Influence of short-term Leucaena leucocephala feeding on milk yield and its composition, thyroid hormones, enzyme activity, and secretion of mimosine and its metabolites in milk of cattle

Abstract

SU MMARYFour Karan/Friesian crossbred (HolsteinrTharparkar) dairy cows in late lactation (>200 days) were fed a basic diet of green maize and concentrates with an increasing proportion of Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) leaf meal (LLM). The proportion was gradually increased from 0 . 25 of the dry matter intake (DMI) in the first week to 0 . 50 in the second, 0 . 75 in the third and ad libitum in the fourth week. Mimosine, 3,4-dihydroxy pyridine (3,4-DHP) and 2,3-dihydroxy pyridone (2,3-DHP) levels were determined in milk, serum, urine and faecal samples. On average DMI of leucaena was 0 . 023-0 . 025, 0 . 025-0 . 027, 0 . 027-0 . 028 and 0 . 022-0 . 025 of live weight (LW) during the first, second, third and fourth week, respectively. Mimosine, 3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP appeared in the blood serum during leucaena feeding and continued appearing up to sixth week of experimental feeding even after the withdrawal of leucaena from the 34th day onwards. Similarly, excretion of mimosine, 3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP were observed even after withdrawal of leucaena from the diet. The feeding of LLM resulted in a reduced level of T 3 (Triiodothyronine) and T 4 (Thyroxine) within a week of LLM feeding. The level of T 3 and T 4 improved to normal after withdrawal of LLM from the diet. The serum aspartate transferase (AST) and serum alanine transferase (ALT) activities were within the normal range. Leucaena feeding improved milk yield and composition only up to 3 weeks of feeding. The concentration of mimosine, 3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP in milk was 0 . 33, 0 . 05 and 0 . 02 that of blood, respectively. The secretion of mimosine, 3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP in the milk might be a concern for health of the offspring of leucaena-fed animals as well as human beings consuming such milk.

Ovarian activity and estrus behavior in early postpartum cows grazing Leucaena leucocephala in the tropics

“…This agrees with Ghosh et al (2007), who reported intakes of up to 50 % Leucaena in cows without signs of toxicity. Plasma mimosine levels observed in the present study (1270-1530 μg/mL) were far higher than those reported by Ghosh et al (2007) in confined cows (25 and 71 μg/mL).…”

“…This agrees with Ghosh et al (2007), who reported intakes of up to 50 % Leucaena in cows without signs of toxicity. Plasma mimosine levels observed in the present study (1270-1530 μg/mL) were far higher than those reported by Ghosh et al (2007) in confined cows (25 and 71 μg/mL). This difference may be explained by the high rumen degradability of L. leucocephala (Miranda et al 2012), especially when ruminants are grazing and thus allowed to select their diet.…”

Growth Performance, Haematological Indices and Some Biochemical Enzymes of Juveniles Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) Fed Varying Levels of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal Diet

“…Similarly, many of these forage trees have not been widely used because they often contain antinutritional compounds that have deleterious effects on animal yield [5,6].…”

A comparative study on mimosine, 3,4-dihydroxy pyridone (3,4-DHP) and 2,3-dihydroxy pyridone (2,3-DHP), purine derivatives (PD) excretion in the urine, thyroid hormone and blood metabolites profiles of Thai swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

“…Multiple purpose trees, such as leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala), have proven to be effective by improving nutrient utilisation, leading to improving nutrient intakes (Majuva-Masafu and Linington 2006), nutrient digestibility and animal performance (Rubanza et al 2005) and lactation (Ghosh et al 2007) and also reduce the use of expensive concentrates (Jetana et al 2011). The farmers who raise buffaloes are not motivated to use this plant.…”