration of lactation in high producing were higher among those with better body condition at dry. Moreover, Moallem et al. (2004) reported that pre calving supplementation increased milk production in subsequent lactation by 2kg/d but also fat content (3g/l). However, post-partum supplementation can correct the negative energy balance, resulting in the low loss of BC and lower rates of BHB and NEFA ( Wang et al., 2009). ...
Article
This study aimed to investigate the correlation between body condition score (BCS), blood biochemical metabolites, milk yield (MY) and quality (Mfat) in Montbéliarde cattle (31 cows) reared in 5 farms of Algerian semi arid area. The BCS was measured in dry and peak of lactation (6 weeks after calving). Blood samples were taken at the time of body condition (BC) measurement for determination of energy (Glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and B-Hydroxybutyrate), nitrogen (urea and albumin) and mineral (calcium) metabolites. Milk yield was recorded in the 6th week of lactation (peak). A sample of milk for each cow was used to determinate milk fat, density and acidity. The results showed a significant decrease in postpartum BCS accompanied by an increase in cholesterol and B-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration. The correlation analysis showed that BHB concentration in pre calving was negatively correlated with BCS (r=-0.321; P<0.05) and cholesterol (r=-0.308; P<0.05). In postpartum, BCS was negatively correlated with cholesterol (r=-0.416; P<0.05), urea (r=-0.366; P<0.05) and BHB (r=-0.487; P<0.05). However, the level of milk production decreased significantly with high glucose (r=-0.449; P<0.05) and BHB (r=-0.514; P<0.05). The fat content increased significantly with blood triglycerides (r=0.681; P<0.05) and BHB (r=0.522; P<0.05) concentration, indicating a high mobilization of body reserves used for the synthesis of milk fat. In conclusion, it can be assumed that the rate of BHB seems to be the best indicator of the nutritional status of dairy cows that determines their production level and quality. Key words: Body condition, Blood metabolites, Milk fat, Milk yield, Montbéliarde cattle
... However, supplementing beet pulp 50% with 4% fat as tallow resulted in 5.8% increase in FCM [42]. Later on many workers have reported similar findings and inferred that SBP is responsible for an increase in milk fat when replaced with grain [101,60,96,55,81]. This lipogenic effect of beet pulp feeding Studies related to effect of beet pulp effect on the milk protein is still very indefinite, some studies reported an increased [37] some reported decreased [57,81] while some reported to have no effect [102,92] on milk protein. ...
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With the advent of increased milk production and scarcity of energy rich feed and fodder mainly during lean period is one of the major constraints for sustainable dairy development in India. Beneficial and nutritional value of sugar beet in one side and the rising competitiveness of feed grains with human consumption, other side created a massive scope for sugar beet feeding worldwide. Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a promising high yielding summer crop that can be grown well in the tropical and subtropical parts of India. It has several advantages over traditional fodder crops that it can tolerate the soil salinity up to 5 eCE, rich in stored carbohydrate in the form of sugar, all of its part contribute in animal feeding, can be conserved for longer period by making silage. Earlier, inspite of enriched quality, its higher sugar content than starch made it a burning topic of concern and least popular and acceptable among farmers due to the possibility of decrease in ruminal pH, hindrance in fiber digestibility and interference in microbial population but if little analytical value of sugar when rejected found to partially replace the feed grains and could support the production. Therefore, cultivation of sugarbeet with full package of practice and better utilization of its byproduct as cattle feed may help in overcoming the problem of shortage of feed and green fodder in summer season and could be a potential alternative energy source feed for cattle in India.
... Van Keulen and Young, 1977 . Dann et al., 2007;Moallema et al., 2004;Poláková et al., 2010 ( Clark and Armentano, 1997;Voelker and Allen, 2003a ...
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This study examined the effect of replacing dietary beet pulp with (BP) with barley in the diet of lactating cows on energy balance, feed intake, digestibility and feeding behavior during the transition period. 24 multi-parity Holstein cows, within 28 d relative to parturition up to day 24 of lactation were tested. Cows were assigned randomly to three dietary treatments containing before and after calving, respectively, were as follows: 1) Control (100% barley), 2) 75% barley +25% BP, and 3) 50% barley + 50% BP. During the pre and postpartum period, daily feed intake and energy intake was highest in 25% BP treatment (P < 0.0001). Dry matter intake as percentage of BW was highest in 50 and 25% beet pulp (P < 0.0001) before and after calving, respectively. Apparent digestibility of nutrients were not significantly different between treatments before and after calving. In postpartum, ruminal pH was lowest in cows fed control diets (P > 0.05). Before calving, cows sorted in favor of large particles (>19.0 mm) (P < 0.05) and against of short particles (>1.18 mm) (P < 0.01) when fed diets without BP (Control). Our results indicate that replacing 25% barley with BP in diets of transition cows improved performance and rumen health.
... In this study, the mean activity of AST was 89 U/L in the control group. This result was close to that reported by Moallem (Moallem et al. 2004). AST exists primarily in mitochondria. ...
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Fatty liver syndrome and ketosis are important metabolic disorders in high-producing cows during early lactation with fatty liver usually preceding ketosis. To date, parameters for early prediction of the risk of ketosis have not been investigated in China. To determine the predictive value of some parameters on the risk of ketosis in China. In a descriptive study, 48 control and 32 ketotic Holstein Friesian cows were randomly selected from one farm with a serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentration of 1.20 mmol/L as cutoff point. The risk prediction thresholds for ketosis were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. In line with a high BHBA concentration, blood glucose concentration was significantly lower in ketotic cows compared to control animals (2.77 ± 0.24 versus 3.34 ± 0.03 mmol/L; P = 0.02). Thresholds were more than 0.76 mmol/L for nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA, with 65% sensitivity and 92% specificity), more than 104 U/L for aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 74% and 85%, respectively), less than 140 U/L for cholinesterase (CHE, 75% and 59%, respectively), and more than 3.3 µmol/L for total bilirubin (TBIL, 58% and 83%, respectively). There were significant correlations between BHBA and glucose (R = -4.74), or CHE (R = -0.262), BHBA and NEFA (R = 0.520), or AST (R = 0.525), or TBIL (R = 0.278), or direct bilirubin (DBIL, R = 0.348). AST, CHE, TBIL and NEFA may be useful parameters for risk prediction of ketosis. This study might be of value in addressing novel directions for future research on the connection between ketosis and liver dysfunction.
... The current study is in agreement with other studies that observed an increase in milk fat percentage after feeding more lipogenic nutrients (Grum et al., 1996;Moallem et al., 1999). In several studies (Voelker and Allen, 2003a;Moallem et al., 2004;Van Knegsel et al., 2005;Mahjoubi et al., 2009), replacing grain with BP resulted in an increase in milk fat yield. Al-Trad et al. (2009) has shown that the rate of glucose entry can affect milk composition in dairy cows. ...
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The objective of this study was to determine the effect of partial replacement of barley grain with beet pulp (BP) on dry matter intake (DMI), ruminal fermentation, plasma concentration of metabolites and milk yield of transition dairy cows. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows [735 ± 26 kg of body weights and 3.5 ± 0.05 of body condition score (BCS)] were used in a randomized complete block design. Cows were assigned randomly on day 28 relative to expected parturition date to one of three treatments containing (i) 0% BP, (ii) 25% BP or (iii) 50% BP substituted for barley grain on a DM basis. During the pre-partum period, DMI and energy intake were greater (P < 0.01) in cows fed the BP diet compared with cows fed the barley grain diet. During the post-partum period, substituting BP for barley grain caused a response in DMI and energy intake, with the highest amount for the 25% BP diet and lowest for the 50% BP diet (P < 0.01). Milk yield was lowest (P < 0.01) for 50% BP diet than the other treatments. During the post-partum period, cows fed the 50% BP diets had greater rumen pH, molar proportion of butyrate and acetate: propionate ratio (P < 0.01) in the rumen compared with cows fed the 0% BP diets. In addition, cows fed the BP diets had greater (P < 0.01) plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and lower plasma glucose (P < 0.05) and blood urinary nitrogen (BUN) (P < 0.01) concentrations than cows fed the barley grain diets. Results showed that substituting BP for barley grain was effective in increasing DMI, but it did not have a significant effect on net energy balance during the post-partum period. However, replacing BP for barley grain at 50% had adverse effects on DMI, milk yield and metabolic status, as indicated by key blood metabolite concentrations. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
... Os valores médios das concentrações de GGT em ambos os grupos apresentaram valores de acordo com os padrões fisiológicos, indicando que não houve lesão hepática, já que se trata de enzima que é verificada no plasma quando ocorre lesão celular (FERRE et al., 1996). Por sua vez as médias de AST também mantiveram-se dentro de padrão fisiológico, sendo que valores semelhantes foram verificados por diversos autores (MOALLEM et al., 2004). ...
... Among the energy metabolites, BHB appears more effective than NEFA because NEFA sensitivity according to Mäntysaari et al. (1999) is early (1 week) but BHB is late (3 to 4 weeks). The BHB is low at dry and increases linearly in postpartum particularly in cows' with low-level food, while NEFA attain a peak at the first week and tend to decrease thereafter (Moallem et al., 2004). Perhaps this lag time exists because NEFA provide the substrate for BHB synthesis. ...
Article
Full-text available
This study aimed to investigate the correlation between body condition score (BCS), blood biochemical metabolites, milk yield (MY) and quality (Mfat) in Montbéliarde cattle (31 cows) reared in 5 farms of Algerian semi arid area. The BCS was measured in dry and peak of lactation (6 weeks after calving). Blood samples were taken at the time of body condition (BC) measurement for determination of energy (Glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and B-Hydroxybutyrate), nitrogen (urea and albumin) and mineral (calcium) metabolites. Milk yield was recorded in the 6 th week of lactation (peak). A sample of milk for each cow was used to determinate milk fat, density and acidity. The results showed a significant decrease in postpartum BCS accompanied by an increase in cholesterol and B-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration. The correlation analysis showed that BHB concentration in pre calving was negatively correlated with BCS (r=-0.321; P<0.05) and cholesterol (r=-0.308; P<0.05). In postpartum, BCS was negatively correlated with cholesterol (r=-0.416; P<0.05), urea (r=-0.366; P<0.05) and BHB (r=-0.487; P<0.05). However, the level of milk production decreased significantly with high glucose (r=-0.449; P<0.05) and BHB (r=-0.514; P<0.05). The fat content increased significantly with blood triglycerides (r=0.681; P<0.05) and BHB (r=0.522; P<0.05) concentration, indicating a high mobilization of body reserves used for the synthesis of milk fat. In conclusion, it can be assumed that the rate of BHB seems to be the best indicator of the nutritional status of dairy cows that determines their production level and quality.
... In fact, the same result was reported by Bastin et al. (2010) in Canada but in Czech Republic Maršálek et al. (2008) report that in Holstein the minimum value was obtained at the 3 rd month of lactation. This reduction in the BC was usually accompanied by a decrease in plasma triglycerides (Moallem et al., 2004), T4, T3, IGF-I and leptin (Gamez-Vazques et al., 2008; Meikle et al. 2004) and high concentration of NEFA (Rukkwamsuk 2010; Giuliodori et al. 2011), BHB (Wathes et al., 2007), cholesterol (Mouffok et al, 2011), and increased risk of infertility and health problems (Waltner et al 1993). Differences in BC profiles were recorded between calving season and age of females. ...
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This study aimed to determine the relationships between body condition score (BCS) and its change around calving and the reproduction traits. A total of 220 Montbeliard dairy cows reared in four farms whose level of breeding proficiency is acceptable were included in this study. Body condition (BC) in dry and postpartum period was assessed monthly on a scale of 1 to 5. Eight reproductive parameters were recorded or calculated. The results show a significant decrease (p<0.001) of BCS from dry period (3.40 points) to the 2 nd month of lactation (2.86 points). Reproductive parameters evaluated at 63, 90 days respectively for the intervals from calving to first insemination and conception shows a good command of the reproduction conduct. A complementary analyzes show a relationship between BC before calving and all reproductive parameters (p<0.001). The best records are observed in cows with BC at dry ranged from 3 to 3.5 points. The differences are equivalent to one estrous cycle (19 days) for reproduction intervals and 20%, 19% and 9% on pregnancy rates at 60, 90 and 120 days respectively. The postpartum body condition affects only the pregnancy rate at 60 days (p <0.05) against the level of post-partum loss of BC poses no significant effect (p> 0.05).
... Os valores médios das concentrações de GGT em ambos os grupos apresentaram valores de acordo com os padrões fisiológicos, indicando que não houve lesão hepática, já que se trata de enzima que é verificada no plasma quando ocorre lesão celular (FERRE et al., 1996). Por sua vez as médias de AST também mantiveram-se dentro de padrão fisiológico, sendo que valores semelhantes foram verificados por diversos autores (MOALLEM et al., 2004). ...
Article
p class="MsoNormal"> The objective was aimed at with this work to charac-terize the parameters in ruminal and metabolic parameters in weaned lambs kept in native pasture. Ten lambs were used – five males and five females – with average body weights medium of 26 kg and 22.5 kg, respectively, and ages between 75 and 95 days old. Lambs were weaned and permanently kept in native pasture. Samples of ruminal fluid were collected during eight weeks, and nine collects. Oxidation-reduction, time of sedimentation-flotation, pH, color, odor, viscosity and motility of protozoa were evaluated. Blood samples were also collected to determine metabolic profiles through concentrations of glucose, triacylglycerids, cholesterol, urea, albumin, aspartate amino transferase and γ -glutamil transferase. Ruminal parameters did not differ between gender at α = .05 except for pH which was higher (P < .05) in females (6.90) than in males (6.80). A similar result was observed in the metabolic parameters, with no statistically significant difference between genders at α = .05. However, albumin concentration was higher on males (2.10mg/dL) than in females (2.02mg/dL). The results suggest that males and females have similar ruminal and metabolic profiles except for a higher pH in females and a higher albumin concentration in males. Key-words: Metabolism, sheep, native pastura, rumen. Objetivou-se com este trabalho caracterizar os parâmetros ruminais e metabólicos de cordeiros machos e fêmeas, os quais foram mantidos em pastagem nativa. Utilizaram-se dez cordeiros, sendo cinco machos e cinco fêmeas, com peso médio ao desmame de 26 ±5,43 e 22,5 ± 4,06 kg, respectivamente, com idades entre 75 e 95 dias. Após o desmame, os animais foram mantidos permanentemente em pastagem nativa, por um período de oito semanas. Efetuaram-se nove coletas de amostras de fluido rumina, para determinação do tempo de redução, do tempo de sedimentação-flutuação, do pH, da cor, do odor, da vis-cosidade e motilidade de protozoários, além de amostras de sangue para a determinação do perfil metabólico, através das concentrações de glucose, triacilglicerol, colesterol, uréia, albumina, aspartato-amino-transferase, γ-glutamil-transferase e creatino-quinase, considerando-se a coleta do dia do desmame. Os parâmetros ruminais não diferiram (P>0,05) entre os sexos, exceto para os valores de pH, que foram superiores (P<0,05) aos das fêmeas (6,90) em relação aos machos (6,80). Efeito semelhante foi verificado nos parâmetros metabólicos, não se observando diferença (P>0,05) entre os grupos. Contudo, a concentração de albumina foi maior nos machos (2,1 mg/dL) que nas fêmeas (2,02 mg/dL). Com base nos resultados pode-se concluir que os machos não apresentam diferença na maioria dos parâmetros avaliados, exceto no pH e na concentração de albumina. Palavras-chaves: Metabolismo, ovinos, pastagem nativa, rúmen.
... La cétose, clinique ou subclinique, apparaît lorsqu'il existe un déficit énergétique, peu après la mise bas, de telle sorte qu'il y a une augmentation de la néoglucogénèse. En effet, pendant la lactation, le besoin en glucose serait multiplié par 2,66 [53]. ...
Article
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The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two levels of crude protein using poultry by-product meals (PBPM) fed during late gestation on the performance, blood metabolites, and colostrum composition of Holstein dairy cows. Sixteen multiparous cows 26±6 d before expected calving were assigned randomly to two treatments containing 1) 14% and 2) 16% crude protein. The cow’s BCS was 3.56 ± 0.5 on average, at the beginning of the trial. Yields of milk, protein, lactose, fat, and SNF were not affected by prepartum dietary CP level. Colostrum composition (fat, CP and Total solids), blood metabolites (Ca, Glucose, Total protein, Albumin, Globulin and Urea N), and metabolic diseases incidence were not influenced by prepartum dietary CP level. There was no significant difference between treatments in body weight and BCS changes. As expected, blood urea N before calving was higher in the cows fed 16% CP diets. Serum cholesterol during prepartum and postpartum periods was significantly decreased as the CP increased in the diet. In general, although postpartum glucose level increased in cows which received 16% CP in the diet, it seems that no other obvious advantages over feeding the 14% CP diet are apparent. So feeding this last diet is recommended to close up cows.
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing corn with brown rice (BR) on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, blood metabolites and energy balance (EB) in cows during the periparturient period. Twenty-four nonlactating multiparous Holstein cows in late gestation were studied from 3 week before the expected calving date through 6 week after parturition. The cows were divided into one of two dietary treatment groups based on parity and the expected calving date. The treatments were a diet containing steam-flaked corn and a diet containing steam-flaked BR. Prepartum DMI and body weight (BW) and postpartum DMI, BW, milk yield, milk protein and lactose yield were not affected by the dietary treatment. However, the milk fat content and fat yield were higher (P = 0.02 and P = 0.01) for cows fed BR than for cows fed corn. Thus, cows fed BR-based total mixed ration (TMR) tended to have more negative EB in early lactation (P = 0.06) compared with cows fed corn-based TMR. During the prepartum period, the plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), aspartate transaminase (AST) and Ca were not affected by dietary treatments. On the other hand, the postpartum plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were decreased (P < 0.01 and P = 0.02) and the BHBA and AST concentrations were increased (P < 0.01 and P = 0.02) by replacing corn with BR with no dietary effect on postpartum plasma NEFA and Ca concentrations. These results show that feeding BR instead of corn does not affect DMI or milk yield, but increases milk fat production and leads to a more negative EB state in early lactation. Replacing corn with BR during the periparturient period has adverse effects on the metabolism and energy status in early lactating cows.
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This experiment was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of different levels of concentrate supplement in the pre and post-parturition periods on the reproductive performance of dairy cow. 54 cows in a completely randomized design, distributed in 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, being 3 treatments, 2 periods and 9 repetitions for treatment, were used. The treatments with different levels of concentrate supplement (in dry basis) in the pre-parturition periods (PRE), were: PRE1 = 0% of body weight (BW); PRE2 = 0.5% of BW; PRE3 = 1.0% of BW; and in the post-parturition (POS), were: POS1 = 1kg for each 2.5 kg of produced milk; POS2 = 1kg for each 2.0kg of produced milk and POS3 = 1kg for each 1.5kg of produced milk, above 6 kg of milk a day. The ultrasonography evaluation and body score were evaluated every seven days. 20 animals presented estrus and 13 animals became pregnant in the evaluated period. The average interval between parturition-first estrus was of 53.13 days, varying from 19 to 105 days. The amount of animals that entered in the estrus in the 120 days of evaluation increased with the post parturition supplementation level, being of 2, 4 and 7 animals for the treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. For the conception, the only treatment in that all the animals became pregnant, was the treatment PRE3 and POS3. There was higher number of conceptions among the animals that received treatment 2 and 3, so much in the pre as in the post-parturition, in relation to animals that received the treatment 1. The increasing supplement level in the treatments pre and post-parturition caused lineal decrease of the number of weeks for beginning of follicular activity (BFA) and beginning of follicular growth (BFG). There was negative correlation among BFA (-0.34), BFG (-0.31) and body score to the parturition. It can be concluded that the increasing supplement level in the pre and post-parturition treatments, increases the amount of animals that manifest estrus and become pregnant in the first 120 days post-parturition, as well as, in the pregnant maintenance. Lineal decrease occurred in the time for BFA and BFG as increases the supplement level in the pre and post- parturition, being these correlated with the body score to the parturition.
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Arsenazo III forms a 1:1 complex with calcium. The affinity constant of arsenazo III for calcium (pKCa) has been determined by titrating purified arsenazo III with standard calcium solutions. The method of evaluation used allows one to determine correct pKCa values even in the presence of micromolar amounts of contaminating calcium. The pKCa is influenced by the following factors: (a) in the neutral pH range the apparent pKCa increases strongly with pH; (b) alkali ions bind weakly to arsenazo III and millimolar concentrations cause a decrease in the apparent pKCa; (c) the magnesium affinity of arsenazo III, although much lower than the calcium affinity, increases strongly with pH in the neutral range (at pH 7.0 the calcium affinity of arsenazo III is not appreciably altered by up to 2 mm magnesium); (d) strontium and barium form weaker complexes with arsenazo III than calcium, but much stronger complexes than magnesium; (e) the apparent pKCa decreases with increasing buffer concentration in the millimolar range. The pKCa of arsenazo III is so high that, unless the arsenazo III concentration greatly exceeds the calcium concentration, a considerable fraction of the total arsenazo III is in the calcium complexed form. Because of this, arsenazo III responds nonlinearly to all but the lowest calcium concentrations; however, quantitation of the calcium concentration can readily be done from the mass action law provided that the pKCa is determined under the actual experimental conditions. Arsenazo III is a reliable calcium indicator if the experimental conditions, particularly pH, are well controlled.
Article
Plasma glucose concentration during late gestation was thought to be important for the development of fatty liver near parturition. Thirteen multiparous cows were given a 1-L oral drench of propylene glycol once daily beginning 10 +/- 3.6 d prepartum until parturition. Eleven control cows received a 1-L water drench. Plasma glucose increased following propylene glycol administration. Plasma NEFA concentration was 403 and 234 microM, and plasma insulin concentrations were .354 and .679 ng/ml, for control cows and cows treated with propylene glycol measured from 1 to 7 d prepartum. Plasma NEFA tended to be lower in cows treated with propylene glycol from 1 to 21 d postpartum. Prepartum propylene glycol administration reduced hepatic triglyceride accumulation by 32 and 42% at 1 and 21 d postpartum, respectively. Prepartum plasma BHBA was reduced during propylene glycol administration. Prepartum plasma glucose, NEFA, BHBA, and insulin were strongly correlated with liver triglyceride at 1 d postpartum (r = -.49, .45, .36, and -.49, respectively). Pre- and postpartum DMI were not affected by treatment. Milk production and composition measured through 21 d postpartum were not different between groups.
Article
Nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) are measured routinely in the study of nutrition and growth physiology. To improve the efficiency with which this variable is measured, a two-reaction, enzymatic-based assay was adapted and validated to quantify NEFA in bovine blood plasma using 96-well microtiter plates. The effects of incubation time, temperature, and of sample volume were examined in addition to possible interfering substances, recovery, reagent stability, and range of linearity. Incubation for 30 min at 21 degrees C for each of the two reactions resulted in maximal slope and r2 values (1.94 and .999, respectively). Percentage of recovery was 107% when using 5 microL and 100% when using 10 microL of heparinized bovine plasma in the assay. Uniform linear standard curves (r2 > .99) were obtained using reagents stored at 4 degrees C for 9 d. An equal volume of 1 mM acetate, propionate, valerate, and butyrate added to plasma did not affect results. The assay was linear from 125 to > 1,000 microEq/L. Intra- and interassay CV for the 5-microL sample volume were 3.6 and 3.7%, respectively. This modified assay provides results comparable to the standard assay yet reduces reagent and labor requirements and increases sample capacity.
Article
High producing multiparous dairy cows were fed either diets differing in energy content or diets with identical energy and protein content but differing in roughage content at the end of the dry period and beginning of lactation. Basal insulin and ketone bodies were analysed every week from 3 weeks before to 7 weeks after calving. Pancreatic glucagon was estimated 3 weeks before, 1–3 days after, and 3 weeks after calving. Before calving the feeding regimen had a very strong influence on the basal insulin level. High amounts of concentrate increased basal insulin levels until one week before calving and caused an interruption in the physiological decreasing course. After calving the insulin levels were low in all groups of cows. Before calving there were small variations in the glucagon levels, and no influence of feeding was observed. After calving there was a strong increase, especially in the cows fed the highest amounts of concentrate. Feeding high amounts of concentrate resulted in varying and in many cases increased levels of ketone bodies in plasma. Hyperketonemic cows had lower insulin and higher glucagon levels than normal cows. The influence of non‐structural carbohydrates in the feed on pancreatic hormones as a cause of ketogenesis is discussed.
Article
Pregnancy, decreased feed intake during late gestation, lactogenesis, and parturition have dramatic effects on metabolism in dairy cows during the transition period from 3 wk before calving to 3 wk after calving. Increases in plasma NEFA occur during the 10 d before calving and may precede the decrease in feed intake. Plasma NEFA concentrations are highest at calving and decrease rapidly after calving. Plasma glucose concentration decreases during the transition period except for a transient increase associated with calving. Hepatic glycogen is reduced and lipid is increased during the transition period. Feed intake is usually decreased 30 to 35% during the final 3 wk prepartum, but negative energy and protein balances are not as severe as during the week following parturition. Prepartum feed intake is positively correlated to postpartum feed intake; therefore, efforts to maximize feed intake should begin before calving. Overconditioned cows may be more susceptible to a prepartum decrease in feed intake. Increasing nutrient density of the diet during the transition period may enhance feed intake. Feeding more fermentable carbohydrate during the prepartum transition period may acclimate the microbial population to lactation diets, promote development of ruminal papillae, increase absorptive capacity of the rumen epithelium, and reduce lipolysis by delivering more glucogenic precursor to the liver and enhancing blood insulin. Supplementing fat to transition diets does not seem to alleviate health problems associated with negative energy balance. Enhancing amino acid absorption by the prepartum cow may improve lactation performance and health, although mechanisms of action have not been identified.
Article
Methods of administering propylene glycol to reduce plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) during feed restriction of cattle were evaluated. Treatments were 1) no propylene glycol supplementation, 2) propylene glycol provided as an oral drench once per day, 3) propylene glycol mixed with concentrate and fed separately from forage, or 4) propylene glycol blended as part of the total mixed ration (TMR). Prior to or during feed restriction at 50% of ad libitum intake, propylene glycol was provided once daily at 2.5 ml/kg of body weight. Prior to feed restriction, administration of propylene glycol as an oral drench or mixed with concentrate was more effective in increasing serum insulin than was feeding propylene glycol as part of the TMR. During feed restriction, administration of propylene glycol as an oral drench or mixed with concentrate resulted in higher serum insulin and lower plasma NEFA concentrations than did feeding propylene glycol as part of the TMR. Propylene glycol decreased the molar percentage of ruminal acetate and the ratio of acetate to propionate. Propylene glycol administered as an oral drench or mixed with concentrate and fed separately from forage appeared to be more effective than feeding propylene glycol as part of the TMR for influencing plasma NEFA in cattle during feed restriction.
Article
Sixty-five multiparous Holstein cows were used to test the effects of feeding diets of varied ruminal carbohydrate availability during the transition period on dry matter intake, blood metabolites, and lactational performance. Cows received total mixed rations containing either cracked corn or steam-flaked corn beginning 28 d prior to expected calving date. At parturition, cows were assigned to a postpartum total mixed ration that contained either cracked corn or steam-flacked corn. Diets were fed until 63 d in milk. No treatment effects on prepartum or postpartum dry matter intake, body weight, and body condition score were observed. Cows fed steam-flaked corn had lower blood urea N concentrations during the prepartum period and lower plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentrations during the prepartum and postpartum periods. Cows fed steam-flaked corn postpartum produced 2.3 kg/d more milk than cows fed cracked corn during the first 63 d in milk. Fat corrected milk showed no treatment effect. Seven cows were used to evaluate treatment effects on ruminal fermentation and digesta kinetics. Prepartum and postpartum treatments had minimal effects on ruminal fermentation. Feeding steam-flaked corn prepartum decreased apparent fiber digestibility and ruminal NH3 N. Feeding steam-flaked corn postpartum decreased the acetate to propionate ratio. Prepartum and postpartum treatments did not affect digesta kinetics. An increase in ruminal carbohydrate availability during the postpartum period enhanced milk production, but had variable results on ruminal fermentation.
Article
Feeding strategies of transition dairy cows contribute to the risk factors associated with metabolic disorders that limit production in the ensuing lactation. To investigate the effects of prepartum dietary crude protein (CP) concentration and amount of rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) on postpartum health and production, 44 multiparous Holstein cows were blocked by expected calving date and assigned to one of four isoenergetic prepartum rations beginning 28 d prior to expected calving date. Prepartum rations were: 12% CP and 26% RUP, 16% CP and 26% RUP, 16% CP and 33% RUP, or 16% CP and 40% RUP on a dry matter basis. All cows were fed the same postpartum diet (18% CP, 40% RUP) from 1 to 56 d in milk (DIM). Prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) was not different among dietary treatments. Mean postpartum intakes (kg/d) were higher through 56 DIM (P<0.05) for cows fed the 12% CP:26% RUP diet prepartum compared with any of the 16% CP diets (21.8 vs. 19.8, 18.6 and 18.6; 12% CP:26% RUP vs. 16% CP:26% RUP, 16% CP:33% RUP and 16% CP:40% RUP). There was a DIM x prepartum diet interaction (P<0.05) with the greatest effect of the 12% CP:26% RUP diet evident during the first 35 DIM. Cows fed the 12% CP:26% diet during the transition period tended to produce more milk (kg/d) (P = 0.08) than did cows fed any of the 16% CP diets (40.8 versus 37.8, 38.7, and 37.4; 12% CP:26% RUP vs. 16% CP:26% RUP, 16% CP:33% RUP, and 16% CP:40% RUP). Additional protein (12 vs. 16% CP) in the prepartum diet tended to decrease milk protein (P = 0.10) and milk fat yield (P = 0.08) but did not alter percent milk fat, percent milk protein, or MUN. Liver triglyceride (TG) expressed as milligrams of TG per microgram of DNA or percentage of dry matter (DM) on d -28, -14, +1, +28, and +56 relative to calving were not significantly different among treatments. Maximal (P<0.05) infiltration of TG in liver was observed on +1 d when expressed as a percentage of DM and on +28 d when expressed as milligrams of TG per microgram of DNA. Plasma glucose, calcium, urea nitrogen, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and nonesterified fatty acids were not different (P<0.05) among treatments. The data indicate carryover effects of prepartum dietary protein on postpartum intake and milk production, pointing to beneficial effects of maintaining dietary protein for dairy cows in late gestation at 12% CP.
The effect of propylene glycol on milk fat depression
  • T J Fronk
Fronk, T.J., 1975. The effect of propylene glycol on milk fat depression. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
Metabolic adaptation in dairy cows to changes in diet and lactational status
  • Park
Park, A.F., Shirley, J.E., Titgemeyer, E.C., Cochran, R.C., DeFrain, J.M., Ferdinand, E.E., 2002. Metabolic adap-tation in dairy cows to changes in diet and lactational status. J. Dairy Sci. 85, 742 (Abstract).
Official Methods of Analysis Association of Official Analytical Chemists
  • References Aoac
References AOAC, 1990. Official Methods of Analysis. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Arlington, VA, USA, pp. 80–88.