The effect of dietary supplementation with Aurantiochytrium limacinum on lactating dairy cows in terms of animal health, productivity and milk composition

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich microalgae, Aurantiochytrium limacinum (AURA), on a variety of health and productivity parameters in lactating cows. Twenty-four cows were blocked by parity and number of days in milk and then randomly assigned to a control (CON; n = 12) group with no algal supplementation, or a treatment group (AURA; n = 12) provided with 100 g AURA cow day or 16 g DHA cow day . A variety of health and productivity measurements were taken, and results indicated that supplementation had no negative effects on animal health in terms of somatic cell count, haematological and biochemical blood parameters, while body condition was marginally improved by algal supplementation. No differences were found for the various production parameters measured; however, a tendency towards increased milk production was observed for the AURA group during the final stage of the study (+4.5 kg cow day , day 78-84). The fatty acid profile of milk was improved by supplementation, with significantly lower saturated fatty acids, significantly higher omega-3 fatty acids and an improved omega-3/omega-6 ratio observed when compared to the control group. The amount of DHA in the milk of cows provided 105 g AURA head day was 4.7 mg/100 g milk with a peak transfer efficiency from feed to milk at day 49 of 8.3%. These results indicate that supplementation with 105 g AURA head day resulted in the successful enrichment of milk with DHA without negatively impacting the health or productivity of the animals.

Effect of marine algae supplementation on the fatty acid profile of milk of dairy goats kept indoor and on pasture

“…Previously, Moran et al (2017a) found that DHA concentration and conservation efficiency from algae to milk dramatically raised up to 20% during 21 days, then reached the plateau (between 21-22%) 7 days later. In contrast, Moran et al (2017b) found higher average efficiencies ratio (7 and 18%) in dairy cows fed Aurantiochytrium limacinum enriched fodder (105 or 146 g/day/cow) during the 12-week treatment. Other study reported that transfer efficiency was 8.9 in cows fed 125-375 g/day marine algae (Moate et al, 2013).…”

Nannochloropsis oceanica, a novel natural source of rumen-protected eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) for ruminants

“…Nevertheless, the effects of supplementing microalgae biomass to ruminants on the biohydrogenation of C18 FA, as well as its effects on milk fat depression have been little studied. In fact, the only study available seems to be with lactating dairy cows fed Aurantiochytrium limacinum biomass, a DHA-rich microalga, where no effects on milk fat depression, as well as on health and productivity parameters, were found 49 . As far as we know there are no studies of the inclusion of P. tricornutum or N. oceanica biomass in dairy ruminants.…”

Tolerance of Broilers to Dietary Supplementation with High Levels of the DHA-Rich Microalga, Aurantiochytrium Limacinum: Effects on Health and Productivity

“…has been shown to increase the DHA content of broiler meat [ 13 ], while maintaining consumer acceptability without reducing shelf life [ 14 ]. Aurantiochytrium limacinum, a related microalgae, when grown heterotrophically on a low-sodium medium has also been shown to increase the DHA content of cows’ milk [ 15 , 16 ], of pig muscle tissue [ 17 , 18 ], and hens’ eggs [ 19 ].…”