Effects of Mn supplementation in late-gestating and lactating red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) on milk production, milk composition, and calf growth

Abstract

This study describes the effects of Mn supplementation of 20 late-gestating and lactating Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) females (hinds) fed a balanced diet on milk production and milk composition over the lactation period. Body weight of their calves at birth and at weaning was also evaluated. In addition, the effect of lactation stage was studied. For these purposes, 2 groups of hinds, one composed by 12 individuals (experimental) and the other by 8 individuals (control) were compared. Experimental hinds were s.c. injected weekly with Mn (2 mg Mn/kg BW) from day 140 of gestation until the end of lactation (week 18; forced weaning by physical separation). Control hinds were injected with a physiological saline solution with the same volume and at the same frequency as the experimental group. Serum Mn content of hinds was assessed just before the first Mn injection and at week 10 of lactation to assess whether the injected Mn increased Mn concentrations in blood. No differences were observed for BW of calves at birth but calves whose mothers were injected with Mn tended (P = 0.07) to have greater gain of BW from birth to weaning in proportion of BW at birth compared to calves from control hinds. In addition, supplementation with Mn increased (P ≤ 0.05) daily milk production by 10.2%, milk fat content by 11.2%, and total fat yield by 17.8%. Also, milk from hinds supplemented with Mn had more Ca (P < 0.001) and P (P < 0.05) than milk from control hinds. Manganese supplementation did not influence Mn serum content when blood was analyzed at week 10 of lactation, but increased the Mn content of milk by 18.3% (P < 0.001). Lactation stage affected (P < 0.001) fat, protein, lactose, and DM. Their contents increased as lactation proceeded, and protein was substituted by fat. Therefore, results suggest that Mn supplementation of hinds is recommended, even when they are fed a balanced diet, to increase milk production and the content of fat, Ca, P, and Mn of milk.

Parenteral Cu Supplementation of Late-Gestating and Lactating Iberian Red Deer Hinds Fed a Balanced Diet Reduces Somatic Cell Count and Modifies Mineral Profile of Milk

“…Cappelli et al [9] concluded that Mn supplementation in deer fed a balanced diet increased impact energy and contents in minerals of antler bone tissue. Recently, Serrano et al [10] concluded that parenteral Mn supplementation of late-gestating and lactating hinds is recommended, even when they are fed a balanced diet, to increase milk production and content of fat, Ca, P, and Mn. This studied proved that parenteral Cu supplementation reduced SCC improving udder health and modifying the milk mineral profile which increased its content of Ca.…”

“…Copper supplemented (n = 9) and control (n = 8) Iberian red hinds were reared in captivity conditions and fed simulating the feeding system of deer farms using the same feeding program described by Serrano et al [10]. Briefly, hinds were kept in a 5000 m 2 open-door enclosure on an irrigated mixed pasture.…”

“…During the days of milking at weeks 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 of lactation, hinds were separated from their calves for 6 h (08:00 to 14:00 h) in a handling facility [18,19]. Milking was conducted using a machine milking set-up 50/50 massage/milking ratio and 44 kPa of vacuum following the procedure described for hinds by Serrano et al [10]. Briefly, a low-dose of anesthesia was injected in the right jugular vein using 0.5 mg per kg BW of xylazine (Seton 2%, Calier, Barcelona, Spain) and 1 mg per kg BW of ketamine (Imalgene 100, Merial, Lyon, France) before milking.…”

“…The gross energy content of fresh milk (GEFM) was calculated as suggested by Landete-Castillejos et al [20]. In addition, the total daily gross energy (TDGE) produced in milk was calculated multiplying the GEFM by the DMP as indicated by Serrano et al [10]. The SCC was analyzed using a Fossomatic 5000 (Foss Electric, Hilleroed, Denmark) based on flow cytometry technology that counts somatic cells in compliance with the International Organization for Standardization/International Dairy Federation and National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments.…”

“…Parenteral mineral supplementation is a common practice in deer [2,9,10]. Although this technique requires a more laborious handling than minerals added to feed, it ensures that the same quantity of the mineral is supplied for all animals, and also that minerals supplemented bypass the gastrointestinal tract, thus avoiding interactions with other minerals leading to secondary deficiencies.…”