Effect of microencapsulated sodium butyrate in the close-up diet on performance of dairy cows in the early lactation period

Abstract

Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of sodium butyrate microencapsulated within triglyceride matrix (Na-butyrate) in the close-up period on performance of dairy cows and rumen papillae development. In trial 1, 26 Holstein-Friesian cows were randomly allocated to 2 groups (13 cows/group) and fed prepartum a total mixed ration (TMR) without or with 300g of Na-butyrate/d from 30 d before expecting calving to parturition. After calving, the same lactational TMR without Na-butyrate was offered to both treatments. Dry matter intake and milk yield were monitored daily to 60 d in milk, and body condition of cows was scored on d 30, 21, and 4 before parturition and d 14, 31, and 60 after parturition. On d 15, 10, and 5 before parturition blood samples were collected from 6 cows randomly chosen from each group and analyzed for plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acids concentrations. No differences in dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield, body condition score, or plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acids concentrations was observed between treatments; however, in the last 5 d before parturition the cows receiving Na-butyrate ate 1.7kg of DM/d more, on average, as compared with control cows. In trial 2, 12 Holstein-Friesian growing bulls (404±48; body weight ± SD) were used to determine the effect of Na-butyrate inclusion in the diet on rumen papillae development. Bulls were randomly allocated to 2 groups (6 bulls/group) and fed TMR without or with 2% (on a dry matter basis) of Na-butyrate for 21 d. At the end of the study, bulls were killed and rumen fluid and rumen tissue samples from dorsal and ventral sac of the rumen were collected. No effect of Na-butyrate supplementation on BW of bulls and DMI during the trial period was observed. Sodium butyrate supplementation increased total short-chain fatty acid concentration in the rumen but had no effect on rumen pH, molar proportions of short-chain fatty acids, and NH3-N concentration. In dorsal sac of the rumen, papillae length and papillae cross-section surface area were increased as a result of Na-butyrate supplementation, whereas in the ventral sac a reverse effect was observed (significant treatment × location in the rumen interaction). Both in the dorsal and ventral sac of the rumen, dietary Na-butyrate increased rumen muscle layer thickness. Altogether, results of this study suggest that Na-butyrate supplementation in the close-up diet may have a potential to enhance rumen papillae growth and rumen adaptation to postpartum diet but lactation performance was not affected under conditions of the current study.

Effects of tributyrin supplementation on ruminal microbial protein yield, fermentation characteristics and nutrients degradability in adult Small Tail ewes

“…In the current study, molar proportions of both acetate and propionate remained fairly constant, suggesting that the amount of butyrate added by TB had no effect on the fermentation pattern of the basal diet, and the present results are consistent with reports by Kowalski et al. (). However, we observed increased butyrate molar proportion in the rumen of ewes fed TB, and this might be caused by the elevated ruminal butyrate concentration.…”

“…A previous study by Kowalski et al. () reported that DMI was not affected when sodium butyrate was included in the diet for bulls. In the current study, TB as feed additive was added in the experimental diets; it may have modified the taste and that might have resulted in greater refusals by the TB‐supplemented ewes, although TB is stable and less odorous.…”

“…Kowalski et al. () fed Holstein Friesian growing bulls with 2% microencapsulated sodium butyrate containing 30% sodium butyrate and 70% triglyceride matrix, and reported that supplementation of sodium butyrate increased total short‐chain fatty acid concentration in the rumen. Tributyrin (TB) is a rich form of butyric acid, and one molecule of TB can be metabolized into three free butyric acid molecules by rumen microbes.…”

Aspects of rumen adaptation in dairy cattle : morphological, functional, and gene expression changes of the rumen papillae and changes of the rumen microbiota during the transition period

“…All major VFA promote rumen papillae development in vivo (Sutton et al, 1963;, but Bu is generally believed to have a particular proliferative effect Malhi et al, 2013;Kowalski et al, 2015). Given the greater papillae surface area in early lactation (16, 30, and 44 d pp) associated with a rapid compared with a gradual increase in concentrate allowance , it was expected that Bu production would be larger at 16 and possibly 44 d pp in RAP compared with GRAD.…”

“…Often, Bu is credited with special proliferative properties and is frequently used in treatments in rumen studies Malhi et al, 2013;Kowalski et al, 2015). Papers on the special proliferative effects of Bu often refer to the work of .…”