Nutritionally Directed Compensatory Growth and Effects on Lactation Potential of Developing Heifers

Abstract

Our objective was to determine the extent to which a stair-step compensatory nutrition regimen regulated the growth and subsequent lactation performance of developing beef heifers. Forty crossbred beef (Angus x Gelbvieh) heifer calves were assigned to either a control or stair-step compensatory nutrition regimen. Heifers fed the stair-step compensatory nutrition regimen were fed according to an alternating schedule beginning with a high energy diet (130% of the metabolizable energy recommended by the National Research Council) for 2 mo, followed by an energy restricted diet (70% of the recommended metabolizable energy) for 3 mo, and concluding with the high energy diet again for 2 mo. Thereafter, all heifers received the control diet. The average daily gain of heifers fed the stair-step compensatory nutrition regimen was 2-fold higher than that of control heifers during the final high energy phase. The RNA and protein contents in the mammary tissues of heifers fed the experimental regimen in early lactation were greater than those of control heifers. Lipid content was significantly reduced in the mammary tissues of heifers fed the experimental regimen. The expression of beta-casein in the mammary tissues of heifers fed the experimental regimen was higher than that of the control heifers. Heifers fed the stair-step regimen yielded 6% more milk than did those fed the control regimen. Total protein and casein in milk of heifers fed the experimental regimen were higher than those in milk of control heifers. These results indicate that the stair-step compensatory nutrition regimen enhanced mammary development and subsequent lactation performance.

Nutrition-induced Changes of Growth from Birth to First Calving and Its Impact on Mammary Development and First-lactation Milk Yield in Dairy Heifers: A Review

“…Similarly, nutritional restriction for 91 d followed by realimentation in beef heifers (226 d of age) was associated with increased parenchymal DNA concentrations, suggesting more cells in the mammary parenchymal tissue of these heifers compared with those on ad libitum intake (Yambayamba and Price, 1997). On similar lines, a well controlled nutritional regimen prior to first parturition can significantly affect mammary growth, differentiation, and performance at subsequent lactations (Park et al, 1987; Park et al, 1989; Choi et al, 1997; Park et al, 1998). Taken together, it appears that limit-feeding could be used as an alternative strategy for replacement dairy heifers.…”

Effect of prepartum compensatory nutrition regimen on metabolism and performance of dairy cows

“…Total milk protein was not affected by nutrition regimen during late and early lactation periods. Previous studies with dairy heifers have also shown that SSCN regimens do not alter milk total protein concentration (Park et al, 1989;Choi et al, 1997;Ford and Park, 2001), although milk protein content tended to be higher in beef heifers reared on a SSCN regimen (Park et al, 1998). Furthermore, casein concentration is higher in milk from SSCN heifers than in that from control heifers during the first lactation (Park et al, 1998;Ford and Park, 2001).…”

“…The inconsistency in milk yield among the current study and those prior is probably due to the parity of the cow and the type and timing of the SSCN model. For example, heifers raised on complex stairstep nutrition regimens have permanent hyperplasia of mammary tissues that directly affect lactation (Park et al, 1989;Choi et al, 1997;Park et al, 1998). Therefore, any milk yield response in multiparous cows is likely due to metabolic factors rather than increased functional activity of the mammary gland.…”

The effect of pre- and post-pubertal feeding levels on the growth, reproduction, and future milk production of Simmental dairy heifers

“…This feeding method resulted in higher milk, fat, protein, and lactose production by heifers and better efficiency of nutrients per kg milk production. It can be supposed that the lower level of energy fed to milk type Simmental heifers as in Groups A and B than given in IZ-INRA (2001) standards results in better development of secretory tissue and lower fatness of the mammary gland in heifers (Stelwagen and Grive, 1990;Park et al, 1998;Strzetelski et al, 2004).…”