This study was carried out to assess the effect of using pasture combined with total mixed ration (TMR) on milk production and composition, fatty acid (FA) profiles, fat-soluble antioxidant content, and total milk antioxidant capacity (TAC). In addition, the effect of milk pasteurization and storage at 2 °C for 4 days, lipophilic antioxidants and TAC were assessed. Two homogeneous groups of Jersey cows (n = 8) were constituted, which were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments: TMR (without access to pasture), or partial mixed diet (pTMR: grazing 8 h/day + TMR indoors). To establish FA profiles and lipophilic antioxidants’ changes in milk during the grazing period, in case of the pTMR group the experimental period was spilt in three grazing periods: P1 (May), P2 (June), and P3 (June/July). Milk yielded from cows having limited access on pasture (pTMR diet) showed an improved FA profile, with higher concentrations of FAs considered benefic for human health (vaccenic acid (VA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), omega-3 FA (n-3 FA)) (p < 0.01) and a lower concentration of FAs with hypercholesterolemiant potential (C12:0, C14:0, and C16:0) (p < 0.05), compared to that of the TMR diet. This change in FA profile was correlated with improved sanogenous lipid indices of milk fat (n-6/n-3 FA atherogenic index and thrombogenic index). Milk yielded during the P1 grazing period had higher concentrations of VA, CLA, and n-3 FA (p < 0.05) and lower concentrations of C14:0 and C16:0 (p < 0.01); it exhibited the best values for the main sanogenous fat lipid indices of fat. Moreover, pTMR milk showed a higher α-tocopherol, retinol, and β-carotene content (p < 0.05), positively correlated with TAC values in milk (P1 ˃ P2 ˃ P3). By comparison, cows fed using the TMR diet yielded a higher quantity of milk (p < 0.05), but a lower fat and protein content (p < 0.01), and also a higher saturated FAs and n-6 FA content (p < 0.05) together with a lower concentration of lipophilic antioxidants in milk. Thermal treatment showed no effect on α-tocopherol and retinol content in milk, but their concentrations decreased during the storage, at the same time a TAC decrease. The results of this study prove the positive effect of using pasture combined with TMR on FA profiles, milk antioxidant content, and antioxidant capacity, with beneficial effects on nutrition and health in humans.
The Romanian Buffalo Breed (RBB), established in 1987, originated from local river buffalo populations highly adapted to the low-input breeding condition. Cross-breeding with Asian breeds was recently used for genetic improvement in milk production. In the last 25 years the species has dramatically decreased. Over 90% of livestock has been sold and never replaced. The population is now mainly maintained in subsistence farms. This study aims to assess the genetic diversity within the remaining population and to verify links with improved breeds supposedly introgressed in RBB. To assess the genetic diversity of RBB and ascertain possible phylogenetic relations with other buffalo breeds, we sequenced the entire cytochrome B gene (MTCYB) in a sample population. Blood samples were collected from randomly selected 52 unrelated individuals from various locations in Transylvania. A DNA fragment containing the entire MTCYB gene (1140bp) was amplified by PCR directly from whole blood (1μl). The amplicons were sequenced using two pairs of primers. The sequences were subsequently used for genetic diversity assessments. Analysis of the sequences led to the identification of five novel MTCYB haplotypes, uploaded in GenBank with the following accession numbers: JQ241279; JQ241280; JQ241281; JQ241282; JQ241283. In the sample population, the most frequently identified haplotypes were haplotype 2 (EF409940.1) and haplotype 3 (EF409941.1), previously reported in other buffalo populations, mainly from Asia, confirming the Asiatic origins of RBB. Sequence comparisons have revealed that RBB is mainly related with Indian breeds. Despite the numerical decline of RBB, through correct breeding schemes the breed maintained a good level of genetic diversity. Our analysis confirms RBB's Asiatic origins. Presence of new haplotypes may also reflect that this population is isolated from a geographical and reproductive point of view.
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