ABSTRACT: Fermented milk is a widely popular probiotic food. In addition to starter cultures, its production process is often enhanced with specific probiotic strains, such as Bifidobacterium spp., Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, although the particular strains employed vary among different products. Because the efficacy of probiotics is strain-specific, determining the composition and abundance of probiotic strains in fermented milk is critical for the quality assessment and regulation of these products. In this study, L. plantarum YZH81, a probiotic strain previously isolated and preserved by our laboratory, was selected as the research subject. Based on whole-genome sequencing and SNP analysis, the whole-genome sequences of 19 other L. plantarum strains were compared, leading to the design of a pair of strain-specific primers and a minor groove binder-modified probe. Subsequent specificity assays confirmed the capability of these oligonucleotides to effectively distinguish L. plantarum YZH81 from other strains. Accordingly, a propidium monoazide (PMA)-droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) method was developed and optimized to effectively differentiate viable from nonviable cells. Compared with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), the ddPCR method offers superior specificity, sensitivity, and interference resistance, with a detection limit as low as 102 cfu/mL, demonstrating higher sensitivity than qPCR. When the target strain YZH81 was quantitatively added to fermented milk, the PMA-ddPCR method showed accurate quantification within the range of 104 to 107 cfu/mL, meeting the requirements for strain-level detection in fermented milk. This strain-specific PMA-ddPCR method provides a rapid, sensitive, and effective solution for quality control and regulatory compliance assessment of probiotic fermented milk, enabling precise quantification of viable target strains even in complex product matrices with high specificity and reproducibility.
Jessica C.L. Motta, Rodrigo V. Sala, Cameron B. Hayden
et al.
ABSTRACT: Female cattle with low-anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) have fewer antral follicles and reduced in vitro embryo production (IVEP) potential than high-AMH females. In addition, granulosa cells of low-AMH females have a diminished responsiveness to FSH, despite elevated circulating FSH concentrations. However, AMH phenotype is generally not considered when establishing FSH dosage for ovarian superstimulation. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effect of FSH dosage on IVEP outcomes in high- and low-AMH female cattle. Pregnant Holstein heifers (∼50 d of gestation) with high (>331 pg/mL; n = 31) and low (<192 pg/mL; n = 31) circulating AMH were enrolled at 2 different locations for experiment 1 and experiment 2, respectively. Heifers were assigned to receive 0, 280, or 525 IU of FSH in a crossover design at 14 d intervals. Follicular wave emergence was synchronized using follicular ablation and FSH treatments, comprising 4 decreasing doses administered 12 h apart, were initiated 36 h after follicular ablation. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) were retrieved using ovum pick-up (OPU) 40 h after the last FSH administration and subjected to IVEP. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models and orthogonal polynomial contrasts. In high-AMH heifers, total follicles and COC increased in a linear FSH dose-dependent manner. Similarly, blastocyst percentage increased linearly with increasing FSH dose, resulting in a linear increase in blastocyst yield (0 IU: 2.8 ± 0.4; 280 IU: 4.9 ± 0.7; 525 IU: 6.5 ± 0.8). In low-AMH heifers, there was a quadratic effect of FSH dose on total follicles, whereby there was a greater increase in number of follicles between 0 and 280 IU of FSH than between 280 and 525 IU. Conversely, the number of COC increased linearly with increasing FSH dose. There was a quadratic effect of FSH dose on blastocyst percentage, whereby the blastocyst percentage increased between 0 and 280 IU of FSH but not between 280 and 525 IU. Nevertheless, the number of blastocysts produced increased linearly with FSH dose (0 IU: 2.0 ± 0.4; 280 IU: 3.8 ± 0.6; 525 IU: 4.8 ± 0.8). In conclusion, the administration of FSH before OPU enhances IVEP in both high- and low-AMH heifers in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, the FSH-driven improvement in oocyte developmental competence reached a threshold at 280 IU of FSH in low- but not high-AMH heifers, suggesting that the optimal FSH dosage to maximize IVEP efficacy may be less for low- than high-AMH phenotype heifers.
ABSTRACT: During the transition period, dairy cows often experience negative energy balance (NEB), leading to excessive mobilization of adipose tissue and elevated circulating nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). These excess NEFA can be taken up by the mammary gland, triggering redox imbalances and pro-inflammatory cascades that compromise its function. In nonruminants, sinomenine hydrochloride (SINH) has been shown to modulate oxidative stress and inflammation across a range of pathological conditions. However, its effects on NEFA-induced injury in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC) remain largely unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether SINH can alleviate NEFA-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in BMEC and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Primary BMEC isolated from healthy cows were treated with various concentrations of SINH (0, 40, 80, 120, 200, or 400 μM) for 24 h or with 120 μM SINH for different durations (0, 6, 12, 24, 36, or 48 h) to assess dose- and time-dependent effects. For the injury model, cells were co-treated with 1.2 mM NEFA and different concentrations of SINH for 24 h. To investigate the role of autophagy, cells were pretreated with 5 mM 3-methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, for 1 h before co-treatment with 120 μM SINH and 1.2 mM NEFA for an additional 24 h. The SINH treatment significantly attenuated NEFA-induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, along with upregulated expression of antioxidant proteins such as heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1. Concurrently, SINH reduced malondialdehyde content and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. Inflammatory responses were also mitigated by SINH, as indicated by decreased protein expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, and phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), as well as downregulated mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines including IL6, IL1B, IL18, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFA). Notably, SINH also restored the mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10. Importantly, SINH reversed the NEFA-induced inhibition of autophagy in BMEC. However, pharmacological blockade of autophagy with 3-MA abrogated the protective effects of SINH, as reflected by reduced antioxidant enzyme activities and re-elevated oxidative and inflammatory markers. In conclusion, SINH may serve as a promising therapeutic agent to alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation in the mammary gland by restoring autophagic activity during the transition period in dairy cows.
Rebecca El Hawat, Selene Massaro, Nicolò Amalfitano
et al.
ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the transfer of terpenes from fresh aromatic plants, hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and savory (Satureja hortensis L.), into cow milk, quantify their transfer efficiency, and explore their dynamics. Six Simmental dairy cows were allocated to a single concurrent 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 dietary treatments: a TMR as control (CTRL) and the same ration supplemented with fresh hemp (HEMP) or savory (SAV) leaves. Each period lasted 14 d, with herb supplementation administered from d 1 to d 6 at increasing doses (0.2–0.8 kg/d DM). Milk samples were collected daily and analyzed to determine terpene concentrations and transfer kinetics. Terpenes were extracted using headspace solid-phase microextraction and analyzed by GC-MS. A total of 24 terpenes were identified across feed and milk. The HEMP had the highest terpene content (85,962 µg/kg), followed by SAV (11,313 µg/kg) and CTRL (228 µg/kg). Corresponding milk concentrations were 388.8 µg/kg (HEMP-diet), 48.7 µg/kg (SAV-diet), and 50.8 µg/kg (CTRL). Despite the lower absolute terpene content in CTRL, its relative carryover to milk was highest (15.4%) compared with HEMP-diet (8.7%) and SAV-diet (6.2%). Key terpenes such as α-farnesene, β-caryophyllene, and p-cymene were transferred to milk. The results demonstrate that terpenes can be transferred to milk in a compound-dependent manner, with hemp producing the highest absolute terpene concentration in milk. This research supports the application of terpene-rich plants in dairy diets to enhance milk quality, traceability, and value, contributing to more sustainable and differentiated dairy production systems.
Bridger B. Sparks, Hunter Ford, Tainara C. Michelotti
et al.
ABSTRACT: Lipolysis of adipose tissue is a natural occurrence during the periparturient period in dairy cows. However, when lipolysis rates exceed the capacity of other tissues to used nonesterified fatty acids, it may lead to the development of ketosis and other diseases. Additionally, PUFA can become oxidized into oxylipins, which modulate inflammation and metabolism. The objective of this work was to identify depot-specific differences on adipose tissue oxylipin profile in dairy cows with and without subclinical ketosis and assess the effects of oxylipins on adipocyte function in vitro. Subcutaneous adipose tissue from the flank (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue from the omentum (VAT) were collected through laparotomy from multiparous dairy cows (5–14 DIM) and grouped according to blood BHB into nonketotic (NK; n = 5; BHB ≤ 0.8 mmol/L) and subclinical ketotic (SCK; n = 5; BHB 1.4 and ≤ 2.6 mmol/L). A targeted lipidome capable of detecting a 154 oxylipins was performed in paired SAT and VAT samples from all animals. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure in SAS (v9.4, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) for the effect of depot (SAT, VAT), ketosis status (SCK, NK), and their interaction (depot × ketosis status) on oxylipin abundance. The oxylipins thromboxane-B2 (TXB2), prostaglandin-A2 (PGA2), and 5-hydroxeicostretanoic acid (5-HETE) were selected from lipidomic data based on effects of ketosis status and depot-specificity to further investigate their effects on SAT and VAT adipocyte function. Lipidomic data revealed 50 oxylipins across both adipose tissue depots. SCK was associated with a decreased abundance of TXB2 and tended to associate with an increase in PGA2 and prostaglandin-E1 (PGE1). Additionally, PGE1, 15-keto-prostaglandin-E2, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin-E2, 5-HETE, and 15-HETE were increased in SAT. Although VAT had a greater abundance of 9,10-dihydroxy-12Z-octadecenoic acid, 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid, 9-oxo-10E,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid, and 13S-hydroxy-9Z,11E,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid (13[s]-HOTrE). In vitro, an average (AVG) dose of 5-HETE on VAT cells tended to increase proliferation at d 7 compared with the control, HGH dose of TXB2 tended to decrease lipid accumulation in SAT compared with control, and AVG dose of PGA2 on VAT cells tended to lower ROS compared with the control. Overall, postpartum dairy cows have depot-specific adipose tissue lipidomic profiles which are associated with changes in ketosis status.
T.J. Valdés-Arciniega, E. Anta-Galván, I.M.R. Leão
et al.
ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to determine the relationship between circulating progesterone (P4) concentrations and milk yield during the ovulatory follicular wave on the proportion of multiple ovulation (MOV) in multiparous high-producing Holstein cows (n = 1,345). The study used first-service multiparous cows submitted to a Double-Ovsynch program (GnRH; 7 d later, PGF2α; 3 d later, GnRH; 7 d later, GnRH [G1]; 7 d later, PGF2α [PG1]; 1 d later, PGF2α; ∼32 h later, GnRH [G2]; ∼16 h later, timed AI [TAI]). To assess ovulatory response and proportion of MOV, ovarian ultrasonography examinations were performed at G1 (n = 1,215) and G2 (n = 1,345) and from 40 to 48 h after each GnRH. Average milk yield (kg/d) for the weeks before G1 and PG1 were recorded. Blood samples were collected at G1 (n = 1,242) and PG1 (n = 1,333) to measure serum P4 concentrations. Milk yield for the 2 weeks before PG1 was 56.0 ± 0.2 kg/d. Overall, ovulation to G1 was 71.5%, and MOV to G1 was 16.6%. Circulating P4 concentration at G1 was higher in cows with single ovulation (SOV) at G1 than in cows with MOV (4.31 ± 0.08 vs. 3.70 ± 0.20 ng/mL, respectively). Overall, ovulation to G2 was 90.2%, and MOV to G2 was 13.7%. Cows with MOV to G2 also had lower P4 concentration at PG1 than cows with SOV (7.24 ± 0.28 vs. 8.91 ± 0.11 ng/mL, respectively). The interaction of serum P4 tertiles at PG1 × milk yield tertiles was not significant for MOV to G2. Nevertheless, independent of each other, MOV to G2 was positively associated with milk yield and negatively associated with serum P4 at PG1. The proportion of cows with MOV to G2 was greater for cows with previous MOV to G1 (32.9%) than for cows with SOV to G1 (9.8%). In summary, MOV in multiparous high-producing Holstein cows was highly associated with serum P4 concentrations, milk yield, and previous MOV. In addition, an increased proportion of MOV was associated with high milk yield tertile (≥58.5 kg/d) regardless of the serum P4 concentrations during the growth of the ovulatory follicle.
Fergus P. Hannon, Martin J. Green, Luke O'Grady
et al.
ABSTRACT: Targeted reproductive management (TRM) aims to improve the fertility efficiency of the dairy herd by applying group-level management strategies based on expected reproductive performance. Key to the utility of TRM is the accuracy with which an animal's reproductive performance can be predicted. Automatic milking systems (AMS) allow for the collection of data relating to milk quantity, quality, and robot visit behavior throughout the transition period. In addition to this, auxiliary data sources, such as rumination and activity monitors, as well as historical cow-level data, are often readily available. The utility of this data for the prediction of fertility has not been previously explored. The first objective of this study was to assess the accuracy with which the likelihood of expression of estrus between 22 and 65 DIM and conception to first insemination between 22 and 80 DIM could be predicted using data collected by AMS from 1 to 21 DIM. Our second objective was to assess the change in model performance following the addition of 2 auxiliary data sources. Using data derived solely from the AMS (RBT dataset) a binary random forest classification model was constructed for both outcomes of interest. The performance of these models was compared with models constructed using AMS data in conjunction with 2 auxiliary sources (RBT+ dataset). Expression of estrus was classified with an area under the receiver operator curve (AUC-ROC) of 0.6 and 0.65, conception to first insemination with an AUC-ROC of 0.56 and 0.62 for the RBT and RBT+ datasets, respectively. No statistically significant improvement in classification accuracy was achieved by the addition of auxiliary data sources. This is the first study to report the utility of data collected by AMS for the prediction of reproductive performance. Though the performance described is comparable with previously reported models, their utility for the implementation of TRM is limited by poor classification accuracy within key subgroups. Of note within this study is the failure of the addition of auxiliary data sources to increase the accuracy of prediction over models built using AMS data alone. We discuss the advantages and limitations the integration of additional data sources imposes on model training and deployment and suggest alternative methods to improve performance while preserving model parsimony.
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the timing of presumptive conceptus attachment (pCA) and its relationship with subsequent pregnancy loss (PL) in lactating dairy cows following timed artificial insemination with conventional (TAI-C) or X-sorted (TAI-S) semen or timed embryo transfer (TET) with frozen-thawed in vitro–produced (IVP) embryos. Lactating cows (n = 417, predominantly Holstein-Friesian) located in 3 herds were blocked based on parity, calving date, and economic breeding index and randomly assigned to receive TAI-C (n = 136), TAI-S (n = 136) or TET with a single, grade-1 frozen-thawed IVP blastocyst (n = 145). Cows were synchronized with a 10-d Progesterone-Ovsynch protocol, and were either inseminated (TAI-C, TAI-S) 16 h after the second GnRH or received TET on d 7 after presumptive estrus. Serum progesterone was measured in all cows on d 7 after expected ovulation. For all cows that had not returned to estrus, serum pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) was measured on d 7, 17, and daily from d 19 through 28 after expected ovulation to characterize the timing of pCA. The day of pCA was defined as the first day of an increase in PSPB of ≥12.5% from baseline (d 17) followed by 2 more consecutive days of ≥12.5% increase from the previous day. Pregnancy was diagnosed in cows that had not returned to estrus via ultrasound examination on d 32, 62, and 120 postovulation, and calving data were recorded. Day of pCA (mean; 95% CI) was earlier for TAI-C (20.0; 19.7, 20.3) compared with TET (20.6; 20.3, 20.9), and TAI-S (20.3; 19.9, 20.6) was not different from the other 2 treatments. Calving/service event (C/SE) was greater (83.2% vs. 54.4%) and PL during the interval from pCA to expected calving date was less (16.8% vs. 45.6%) for cows with early pCA (≤d 20; 23/137) compared with cows that had late pCA (≥d 21; 36/79). The incidence of PL was greater for cows assigned to TAI-S (30.7%) and TET (33.8%) than TAI-C (16.4%). Consistent with previous studies, measuring time to pCA provides new insights into understanding early pregnancy establishment and PL in lactating dairy cows. The timing of pCA was later for TET compared with TAI-C and may be associated with increased risk of PL. Further research into the regulatory mechanisms underlying conceptus attachment is warranted.
ABSTRACT: The transition period in dairy cows is a critical stage and peripartum oxidative status, negative energy balance (NEB), and inflammation are highly prevalent. Fecal microbial metabolism is closely associated with blood oxidative status and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels. Here, we investigated dynamic changes in total oxidative status markers and NEFA in blood, fecal microbiome, and metabolome of 30 dairy cows during transition (−21, −7, +7, +21 d relative to calving). Then the Bayesian network and 9 machine-learning algorithms were applied to dismantle their relationship. Our results show that the oxidative status indicator (OSI) of −21, −7, +7 d was higher than +21 d. The plasma concentration of NEFA peaked on +7 d. For fecal microenvironment, a decline in bacterial α diversity was observed at postpartum and in bacterial interactions at +7 d. Conversely, microbial metabolites involved in carbohydrate, lipid, and energy metabolism increased on +7 d. A correlation analysis revealed that 11 and 10 microbial metabolites contributed to OSI and NEFA variations, respectively (arc strength >0.5). The support vector machine (SVM) radial model showed the highest average predictive accuracy (100% and 88.9% in the test and external data sets) for OSI using 1 metabolite and 3 microbiota. The SVM radial model also showed the highest average diagnostic accuracy (100% and 91% in the test and external data sets) for NEFA with 2 metabolites and 3 microbiota. Our results reveal a relationship between variation in the fecal microenvironment and indicators of oxidative status, NEB, and inflammation, which provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and precise regulation of peripartum oxidative status and NEB.
Lubos Vostry, Hana Vostra-Vydrova, Nina Moravcikova
et al.
ABSTRACT: Although dairy goat production, characterized by traditional production on small farms, is an important source of income in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, locally adapted breeds have not been fully consolidated over the last 100 yr due to large fluctuations in population size and inconsistent breeding programs that allowed for different crossbreeding strategies. Our main objective in this study was therefore to assess the conservation status of 4 Czech (Alpine Goat, White Shorthair, Brown Shorthair, and Czech Landrace) and 1 Slovak (Slovak White Shorthair) local goat breeds, to analyze their population structure and admixture, and to estimate their relatedness to several neighboring breeds. Our analyses included 142 goats belonging to 5 local breeds genotyped with the Illumina 50K BeadChip, and 618 previously genotyped animals representing 15 goat breeds from Austria and Switzerland (all analyses based on 46,862 autosomal SNPs and 760 animals). In general, the conservation status of the Czech and Slovak local goat breeds was satisfactory, with the exception of the Brown Shorthair goat, as the analyzed parameters (heterozygosity, haplotype richness, runs of homozygosity–based inbreeding, and effective population size) were mostly above the median of 20 breeds. However, for all 5 Czech and Slovakian breeds, an examination of historical effective population size indicated a substantial decline about 8 to 22 generations ago. In addition, our study revealed that the Czech and Slovakian breeds are not fully consolidated; for instance, White Shorthair and Brown Shorthair were not clearly distinguishable. Considerable admixture, especially in Czech Landrace (effective number of parental clusters = 4.2), and low but numerous migration rates from other Austrian and Swiss breeds were found. These results provide valuable insights for future breeding programs and genetic diversity management of local Czech and Slovak goat breeds.
Anina Vogt, Uta König von Borstel, Susanne Waiblinger
et al.
ABSTRACT: Measurement of fecal cortisol metabolites (FGCM) is a well-established, noninvasive method to assess stress in adult dairy cattle. However, this procedure has not yet been validated for unweaned dairy calves, and it can be expected that the milk proportion of the diet may influence the resulting FGCM concentrations. The aim of this study was therefore to assess whether a peak in FGCM concentrations in response to a stressor can be measured in unweaned dairy calves on a largely milk-based diet. If so, further objectives were to examine whether maximum FGCM concentrations, as well as the time lag until they are reached, are comparable to the values in the same calves on a solid-based diet after weaning. For this study, 5 German Holstein calves of about 3 mo of age (93 to 102 d preweaning) were exposed to a 45 min transport stressor once before and once after weaning, which was 3 wk apart. All voided fecal samples were collected for 24 h after termination of the transport. Fecal cortisol metabolites were analyzed with an 11-oxoetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay and changes in FGCM concentrations relative to the individual baseline (FGCMrel) were calculated. Results showed a clear peak in FGCM concentrations on both diet types. The peak FGCMrel concentrations tended to be higher when the calves were on the preweaning diet (at peak: +233 ± 25% increase relative to baseline) in comparison to the postweaning diet (+124 ± 23%). Considering the whole 24 h sampling period, the FGCMrel concentrations for all calves were significantly higher on the preweaning diet than on the postweaning diet. There was also a numerical difference in the delay between occurrence of the stressor and appearance of the peak FGCMrel concentrations in feces, as the time lag was 1.5 ± 1.2 h longer when the calves were on the preweaning diet compared with the postweaning diet. In conclusion, our results suggest that FGCM concentrations are a useful stress marker for unweaned dairy calves in the same way they are for older cattle, but that FGCMrel concentrations tend to be higher in unweaned than in weaned calves and are thus not directly comparable.
ABSTRACT: The objectives were to test the effects of dietary vitamin D3 [cholecalciferol (CHOL)] compared with 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [calcidiol (CAL)] on vitamin D status and response to an endotoxin challenge. Forty-five Holstein bull calves (5 ± 2 d of age) were blocked into weekly cohorts, fed a basal diet that provided 0.25 µg/kg body weight (BW) CHOL, and assigned randomly to 1 of 5 treatments: control [(CON) no additional vitamin D], 1.5 µg/kg BW CHOL (CHOL1.5), 3 µg/kg BW CHOL (CHOL3), 1.5 µg/kg BW CAL (CAL1.5), or 3 µg/kg BW CAL (CAL3). Calves were fed milk replacer until weaning at 56 d of age and had ad libitum access to water and starter grain throughout the experiment. Treatments were added daily to the diet of milk replacer until weaning and starter grain after weaning. Measures of growth, dry matter intake, and serum concentrations of vitamin D, Ca, Mg, and P were collected from 0 to 91 d of the experiment. At 91 d of the experiment, calves received an intravenous injection of 0.1 µg/kg BW lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Clinical and physiological responses were measured from 0 to 72 h relative to LPS injection. Data were analyzed with mixed models that included fixed effects of treatment and time, and random effect of block. Orthogonal contrasts evaluated the effects of (1) source (CAL vs. CHOL), (2) dose (1.5 vs. 3.0 µg/kg BW), (3) interaction between source and dose, and (4) supplementation (CON vs. all other treatments) of vitamin D. From 21 to 91 d of the experiment, mean BW of supplemented calves was less compared with CON calves, but the effect was predominantly a result of the CHOL calves, which tended to weigh less than the CAL calves. Supplementing vitamin D increased concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in serum compared with CON, but the increment from increasing the dose from 1.5 to 3.0 µg/kg BW was greater for CAL compared with CHOL (CON = 18.9, CHOL = 24.7 and 29.6, CAL = 35.6 and 65.7 ± 3.2 ng/mL, respectively). Feeding CAL also increased serum Ca and P compared with CHOL. An interaction between source and dose of treatment was observed for rectal temperature and derivatives of reactive metabolites after LPS challenge because calves receiving CHOL3 and CAL1.5 had lower rectal temperatures and plasma derivatives of reactive metabolites compared with calves receiving CHOL1.5 and CAL3. Supplementing vitamin D increased plasma P concentrations post-LPS challenge compared with CON, but plasma concentrations of Ca, Mg, fatty acids, glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, haptoglobin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and antioxidant potential did not differ among treatments post-LPS challenge. Last, supplementing vitamin D increased granulocytes as a percentage of blood leukocytes post-LPS challenge compared with CON. Supplementing CAL as a source of vitamin D to dairy calves was more effective at increasing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, Ca, and P concentrations compared with feeding CHOL. Supplemental source and dose of vitamin D also influenced responses to the LPS challenge.
ABSTRACT: Limited research has examined the interaction between dietary crude protein (CP) level and CP feeding pattern. We tested CP level (low protein [LP], 13.8%; high protein [HP], 15.5% CP, dry matter [DM] basis) and CP feeding pattern (OF = oscillating, SF = static) using a 2 × 2 factorial in 16 mid- to late-lactation Holsteins (initially 128 ± 12 d in milk; mean ± SD). Cows ate total mixed rations formulated by exchanging soy hulls and ground corn with solvent soybean meal to keep constant ratios of neutral detergent fiber to starch (1.18:1), rumen-degradable protein to CP (0.61:1), and forage-to-concentrate (1.5:1) in DM. The OF treatments alternated diets every 48 h to vary CP above and below the mean CP level (OF-LP = 13.8% ± 1.8%; OF-HP = 15.5% ± 1.8% CP [DM basis]) whereas diets were constant in SF (SF-LP = 13.8%; SF-HP = 15.5% CP [DM basis]). In four 28-d periods, 8 rumen-cannulated and 8 noncannulated cows formed 2 Latin rectangles. On d 25 to 28 of each period, each cow's feed intake and milk production were recorded, and samples were taken of orts (1×/d) and milk (2×/d). We fit linear mixed models with fixed CP level, CP feeding pattern, and period effects, and a random intercept for cow, computing least squares means and standard errors. Neither CP level, CP feeding pattern, nor the interaction affected DM intake, feed efficiency, or production of milk, fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM), fat, true protein, or lactose. Milk urea-N (MUN) yield was lesser for LP. The LP and OF conditions decreased MUN concentration. The CP level tended to interact with CP feeding pattern so that milk protein concentration was greatest for OF-HP. The OF and LP conditions increased the ratio of true protein to MUN yield. Within OF, cosinor mixed models of selected variables showed that cows maintained production of FPCM across dietary changes, but MUN followed a wave-pattern at a 2-d delay relative to dietary changes. A tendency for lesser MUN with OF contradicted prior research and suggested potential differences in urea-N metabolism between OF and SF. Results showed that cows maintained production of economically-relevant components regardless of CP feeding pattern and CP level. Contrary to our hypothesis, the effects of 48-h oscillating CP were mostly consistent across CP levels, suggesting that productivity is resilient to patterned variation in dietary CP over time even when average CP supply is low (13.8% of DM) and despite 48 h restrictions at 12.2% CP.
Archaeological investigations at a mid-seventeenth century urban domestic household site in Bridgetown, Barbados, the island’s capital city and main port, add to our understanding of the culinary practices of British colonists on the early colonial Caribbean frontier. The evidence sheds new light on the way British colonists adapted to an unfamiliar and evolving dietary environment. In particular, the lack of utilitarian ceramic vessels recovered from the site, such as milk pans, milk bowls, and butter pots, show the minor role of local dairy products in early Bridgetown. The small number of utilitarian vessels associated with dairying contrasts sharply with archaeological evidence from early colonial archaeological sites in British North America. Climate, urbanity, and the economic demands of the emerging sugar industry are among the key factors reducing the practice of dairying activities in early colonial Barbados. Evidence for alcohol consumption is also disproportionately higher than British colonial sites elsewhere.
ABSTRACT: This study aimed to understand the veterinary-client relationship and perspectives in organic dairy production systems. Twenty-three organic dairy producers and 12 veterinarians were interviewed using semi-structured, one-on-one interviews. Consultation with local veterinarians was typically infrequent, as there was greater reliance on other producers and organic industry professionals for advice on dairy herd health management, perhaps due to a shared focus on organic farming principles. Organic producers generally consulted local veterinarians most frequently to develop vaccine protocols, address animal health emergencies, and gain reproductive services. Common reasons organic producers cited for not regularly consulting a local veterinarian included the cost of veterinary services and a perception that local veterinarians have limited experience with organic systems and products. Some producers also expressed the idea that infrequent veterinarian usage is indicative of a healthy herd. Meanwhile, local veterinarians reported that organic dairy producers often delayed consulting them about individual cases until animal health problems were severe. Local veterinarians also identified challenges in servicing organic herds, such as the lack of standardized regulations between different organic certifiers and limited safety and efficacy data for many herd health products used by organic producers. In addition, their formal training generally did not include organic herd health strategies. Organic dairy clients were typically a small fraction of the overall workload for local veterinarians, which precluded their ability to accumulate experience. In contrast, a handful of specialized veterinarians in the organic milk processing industry work more frequently with organic producers and have published most of the available resource materials on organic dairy herd health. Veterinary-client partnerships could be improved through more open communication and discussion of the challenges identified in this study and through participatory research and outreach engagement that includes local veterinarians, organic certifiers, organic industry veterinarians, and producers.
Jillian Hendricks, Daniel M. Weary, Marina A.G. von Keyserlingk
ABSTRACT: Both male and female calves that are not required in the dairy herd sometimes receive inadequate care on dairy farms. Veterinarians work with farmers to improve animal care, and farmers often view veterinarians as trusted advisors; however, little is known about the attitudes of veterinarians on surplus calves. This study investigated the perspectives of Canadian cattle veterinarians on the care and management of surplus calves, as well as how they view their role in improving care. We conducted 10 focus groups with a total of 45 veterinarians from 8 provinces across Canada. Recorded audio files were transcribed, anonymized, and coded using thematic analysis. We found that veterinarians approached surplus calf management issues from a wide lens, with 2 major themes emerging: (1) problematic aspects of surplus calf management, including colostrum management, transportation, and euthanasia, and suggested management and structural solutions, including ways to improve the economic value of these calves, and (2) the veterinarian's role in advising dairy farmers on the care of surplus calves, including on technical issues, and more broadly working with farmers to better address public concerns. We conclude that veterinarians are concerned about the care of surplus calves on dairy farms and believe that they have an important role in developing solutions together with their farmer clientele.
Dairying in Bundelkhand region continues to play a central role in providing livelihood security and coping mechanism to mitigate risks of the resource poor farmers. However, the development of this key sector has not progressed to the desired extent in comparison to other regions of Uttar Pradesh and also across other states. Thus, an attempt was made to study the present status and issues in dairying, analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) and propose strategies for dairy sector development in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh using primary and secondary data in this study. The study identified various issues and constraints, viz. presence of low yielding non-descript cattle, low milk yield, less breedable population, dependency on grazing and crop residues utilization, lack of veterinary services, dominance of middle men in marketing, poor scientific knowledge etc. in the region. Further, it was found that this region of Uttar Pradesh is facing a tentative annual loss of rs. 1,619 crores due to Anna pratha. There is also a need to calculate the losses like crop damage, indiscriminate animal breeding, high cost of production for unproductive animals, lack of milk availability leading to poor human nutrition, etc. Hence, there is a need to focus on short and long term strategies based on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) of dairy sector in Bundelkhand region. A need based research and extension activities by different organizations in the region may be emphasized for the benefit of farming community.
Katarzyna Mikołajczyk, Ewa Pecka-Kiełb, Andrzej Zachwieja
The aim of the research was to establish relations between the selected rumen fermentation products and the milk composition in dairy cows. The experiment was conducted on 10 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows of black and white variety. The animals were kept in the free stall housing system and fed with the total mixed ration (TMR). The herd’s milk production was assessed using the A4 method and the milk analyses were obtained from the milk recordings. The rumen digesta were sampled two hours after the morning delivery of TMR using a stomach pump. The sampled digesta were diluted with buffer, homogenized and the obtained suspension was analysed using gas chromatograph with the FID detector to determine the total concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and the percentage of individual VFAs. Milk composition was obtained from the RW-1 reports, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for the obtained parameters. It was determined that propionate and the relation of propionate to butyrate in the rumen digesta increased the protein content and its fractions in milk. The volatile fatty acids utilization coefficient in the rumen digesta a positive correlation to protein contents and a negative correlation to the level of caseins in milk were shown. Processes taking place in the cow rumen significantly influence the composition and quality of milk. The knowledge of volatile fatty acids content and the of individual VFAs allows for the management of the rumen fermentation in order to obtain better technological parameters of milk.
The majority of dairy farmers and processors in Australia and New Zealand are considered world class due to their ability to produce dairy products at a cost that is competitive on the world market without requirement for subsidy. International and domestic forces beyond the farm influence the international competitiveness of Antipodean dairy systems, as much or more than, the within-farm characteristics of the systems. Critical external forces include: world population growth, protein demand from increasingly wealthy developing countries, dairy supply from domestic and international producers, international dairy prices and exchange rate volatility. Within farm, the keys to persistent profitability, business survival, and growth will continue to be management ability and labour skill as well as the relationship between milksolids (milk fat + milk protein) produced per system and total production costs. Domestic forces will include competition for resources such as land, water, quality labour and capital, and public expectation that farms will meet the costs of community environmental and welfare objectives. Public and industry investment in research, development and extension in innovations that increase productivity is essential if dairying is to remain competitive. The operation of the comparative advantage principle determines which industries thrive, or decline, in an economy. New Zealand dairying has a strong comparative advantage over alternative pastoral industries which will continue. In Australia, the comparative advantage of dairy farming over alternative activities is less clear-cut. History shows that the best farmers and processors handle risks such as market and climate volatility and other challenges better than others, and their prospects are positive. However, world class performers in the future dairy industry will certainly not be all, or even the majority, of the current population of dairy farmers.