Dietary supplementation with glucogenic precusors and fatty acids improves performance and health of periparturient dairy cows

Abstract

This experiment aimed to make a comparison between the effect of a mix of two energy preparations (a glucogenic preparation (G) and a free fatty acid preparation (F)), administered in the diet during the transition period over different periods of time (5 or 8 weeks), on the animal condition, feed intake, yield and composition of milk, and blood and urine parameters. The experimental additive was a mixture (1:1) of two energy preparations, namely, a loose mixture of propylene glycol and sodium propionate and a free fatty acid preparation in the form of rumen-undegradable pellets. The study included 50 Polish Black-and-White Holstein–Friesian dairy cows, allocated into five treatment groups, including one control (C) and four experimental ones (G1F1, G2F2, G2F1 and G1F2). The preparations were mixed at a 1:1 weight ratio (500 g per head, comprising 250G and 250F) and they were administered to all experimental groups of cows daily as a component of the experimental concentrate for 5 weeks (from the 2nd week before the expected calving and until the 3rd week of lactation). From the 4th until the 6th week of lactation, the supplementation in the experimental groups changed and animals received either no additive (G1F1), or were continuously supplemented with the G–F mix (G2F2), or received only G (G2F1) or only F (G1F2). The preparations used in the study had a long-term influence on the increase in the milk yield of cows, on the improvement of their health condition, and on the reduction of weight loss. The study results confirmed that prolongation of the supplementation until the 6th week of lactation may cause favourable changes in animal performance and milk quality. Due to different modes of action, the simultaneous supplementation of G and F reduced the negative energy balance in the cow and improved milk production and composition. The best results were obtained after administration of the mixture (1:1) of the G and F at the dose of 500 g/cow.day over the 8-week periparturient period.

Evaluation of cellulolytic exogenous enzyme-containing microbial inoculants as feed additives for ruminant rations composed of low-quality roughage

“…Crop residues have been considered as a potential strategy to solve this problem, but these are usually low in nitrogen (N) and are poorly digested by animals (Romero et al ., 2013). This has encouraged researchers to attempt to improve the nutritive values of these residues so as to cover the nutrient requirements for production results (Klebaniuk et al ., 2019). To date, several approaches have been made to improve ruminant livestock forage quality, including physical treatment (such as heat, steam and pressure; Zayed 2018), chemical treatment (e.g.…”

Producing natural functional and low-carbon milk by regulating the diet of the cattle—The fatty acid associated rumen fermentation, biohydrogenation, and microorganism response

“…Dietary fatty acid (FA) supplementation has become a widely accepted dietary strategy for improving the quality of animal products (5)(6)(7). There are two main categories of FAs: unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) that consist of one or more double-carbon bonds and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) that lack double-carbon bonds.…”

Effects of Supplementation with an Herbal Mixture on the Antioxidant Capacity of Milk

“…Consequently, they contribute to an increased resistance of animals exposed to stress (changes in the feed ration, thermal stress), enhance the absorption of essential nutrients, and increase the degree of antioxidant protection [ 3 , 5 ]. This aspect is particularly important in high-yielding animals, which are characterized by reduced immunity and, consequently, increased susceptibility to diseases [ 6 , 7 ]. Pasture grazing significantly increases the content of antioxidant compounds in milk, thus increasing its antioxidant potential [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”