Addition of oregano or green tea extracts into the diet for Jersey cows in transition period. Feeding and social behavior, intake and health status. Plant extracts for cows in the transition period

The Performance and Metabolism of Dairy Cows Receiving an Ultra-Diluted Complex in the Diet during the Transition Period and Early Lactation

This study evaluated the effects of feeding an ultra-diluted complex to dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation. Thirty multiparous pregnant dairy cows were blocked and randomly assigned to either a placebo control (CON) group or ultra-diluted complex (UD) group. The CON group received a placebo (basal diet + 40 g/cow/day of expanded silicate), while the UD group received the ultra-diluted complex (basal diet + 40 g/cow/day of PeriParto Transição-RealH, composed of ultra-diluted substances + vehicle: expanded silicate). Cows were evaluated from 30 days before the expected calving date until 60 days in milk (DIM) for sample and data collection. Post-partum dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected by the treatment. Cows fed UD had higher DMI relative to BW. Feeding UD increased milk lactose content and decreased milk protein content. Cows fed UD had lower somatic cell counts in the third and fourth week of lactation. Cows fed UD showed a tendency for higher liver health index. Using UD during the transition period and early lactation may benefit liver and udder health of dairy cows with no detrimental effect on milk performance.

Potential benefits of early-life supplementation of liquid feed with fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds or oregano (Origanum vulgare) leaves on growth, health, and blood metabolites in Holstein dairy calves

This study was performed to determine the early-life (first month of age) supplementation of liquid feed with fennel seed powder (FSP) or oregano leaf powder (OLP) on growth performance, health, and blood biochemical attributes in preweaning dairy calves. Holstein female calves (n = 57; 1 d of age; 34.1 ± 0.97 kg of BW; mean ± SE) were assigned randomly to receive liquid feed (colostrum and milk) with no added herbal plants (CON) or supplemented with FSP (3 g/d) or OLP (30 g/d) during the first month of age. The calves received pooled colostrum (4.5 kg/d on the first 2 d of life; total solids = 25.0% ± 1.24; mean ± SD) and then pooled waste milk (6 kg/d from d 3 to 44, 5 kg/d from d 45 to 46, 4 kg/d from d 47 to 48, and 3 kg/d from d 49 to 50 of the trial; total solids = 12.54% ± 0.50) to ensure they receive same mixed liquid feed daily. The calves had unlimited access to the starter feed and fresh water and remained in the study until weaning on d 51 of age. The average mean temperature-humidity index was 70.1 units (ranging between 61.9 to 78.2) during the experiment, indicating a borderline degree of environmental heat-load. The amount of starter feed offered and refused was recorded daily. The calves were weighed immediately after birth and every 10 d thereafter, before the morning feeding. Jugular blood samples were taken immediately before and 24 h after colostrum feeding, at first month of age, and at weaning to quantify serum concentrations of glucose, urea N, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, globulin, aspartate transferase, alanine transferase, total antioxidant status, and malondialdehyde. Health checks including rectal temperature, general appearance (on a 1-5 score system), fecal score (on a 1-5 score system), and bovine respiratory disease (BRD; scored using the University of Wisconsin Calf Health Chart) were performed daily, by a veterinarian who was unaware of the calf treatment allocations, for all calves over the study period. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare growth performance and blood metabolites among treatment groups, and a logistic regression model using a binomial distribution (PROC GLIMMIX, SAS v. 9.4, SAS Institute Inc.) was used to assess the chance of elevated rectal temperature (≥39.4°C), general appearance (≥2), diarrhea (≥3), and BRD. A Poisson regression model (PROC GENMOD) was also used to test group differences in the experience of days with elevated rectal temperature and general appearance, and frequency and duration of diarrhea or BRD. Total nutrient intake (DM, CP, and ME, but not ether extract) originating from milk and starter feed was greater in OLP- (but not FSP-) supplemented calves compared with CON group, being partially associated with difference in milk refusal. Calves receiving FSP and OLP had greater average daily gain, BW gain, skeletal gain (withers height or heart girth, respectively), and feed efficiency compared with CON animals with no difference between FSP and OLP. Rectal temperature was lower in FSP- (but not OLP-) supplemented calves compared with CON animals. The CON animals had a greater chance of experiencing higher rectal temperature (≥39.4°C; odds ratio = 1.55 and confidence interval = 1.12-2.15 and odds ratio = 1.33 and confidence interval = 0.92-1.90, respectively, compared with FSP and OLP) and general appearance (≥2; odds ratio = 1.99 and confidence interval = 1.45-2.74 and odds ratio = 1.45 and confidence interval = 1.03-2.05), and diarrhea (odds ratio = 1.47 and confidence interval = 1.11-1.97 and odds ratio = 1.49 and confidence interval = 1.07-2.08) compared with those receiving FSP or OLP; with the chance of BRD being lower in FSP- (but not OLP-) supplemented versus CON animals (odds ratio = 1.59 and confidence interval = 1.13-2.23). As compared with OLP and CON groups, FSP treatment resulted in shorter days with elevated rectal temperature and general appearance. Supplementing FSP or OLP decreased the duration of diarrhea and BRD but not their frequency compared with CON. Duration of diarrhea was not different between FSP- or OLP-supplemented calves but calves supplemented with FSP had shorter days with BRD compared with OLP-supplemented calves. Of the blood constituents measured on d 30, concentration of aspartate transferase was higher in FSP- (but not CON) versus OLP-supplemented calves, indicating a transient liver tissue damage or dysfunction which was subsequently ameliorated. At weaning, blood concentration of triglycerides was higher in FSP and OLP groups compared with CON group. Supplementation of the liquid feed with FSP or OLP, especially FSP, had beneficial effects on calf growth performance and health. Further experiments are warranted for optimizing the dosage and duration of feeding FSP or OLP as feed additives for dairy calves.

Effect of marker dosage frequency and spot fecal sampling frequency in the prediction accuracy of fecal output using chromic oxide and titanium dioxide in grazing BON steers

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two marker dosage frequencies and two spot fecal sampling frequencies on the variability of fecal output estimation and fecal recovery rate in grazing Blanco Orejinegro (BON) steers with chromium (Cr) or titanium (Ti) as external markers. Four steers (230.5 ± 14.4 kg BW) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design in a split-plot arrangement with two markers: Cr or Ti, two marker dosage frequencies: 10.0 g Cr₂O₃ or TiO₂/steer once daily (DF1) or 5.0 g Cr₂O₃ or TiO₂/steer twice daily (DF2), and two fecal sampling frequencies: spot sampling once daily (SF1) or spot sampling twice daily (SF2). Steers were equipped with fecal collection bags to evaluate the actual fecal output (FO_R). Fecal marker concentration (FMC) was affected by marker dosage frequency × fecal sampling frequency interaction (P = 0.032): SF1DF1 allowed higher FMC (2.26 g/kg DM) than SF2DF1 (1.95 g/kg DM). Chromium marker allowed higher estimated fecal output (FO_e) values when compared to FO_R (P < 0.001). Both Ti mean and SD bias (+ 0.074 ± 0.160 kg) were lower than Cr mean and SD bias (+ 0.312 ± 0.272 kg). The Ti fecal output prediction showed lower both RSR (0.586 vs 1.401) and MSPE (0.029 vs 0.167) than Cr prediction. The titanium external marker allowed fecal output estimation with more accuracy in grazing beef cattle trials. A protocol including a once-daily marker dosage associated with a once-daily fecal sampling is plausible, allowing good fecal recovery rates and accurate fecal output estimation.

An updated review on cattle thermoregulation: physiological responses, biophysical mechanisms, and heat stress alleviation pathways

Heat stress is one of the main obstacles to achieving efficient cattle production systems, and it may have numerous adverse effects on cattle. As the planet undergoes climatic changes, which is predicted to raise the earth's average temperature by 1.5 °C between 2030 and 2052, its impact may trigger several stressful factors for livestock. Among these, an increase in core body temperature would trigger physiological imbalance, consequently affecting reproduction, animal health, and dry matter intake adversely. Core body temperature increase is commonly observed and poses challenges to livestock farmers. In cattle farming, thermal stress severely affects milk production and weight gain, and can compromise food security in the coming years. This review presents an updated approach to the physiological and thermoregulatory responses of cattle under various environmental conditions. Strategies for mitigating the harmful effects of heat stress on livestock are suggested as viable alternatives for the betterment of production systems.

Composition, antioxidant capacity, intestinal, and immunobiological effects of oregano (Lippia palmeri Watts) in goats: preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies

This study investigated Lippia palmeri Watt (oregano) phytochemical compounds, their antioxidant capacity, and immunological effects on goat peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), and on the presence of intermediate polar compounds in goat feces fed dietary oregano. The polar and nonpolar fractions of L. palmeri W. were characterized and phytochemical contents and antioxidant capacity were determined. Twelve healthy Anglo-Nubian goats were used for the in vivo trials, which were randomly assigned to control fed with basal diet, or oregano group fed with basal diet + 2.6% (DM basis) dried oregano leaves. Goat peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) were isolated for the in vitro study, and PBL were stimulated with oregano extracts at 100 and 150 μg/mL after 24 h. For the in vivo trial, dietary oregano (2.6% on DM basis) was evaluated in the goats for 90 days. Relatively high abundance of carvacrol and thymol phytochemical compounds was found in oregano. The highest antioxidant capacity of oregano extracts was detected at 100 and 150 μg/mL. Nitric oxide production, phagocytosis, and superoxide dismutase activities increased (p < 0.05) in stimulated PBL with oregano extracts, whereas the pro-inflammatory (TNF-α and IL-1β) transcription and antioxidant (CAT and GPX-4) genes downregulated. In the in vivo experiment, dietary oregano enabled the detection of nine compounds found in goat feces, from which caproic (C6) was in a high relative quantity compared with the control group. Oregano has phytochemical compounds with strong antioxidant capacity that protect cells against oxidative stress damage and could modulate immune response and feces composition in goats.

New Tricks for Old Guys: Recent Developments in the Chemistry, Biochemistry, Applications and Exploitation of Selected Species from the Lamiaceae Family

Lamiaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants comprising about 250 genera and over 7,000 species. Most of the plants of this family are aromatic and therefore important source of essential oils. Lamiaceae are widely used as culinary herbs and reported as medicinal plants in several folk traditions. In the Mediterranean area oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme and lavender stand out for geographical diffusion and variety of uses. The aim of this review is to provide recent data dealing with the phytochemical and pharmacological studies, and the more recent applications of the essential oils and the non-volatile phytocomplexes. This literature survey suggests how the deeper understanding of biomolecular processes in the health and food sectors as per as pest control bioremediation of cultural heritage, or interaction with human microbiome, fields, leads to the rediscovery and new potential applications of well-known plants.