Blood urea nitrogen may serve as a predictive indicator of retained placenta in dairy cows

Alteration of Fecal Microbiota, Fecal Metabolites, and Serum Metabolites in Dairy Cows with Pre-Retained Placenta

Retained placenta (RP) affects lactation and fertility in dairy cows and causes economic losses to the dairy industry. Therefore, screening for early warning of this disease is important. This study used multi omics techniques to reveal the metabolic differences of dairy cows before RP onset and to find potential warning markers. Fecal samples and serum samples of 90 healthy Holstein cows were collected 7 days pre-calving; 10 healthy and 10 RP cows were enrolled according to normal expulsion of fetal membranes after calving. Fecal samples were subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis, while plasma was analyzed using targeted metabolomics. Pathogenic bacteria levels increased in the intestines of cows with RP compared to those in healthy cows. Lipid metabolites constituted the largest proportion of differential metabolites between feces and plasma. Six potential warning markers for RP in cows were identified, including two fecal microbiomics markers (Oscillospiraceae UCG-005 and Escherichia-Shigella), one fecal untargeted metabolomics marker (N-acetylmuramic acid), and three plasma targeted metabolomics markers (glycylcholic acid-3 sulfate, 7-ketolithocholic acid, and 12-ketolithocholic acid). These biomarkers can predict RP occurrence in the early perinatal period. These results lay a theoretical foundation for early nutritional intervention and pathogenesis research in dairy cows.

Financial losses related to placental retention in dairy herds in Turkey

ABSTRACT This study aimed to calculate the financial losses related to placental retention (PR) in dairy cattle in Turkey taking into consideration the previous study results in three different geographical regions and 87 herds of Turkey. The mean prevalence of PR in dairy herds was assumed to be 5.6% (4.1-6.7%). Direct (milk losses, treatment, and involuntary culling) and indirect losses (extended calving interval and extra insemination) were calculated. In the financial analysis, direct and indirect losses were calculated according to the current prices of 2022. As a result, the financial losses per infected dairy cattle were estimated at $ 249.7 (624 Lt milk eq.). A total of 67.7% ($173) of these resulted from direct losses, and the remainder 32.3% ($82.5), were indirect losses. PR was responsible for a total of $92 million (ranged from $67-110 million) losses, which equates to 1.2% (0.8-1.14%) of the annual milk production in Turkey. In conclusion, magnitude of PR-related losses will provide evidence-based decision support to the farmers and policymakers when determining the priorities for disease mitigation and control strategies.

A preliminary study on the possibility of fermented pineapple peel residue partially replacing whole corn silage in feeding Chuanzhong black goats

This study aims to assess the effects of the partial replacement of whole corn silage (WCS) with fermented pineapple peel residue (FPPR) on growth, serological parameters, muscle quality, rumen microorganisms, and fecal microorganisms. A total of 24 Chuanzhong black goats weighing 10.23 ± 1.42 kg were evaluated in a randomized complete trial design in accordance with the following treatments: (1) 0% FPPR in the diet, (2) 25% FPPR in the diet, and (3) 50% FPPR in the diet. In goats, the partial substitution of FPPR for WCS increased the abundance of probiotics, such as Blautia, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and Ruminococcus albus, and did not exert significant effects on overall serological parameters and muscle quality. In conclusion, the partial substitution of FPPR for WCS in the diet did not impair or affect the productive performance of goats.

Latest update on predictive indicators, risk factors, and 'Omic' technologies research of retained placenta in dairy cattle- review article

Retained placenta is a pathological condition defined as failure to expel fetal membranes within 12 -24h after parturition. It instigates important financial losses to the dairy industry causing considerable economic loss. It is a multifactorial disorder. Although different hypotheses have been proposed, contradictory results and no single factor explains the development of the disease. This indicates that there are overall significant gaps in our knowledge about the various factors affecting the etiopathology and pathobiology of the retained placenta. Thus, it will be of great interest to investigate the potential contributing factors that influence the occurrence of RP which provide us with the mechanisms to avoid the occurrence of the disease. In addition, different predictive indicators of RP should be part of our research, thus providing the essential procedures applied to deal with the disease and the development of novel therapeutic and prophylactic strategies in its management. Furthermore, lately, the molecular role takes attention to understanding its effect in the occurrence of the disease. Such information might help dairy scientists in the future to design better management and preventive practices for RP in dairy cows.

Plasma Metabolomics Reveals Pathogenesis of Retained Placenta in Dairy Cows

The complex etiology and pathogenesis of retained placenta (RP) bring huge challenges for researchers and clinical veterinarians in investigating the pathogenesis and treatment schedule. This study aims to investigate the pathogenesis of RP in dairy cows by plasma metabolomics. As subjects, 10 dairy cows with RP and 10 healthy dairy cows were enrolled according to strict enrollment criteria. Imbalanced antioxidant capacity, reduced Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio, and deregulation of total bilirubin (T-bil), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and reproductive hormones were shown in dairy cows with RP by detecting biochemical indicators, oxidation and antioxidant markers, and cytokines in serum. Plasma metabolites were detected and analyzed by a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) system coupled with multivariate statistical analysis software. A total of 23 potential biomarkers were uncovered in the plasma of dairy cows with RP. The metabolic pathways involved in these potential biomarkers are interconnected, and the conversion, utilization, and excretion of nitrogen were disturbed in dairy cows with RP. Moreover, these potential biomarkers are involved in the regulation of antioxidant capacity, inflammation, and autocrine or paracrine hormone. All of these findings suggest that an imbalance of these potential biomarkers might be responsible for the imbalanced antioxidant capacity, reduced Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio, and deregulation of reproductive hormones in dairy cows with RP. The regulation of metabolic pathways involved in these potential biomarkers represents a promising therapeutic strategy for RP.

Empirical Evaluation and Prediction of Protein Requirements for Maintenance and Growth of 18-24 Months Old Thai Swamp Buffaloes

Simple Summary

Thai swamp buffalo is a domesticated swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) which has a functional significance for the livestock production system and for the economic benefit of Thailand. For instance, meat supply derived from Thai swamp buffalo is a secondary consideration in recently years. Therefore, there is mounting interest concerning the regulation of the nutrient requirements of Thai swamp buffalo to optimize their production. However, no systematic report is available on the nutrient requirements of the growing Thai swamp buffalo. This study investigates and predicts protein requirement systems that can provide an abundant energy intake and can be included in the 18–24 months old Thai swamp buffalo’s diet, as well as supply the recommended amount of net nitrogen or crude protein requirement to optimize their growth and maintenance. Protein requirement, nutrient utilization, and microorganism profile are included to corroborate the influences mentioned.

Abstract

In some geographical areas and in certain breeding situations, the interpretation of increased gain in the bovine is difficult to investigate. Due to their inherent genetic variations, their energy and protein needs vary as a function of inherent genetic differences, making these requirements difficult to accurately assess in bull species, e.g., Thai swamp buffalo. The study aimed at investigating and predicting protein requirement systems, by the provision of an abundant energy intake of 2.2 Mcal/kg DM for the maintenance and growth of Thai swamp buffaloes using a comparative prolonged feeding trial for 90 days. Sixteen bull Thai swamp buffaloes at the initial (Age: 18–24 months; BW: 233 ± 25.0 kg) were assigned into four treatment groups, four buffaloes each, fed 5.4, 6.6, 8.5, and 10.5% DM crude protein (CP). CP intake, BW, and physiological fluid were determined. The net CP requirements for maintenance and growth of Thai swamp buffaloes were 5.41 g CP/kg W^0.75 and 0.46 g CP/g average daily gain (ADG), respectively. Our results indicated that CP requirement increases when the BW increases. An increased dietary CP resulted in increased amounts of blood urine nitrogen (N), N absorption, total volatile fatty acid, urinary purine derivative, and the microbial N. Notably, the net CP requirement for growth of Thai swamp buffalo was higher than it reported in NRC, but the maintenance was lower.