ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Effects of calcium propionate supplementation on lactation performance, energy balance and blood metabolites in early lactation dairy cows

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of calcium propionate (CaP) supplementation on feed intake, milk yield and milk composition, energy balance, blood metabolites and urine ketones in early lactation Holstein dairy cows from 1 to 63 days in milk (DIM), 32 multiparous Holstein dairy cows, blocked by lactation number, previous 305-day milk production, and expected calving date, were arranged into four groups in a randomized block design. Treatments were control, LCaP, MCaP and HCaP with 0, 100, 200 and 300 g calcium propionate per cow per day respectively. The supplement of food grade CaP (99.8% of CaP) was hand-mixed into the top one-third of the daily ration. Cows were fed ad libitum a total mixed ration consisting of equal proportion of forage and concentrate. Feed intake, milk yield and components were not affected by CaP supplementation. The energy balance, expressed as the difference between energy input and output, tended to be higher (p = 0.08) for CaP-supplemented cows during the 63-DIM period, especially during the first 21-DIM lactation. Calcium propionate-supplemented cows showed a trend (p = 0.09) towards less loss of body weight (BW) during the 63-DIM period. Concentrations of glucose in plasma and insulin in serum were higher for cows fed CaP relative to control and linearly (p < 0.01) increased with increasing CaP supplementation. Concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and urine ketones were lower for CaP-supplemented cows at 7, 14 and 21 DIM of lactation and linearly (p < 0.01) decreased with increasing CaP supplementation. These results indicated that nutrient digestibilities and energy status may have been improved.

The effect of calcium propionate supplementation on performance, meat quality, and mRNA expression of finishing steers fed a high-concentrate diet

“…However, the results of current studies indicate that calcium propionate supplementation has inconsistent effects on dry matter intake. Calcium propionate supplementation (200 g · day -1 ) did not affect feed intake in the present study (Table 2), which is consistent with the results in dairy cattle (Beem, 2003;DeFrain et al, 2004;Liu et al, 2009b) and lambs (Lee-Rangel et al, 2012). However, many inconsistent effects of calcium propionate supplementation on dry matter intake have also been reported.…”

Energy efficiency of diet for periparturient dairy cows supplemented with free fatty acids or glucogenic additives

“…In this regard, much attention is given, among others, to the use of energy feed additives in dairy cow diets and to their impact on animal metabolism and performance, as well as on milk composition. Each of gluconeogenic precursors, such as glycerol (51), propylene glycol (28), sodium or calcium salts of propionate (30), has a different route for conversion to glucose. Depending on their type and administration period, energy supplements may contribute to reducing metabolic disturbances during the transition period.…”

“…The feeds were analyzed for the basal nutrient content according to methods approved by AOAC (2). The energy value of 1 kg GA, consisting of propylene glycol and Na-propionate mixed 1 : 1, was calculated as 2.0-2.5 UFL on the basis of the energy value (computed in NE L ) by Miyoshi et al (35) for 1 kg propylene glycol and by Liu et al (30) for Na-propionate, whereas the fatty acids preparation supplied 2.5-3.0 UFL of energy per 1 kg (data not shown).…”

Impact of glucogenic additive in transition dairy cow diets of varying ruminal starch degradability on yield and composition of milk and reproductive parameters

“…In this study the glucogenic preparation did not have any considerable impact on energy expenditure per 1 kg FCM. The energy additives, however, can alleviate a negative energy balance in cows, noted usually at the beginning of lactation (DeFrain et al, 2005;Liu et al, 2010). In the study on mid-lactating dairy cows carried out by Cozzi et al (1996) the average daily gains increased from 64 to 206 and 302 g/ day when 200 or 400 g propylene glycol was added.…”

“…Energy value of 1 kg GA (consisting of propylene glycol and Ca-propionate, mixed 1 : 1) was calculated at 2.0 UFL (Feed Unit for milk production), based on energy value (computed in NE L ) by Myoshi et al (2001) for 1 kg propylene glycol and by Liu et al (2010) for Ca-propionate.…”