1,720,963 research outputs found
Feeding behaviour and metabolic condition of dairy cows during early lactation.
No full textIn dairy cow the transition period often results in enormous stress and may negatively impac��t
Dry Matter Intake (DMI), milk production and herd health. The aim of this research was to study
the feeding behaviour of dairy cows in early lactation and the relationship with the metabolic and
health conditions. The trial was carried out on 14 multiparous Italian Friesian cows raised in an experimental
free-stall barn. Animals were fed Total Mixed Ratio (TMR) once daily (at 07:30 a.m.) and
raised, from 7 to 60 d after calving, in a pen equipped with 24 electronic feeding stations connected to
a central computer (Bio Control A/S, Rakkestad, Norway) capable to record individual data on feeding
behaviour. The data on feeding behaviour (number of meals, eating time per meal, feed intake per meal
and rate of intake) were expressed per day and per day-time (from 07:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.) and nighttime
(from 07:00 p.m. to 07:00 a.m.) period. Cows were bled, before TMR distribution, at -14, -7, 1, 3,
7, 14, and 30 d from calving and samples analyzed for the parameter of the Piacenza Metabolic Profile
together to NEFA, BHBA, and creatinine. The BCS was evaluated at -7, 0, 30 and 60 d from calving,
while milk yield and body weight were daily recorded. The animals were subdivided in two groups (G
and L) according to the Liver Functionality Index (LFI), based on the behaviour of plasma albumin,
total cholesterol and bilirubin in early lactation. The results were subjected to ANOVA (Mixed procedure
of SAS), including LFI, DIM, period of the day, their interactions, and cow as random effect. During
early lactation the behaviour of DMI was mainly related to the eating time per meal and the feed
intake per meal; on the contrary, the number of meals per day changed only slightly. The DMI during
the day-time period was on average 66% of daily DMI, this proportion did not change significantly
during lactation. The animals with lower (worse) LFI (L) compared to the animals with higher (better)
LFI (G) have shown: a) lower milk yield (P<0.01); b) lower DMI, mainly as consequence of a lower
eating time per meal (25.0 vs. 32.7 min in L and G, respectively; P<0.05) and of a lower feed intake
per meal (2.89 vs. 3.82kg DM in L and G, respectively; P<0.10), despite a greater number of meals per
day (6.3 vs. 5.6 meals in L and G respectively; n.s.); c) lower values of plasma albumin and cholesterol,
and greater of bilirubin, as consequence of LFI classification, together to greater values of the positive
acute phase proteins (AAP+: haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin) before (n.s.) and after calving; d) greater
values of plasma NEFA before calving and of NEFA and BHBA after calving; e) some health troubles
after calving (mastitis and lameness). In conclusion our data show that feeding behaviour and daily
DMI in early lactation was mainly related to the eating time and DMI per meal. An increase of plasma
APP+/APP- ratio around calving was associated with a lower DMI in early lactation, together to a reduction
of milk yield and a worsening of health condition
Metabolic stress and inflammatory response in high-yielding, periparturient dairy cows
No full textIncreased disease rates are commonly reported among high-yielding dairy cows in the transition period, extending from 3weeks before to 3weeks after calving, and characterized by the occurrence of an inflammatory response in terms of both positive and negative acute phase proteins (APP+ and APP-). To determine the above inflammatory response, the authors had developed the Liver Functionality Index (LFI), which defines the above condition on the basis of some APP- responses (albumin, cholesterol sensu stricto+bilirubin) during the first month of lactation. In this respect, low LFI values are associated to a high inflammatory response and vice versa. The relationship between LFI and inflammatory cytokine response was investigated from day -28 to day +28 with respect to calving in 12 periparturient dairy cows showing the six highest and six lowest LFI values within a cohort of 54 high-yielding dairy cows. The hypothesis being tested was that LFI and APP- on the whole could be used as readout of successful vs. non-successful adaptation to the transition period, with a strong association to disease occurrence. In fact, low LFI cows experienced many more disease cases (13 vs. 3 in high LFI Group) and related drug treatments till day +28. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum concentrations were always higher in low LFI cows (P<0.05 on day +28). The greater IL-6 levels were correlated with higher ceruloplasmin (APP+) and lower lysozyme serum concentrations (P<0.05 and <0.1, respectively). This latter finding was correlated with a clear role in vitro of lysozyme in a dose-dependent modulation of the inflammatory response of swine intestinal epithelial cells and bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Hematological examinations showed no significant differences between the two groups under study. On the whole, our results indicate that LFI and LFI-related parameters could be used to identify cows at risk in the transition period toward an improved farm management. Also, our study indicates that disease cases in periparturient, high-yielding dairy cows are correlated with signs of accentuated IL-6 response and other markers of inflammatory phenomena. These likely start in the late lactation period or around dry-off, as suggested by our prepartal data, and proceed at much greater levels after calving
Metabolic stress and interleukin-6 response in high-yielding, periparturient dairy cows
No full textIncreased disease rates are commonly reported among high-yielding dairy cows in the so-called transition period, extending from 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after calving. This period is characterized by the occurrence of a systemic inflammatory response in terms of both positive and negative acute phase proteins, with no signs of microbial infections. To determine the extent and the seriousness of the above inflammatory response, the authors have devised the Liver Functionality Index (LFI), which defines the above condition on the basis of the time-course of albumin, cholesterol and total bilirubin (direct or indirect indices of negative acute phase response) during the first month of lactation. In this respect, low LFI values are associated to a high inflammatory response and vice versa. The relationship between LFI and plasma interleukin IL-6 levels from day -28 to day +28 with respect to calving was investigated in 12 periparturient dairy cows showing the highest and lowest LFI values, respectively (6 cows each), within a cohort of 54 high-yielding dairy cows inside two experimental farms. As expected, low LFI cows experienced many more disease cases (100 vs 33 percent of cows had at least one affection) and drug treatments till day +28; their dry matter intake and milk yield were also lower (P<0.07). IL-6 concentrations were always higher in low LFI cows (P<0.06 from day +10 onwards; P<0.05 on day +21). IL-6 levels were lowest at calving in both groups, but the subsequent peak on day +3 was much higher in low LFI subjects (P<0.05). TNF-alpha values showed no significant differences between the two groups; these could be clearly recognized instead because of high versus low serum lysozyme concentrations in high and low LFI cows, respectively (p< 0.05). Our study confirms that disease cases of periparturient, high-yielding dairy cows are correlated with signs of systemic inflammation, characterized by a disregulated IL-6 response. This starts in the dry period and proceeds at much higher levels after calving
Effetti della somministrazione di Aloe nel periparto sulla qualità del latte bovino.
No full textL’uso dei nutraceutici nelle bovine durante il periparto è stato proposto per migliorare il loro stato di salute, ma le conoscenze degli effetti sono scarse, specie sul latte. Lo scopo di questa ricerca è stato quello di valutare gli effetti di una somministrazione di Aloe arborescens durante il periparto sulla qualità del latte bovino. In 2 allevamenti sperimentali 40 bovine in asciutta sono state divise in due gruppi omogenei. Uno di questi ha ricevuto la somministrazione orale di un omogenato di aloe tra 14 giorni prima e 14 giorni dopo il parto (ALOE); mentre l’altro non ha subito alcuna integrazione ed è servito da controllo (CTR). Nel mese prima e dopo il parto, di ciascun animale è stato controllato lo stato di salute e di ingrassamento, la produzione di latte e le sue caratteristiche (immunoglobuline, cellule somatiche, composizione, attitudine casearia). Gli animali ALOE hanno mostrato meno problemi clinici rispetto al CTR, una perdita minore di riserve corporee (BCS) ed una analoga produzione di latte. A livello della composizione del latte, le bovine ALOE hanno mostrato nel primo mese di lattazione un numero inferiore di cellule somatiche (P<0,01), un minor tenore lipidico (P<0,05), un leggero aumento del contenuto in caseina e dell’acidità titolabile. Nel complesso quindi il trattamento ha determinato un miglioramento dello stato di salute delle bovine, mammella inclusa, imputabile alla mitigazione del bilancio energetico negativo, come confermato dal minore calo di BCS. La riduzione del deficit energetico in avvio di lattazione giustifica anche il miglioramento delle caratteristiche casearie del latte (più caseine ed acidità più elevata). Sebbene tali risultati richiedano una conferma dalle variazioni metaboliche ed immunitarie, essi incoraggiano l’uso di nutraceutici nel periparto
Daily changes of blood insulin and plasma energy indices in early lactating cows fed with Total Mixed Ration
No full textDaily blood changes of insulin and energy indices are poorly investigated in dairy cows fed with Total Mixed Ration (TMR), but it is suggested that their daily variations could affect health, milk performances and perhaps feed efficiency. Furthermore, the effects of stage of lactation and of heavy meals on blood indices can be misleading for the interpretation of their values. To clarify this, blood samples from 13 early lactating cows (52±16 days in milk) were taken in 6 different days at 0 (8:00 a.m.), 2, 5, 7, 11, 19 h respectively, after TMR distribution. Li-heparin plasma was analyzed for glucose, urea, NEFA, BHB, ROM and insulin. Moreover, health status, milk yield and its conductivity, rumination profile, BCS and body activity were monitored. Statistical analysis was carried out by repeated measures variance test. After TMR distribution and for 5-7 h, glucose and NEFA decreased, while insulin, urea and BHB increased. Then all the parameters gradually tended to return to pre-TMR administration values. This last situation has been reached during the night and was not modified by the night milking and related small meal. Only NEFA level remained lower at 19 h (vs 0 h) bleeding, suggesting an important raise in early morning only. Plasma urea pattern of change appeared very similar to that of tied cows fed with forage meals mainly during light time. This last result suggests that cows fed with TMR could have some meals in few hours following TMR distribution (8-9 h, till the afternoon milking operation end), but only small meals during the night. With respect to the stage of lactation effect, very fresh cows (36 vs 50 and 68 days in milk) showed the lowest levels of insulin and the highest ones of NEFA at 0 time. Moreover, the same cows showed a smaller rise of insulin and urea after meal. Altogether the results suggest that there is a strong interaction between stage of lactation, time of major meals and time of bleeding on the levels of several blood metabolites and hormones. This means that for a proper comparison of some blood parameters are important both a well standardized protocol of bleeding but also to pay attention to lactation stage and time from TMR distribution
Assorbimento di antrachinoni in bovine da latte dopo la somministrazione di un omogeneizzato di aloe arborescens
No full textL’Aloe arborescens Mill. (aloe) è una pianta caratterizzata da varie proprietà terapeutiche (es. antimicrobica, cicatrizzante, antinfiammatoria) e talune presuppongono l’assorbimento
intestinale di molecole. Rilevante è la proprietà antinfiammatoria sistemica che, se provata,
potrebbe suggerire l’uso dell’aloe in alternativa a farmaci allopatici. Per verificare il
passaggio nel sangue di alcune sostanze (es. antrachinoni) è stato somministrato un
omogeneizzato di aloe a 4 bovine da latte in fase media di lattazione, alimentate con foraggi
(ogni 12 ore) e concentrati (ogni 3 ore). Le bovine, monitorate in continuo per stato di salute,
ingestione di alimenti, stato metabolico e produzione di latte, hanno ricevuto 200 ml di aloe e
vitamina A rumino-protetta (50000 UI/kg s.s. ingerita), per stimare la velocità di transito delle
frazioni fini, 30 minuti prima dei foraggi del mattino. A 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 e 24 ore
dall’assunzione sono stati eseguiti prelievi ematici per la determinazione di antrachinoni
(aloina e aloe-emodina; metodo LC-MS/MS) e retinolo-palmitato (RP; metodo HPLC).
L’omogeneizzato di aloe non ha causato effetti avversi agli animali. Il RP plasmatico ha
mostrato il tipico andamento delle bovine in fase media di lattazione, con picco a circa 11 h e
una stima della velocità di transito del 44,8±31,1 %/h. L’aloina ha mostrato un assorbimento
più rapido del RP: picco dopo circa 4 ore (6,5±6,1 μg/1) ancora rilevabile dopo 24 ore. Al
contrario, l’aloe-emodina non è mai stata rilevata nel sangue. La comparsa di aloina nel
plasma a seguito di una sola somministrazione di prodotto e la sua persistenza per almeno 24
ore fa ipotizzare effetti metabolici e fisiologici riconducibili ai principi attivi dell’aloe
Nutrition and welfare: role of inflammation and its modulation
No full textIn humans, the tremendous changes occurring during diseases (e.g. fever, anorexia, depression, then reduction of welfare) are mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNFα). These can be modulated by nutrition that is therefore able to decrease the effect or the risk of inflammation in both disease and healthy situations.
Aim of this paper was the supply Ascophyllum nodosum (AN, 50 g/capo/d) to dairy cows around calving (±2 wk) to reduce inflammations often occurring in this period. Eight cows (4 treated and 4 untreated = CTR) were frequently checked around calving (±4 wk) for health status, feed intake, rectal temperature, BCS, milk yield and composition and metabolic profile. Weekly energy balance (EB) and the net energy efficiency (NEE) were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was based on repeated measures variance test, using a model that includes treatment, days and their interaction.
During peripartum cows of both groups suffered of some mild diseases, but AN group showed a lower somatic cell count till 28th day in milk (DIM; 129±126 vs 205±206 n/μl of CTR) and a lower rectal temperature before calving, but not in the wk after calving, likely for 2 cases of retained placenta in the AN group. AN exhibited higher values of haptoglobin and myeloperoxidase till 14th DIM, suggesting a marked acute phase reaction and, possibly, an abundance of neutrophil granulocytes into the blood. Nevertheless, AN vs CTR showed a quicker raise of plasma cholesterol and similar levels of other negative acute phase proteins. Moreover, AN had a slightly higher feed intake; a similar milk yield, a sensibly lower fat content and a reduced lipomobilization (e.g. higher glucose and lower level of BHB: 0.8±0.4 vs 1.4±0.9 of CTR till 28th DIM). Altogether, these last changes have determined a better EB in AN (+2 Mcal/cow/d after calving) and similar NEE. On the whole, AN seems to exert a positive effect on welfare of periparturient dairy cows
Can a single rumen sample really diagnose SARA in commercial farms?
No full textThe accuracy of diagnosis of subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) with a single measurement of the ruminal pH remains contradictory. To clarify this aspect, a large assessment of rumen, faecal and blood parameters was performed in several herds characterised by diets rich in non-structural carbohydrates. Rumen fluid was collected by rumenocentesis 6 h after feeding from 114 dairy cows (half 30-90 and half 150-250 days in milk) from 10 herds. In the same day, blood and faecal samples were collected and milk yield was recorded. The herds were ex-post classified as healthy (CTR n ≤ 6) or as at risk for SARA (n ≤ 4), based on ruminal pH. SARA versus CTR herds had lower rumen pH (5.67 vs 5.97 P < 0.01) and higher concentration of VFA, with lower acetate (P < 0.01) and higher propionate and valerate (P < 0.05) proportions. Moreover, the faecal DM was lower (P < 0.05), whereas the milk yield was higher with a lower concentration of fat (P < 0.05). At blood level, no significant differences were observed between the groups on positive acute-phase proteins, whereas SARA herds showed higher concentrations of paraoxonase and Ca and lower of cholesterol, total proteins, nitrates, Na and Zn (P < 0.01). Therefore, SARA herds did not show any evident symptom of ruminal disorder or systemic inflammation. On the contrary, these herds had a higher milk yield and a better inflammometabolic profile. These data confirm the difficulties to diagnose the SARA by a single measurement of ruminal pH in commercial herds and suggest the need of more specific indices to identify herds at risk. © CSIRO 2014
Attenuation of inflamamtory response phenomena in periparturient dairy cows by administration of ω3 fatty acids
No full textHigh-genetic dairy cows undergo a sudden and marked metabolic
challenge around calving, often coming with an inflammatory-like
state triggering the release of many lipophilic mediators (e.g.
eicosanoids) more or less pro-inflammatory. As these derive from
some enzymatic pathways acting on polyunsaturated fatty acids
(FA), it may be possible to modulate their synthesis by altering the
ratio of main precursors (3/6 FA). This research aimed to study
the consequences of 3 FA diet fortification around calving (2
weeks before and after it) on inflammatory response and performances.
Ten cows received 22 g/d of 3 (OPT), while 10 were used
as control (CTR). Cows were frequently monitored (health status,
body condition score = BCS, blood, milk yield) for the whole transition
period. A wide plasma profile, including positive and negative
acute phase reactants and FA, was evaluated. Statistical analysis
was carried out by repeated measures variance test. Milk production
was good in both groups, but OPT vs CTR cows had a mild
post-calving lipomobilization, confirmed by the smaller BCS drop
and lower post-partum NEFA and BHB (0.57 vs 1.62 mmol/L at 1st
wk; P<0.1) levels. All cows underwent an inflammatory condition
around calving, but OPT showed a less strong response, as suggested
by lower levels of haptoglobin and bilirubin and higher ones
of albumin and retinol. OPT vs CTR increased plasma concentration
of 3 FA during treatment (EPA 1.08 vs 0.53% and DHA 0.31
vs 0.08% of total FA for OPT and CTR respectively; P<0.01). Since
3 FA are the main replacers of arachidonic acid in membrane
phospholipids, the increased levels of blood 3 FA observed in OPT
cows may have cut the formation of arachidonic-derivatives (more
pro-inflammatory), contrasting the inflammation start. Hence, 3
FA administration during the transition period seems to attenuate
subclinical inflammations and, consequently, to improve the energy
balance
Attenuation of inflammatory response phenomena in periparturient dairy cows by the administration of an ω3 rumen protected supplement containing vitamin E
No full textThe aim of this research was to study the consequences of ω3 fatty acids (FA) administration around calving on inflammatory response and on productive performances. In this period dairy cows undergo a metabolic challenge, coming with an inflammatory-like status triggering the release of pro-inflammatory mediators (e.g. eicosanoids, cytokines). Eicosanoids synthesis may be modulated by altering the ratio of their precursors (ω3 and ω6 FA). Ten cows received 22 g/d of rumen-protected ω3 FA from -21 to +21 days from calving (OPT), while 10 (CTR) received no supplement. Cows were frequently monitored for health status, body condition score (BCS), blood (metabolic, inflammatory and FA profiles), milk yield. OPT (vs CTR) showed a similar milk production, a numerically smaller BCS drop, lower postpartum levels of non-esterified fatty acids (P<0.05), β-hydroxybutyric acid (P<0.1) and creatinine (P<0.05), suggesting a milder post-calving reserves mobilization. All cows underwent an inflam- matory condition around calving, but OPT showed a milder response, as suggested by lower levels of bilirubin (P<0.05), and by the higher level of Liver Functionality Index (P<0.10). Plasma concentration of ω3 FA (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) increased in OPT during treatment (P<0.01 vs CTR). Since ω3 FA are the main replacers of arachidonic acid in membrane phospholipids, their increased levels in plasma of OPT cows may have cut the formation of arachidonic-derivatives (pro-inflammatory mediators), countering the beginning of the inflammation. Hence, the administration of rumen-protected ω3 FA in transition period seems to attenuate the effects of subclinical inflammations and to improve the energy balance
- …
