Concentration of Bioactive Components in the Milk of Simmental Cows Depending on the Feeding System

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the yield and chemical composition of milk from TMR-(group I) and pasture-fed Simmental cows (group II). The study was conducted with second and third lactation Simmental cows between 30 and 200 days of lactation. The present research showed that compared to TMR feeding, the use of summer pasture feeding and proper supplementation with high-energy feeds allow for higher milk yield and higher nutritive value of the milk. Compared to TMR-fed cows (group I), milk from pastured cows (group II) was characterized by a more beneficial composition of protein fractions, and a higher content of α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin and lactoferrin. It also contained more vitamins A and E, calcium, magnesium and iodine, and had a significantly (P≤0.05) lower cholesterol content. The milk of cows from group II contained over twice as much CLA (1.59% of all acids) and 35% more n-3 PUFA, which resulted in a more beneficial n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio of 2.88. In addition, this milk contained significantly (P≤0.05) less saturated fatty acids (SFA) and significantly more (P≤0.05) mono-(MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Consequently, the MUFA:SFA and PUFA:SFA ratios in this group were more favourable at 0.448 and 0.066, respectively. Also the content of desirable fatty acids (DFA) with hypocholesterolemic effects was higher in group II, which resulted in a more beneficial DFA:OFA ratio of 0.8 in this group. In conclusion, the use of summer pasture feeding and a proper supplemented feeding ration in Simmental cows with high-energy feeds allow for high milk yield and high nutritive value of the milk.

The Influence of Selected Factors on the Nutritional Value of the Milk of Cold-Blooded Mares: The Example of the Sokólski Breed

“…Brodziak et al [ 20 ] performed similar analyses in Polish Red and White-Backed cattle and showed that during the period when the cows used the pasture, they produced milk with a higher proportion of whey proteins, including β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, immunoglobulin, and lactoferrin. Similar findings have been reported by other authors [ 19 , 21 , 24 , 26 , 53 ]. The results of the present study pertaining to the influence of pasture forage on the fatty acid profile are supported by Tanhuanpää and Knudsen [ 54 ].…”

“…In the case of cattle (the most important species in world for milk production), research results indicate that the use of complete feeds (without pasture) improves the yield and proximate composition of milk (higher concentrations of dry matter, fat, and protein, including casein) in comparison to cattle with access to pasture [ 19 , 23 , 25 ]. The use of a traditional diet with pasture forage, on the other hand, has a beneficial effect on the fatty acid profile (higher share of unsaturated fatty acids, both MUFAs and PUFAs) [ 19 , 26 , 46 ] and increases the content of whey proteins, i.e., β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, lactoferrin, and lysozyme, and fat-soluble vitamins A, E, and D3 [ 23 , 26 ]. However, these results cannot be directly applied to horses due to differences in the structure of the digestive tract and the physiology of digestion, which determine the quantity and quality of synthesized milk components [ 18 ].…”

“…The composition and nutritional value of the milk of dairy animals depends on genetic factors (breed and individual traits), physiological factors (stage of lactation, age) and environmental factors (diet, time of year) [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. In the case of horses as well, research indicates that the composition of milk is influenced by the breed, stage of lactation, parity, and diet [ 18 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Potential Factors for Poor Reproducibility of In Vitro Hemolysis Testing

“…In previous studies quite a broad range of RBC indices such as Ht, hemoglobin, RBC count, and MCV, as well as RBC distribution width used as a marker of intercellular heterogeneity were shown for cattle. 24–28 Those depend on the breed, age, sex, lactation, physical activity and diet, exposure to high altitude, time of the year, environmental temperature, and other environmental factors. 26,29 Bulls, for example, have greater RBC counts than cows.…”

“…24–28 Those depend on the breed, age, sex, lactation, physical activity and diet, exposure to high altitude, time of the year, environmental temperature, and other environmental factors. 26,29 Bulls, for example, have greater RBC counts than cows. 30 Furthermore, beef cattle (to which all bulls and steers included in this study belong) has higher red blood cell counts and Ht than dairy cattle (to which most of the older cows included in this study belong) and lactating dairy cows have a lower Ht than nonlactating dairy cows.…”