Effects of dietary soybean lecithin oil on the immunoglobulin level and fat globule size of milk in lactating sows

Effects of abomasal infusion of soybean or sunflower phospholipids on nutrient digestibility and milk production in lactating dairy cows

The fatty acid (FA) and phospholipid composition of dietary lecithin may influence FA digestibility and milk production in cattle. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (99.4 ± 9.2 d in milk [DIM]; 48.9 ± 3.8 kg milk/d) were enrolled in a 3 × 3 incomplete Latin square design with 3 treatments provided as continuous abomasal infusates spanning 14-d experimental periods: water (CON), soybean phospholipids (SOY; 74.5 g of deoiled soy lecithin), or sunflower phospholipids (SUN; 133.5 g of hydrolyzed sunflower lecithin). Cows were fed the same diet, which contained (% dry matter) 27.0% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 15.6% crude protein (CP), 26.2% starch, and 5.87% FA. Treatments did not modify body weight, milk fat, protein, or lactose contents, or the efficiency of producing energy-corrected milk. Cows infused with SUN had greater milk yields than those receiving SOY or CON treatments. Cows infused with SUN had higher total solids, protein, and lactose yields than cows receiving the SOY or CON treatments. Sunflower phospholipids enhanced feed efficiency (milk yield/dry matter intake) relative to SOY or CON. Treatment did not affect intakes or apparent total-tract digestibilities for NDF, CP, starch, or 16-carbon (16C) FA. Cows receiving SUN had greater total FA and 18-carbon (18C) FA intakes than SOY or CON, but treatments did not impact their digestibility. Milk FA composition was modified by treatment. Cows receiving SUN had a greater concentration of polyunsaturated FA and lower concentrations of saturated FA and monounsaturated FA in milk relative to SOY or CON. In conclusion, the abomasal infusion of SUN improved milk production and milk FA composition, indicating potential benefits for dairy cow nutrition and milk quality.

Effects of Dietary Lysolecithin Supplementation during Late Gestation and Lactation on Sow Reproductive Performance, Sow Blood Metabolic Parameters and Piglet Performance

Simple Summary

Lactation is metabolically very demanding, and sows struggle to eat enough to cover their requirements. Use of lysolecithin can improve energy digestibility and retention and may be able to help sows maintain condition and performance during lactation. In the present study supplementation with lysolecithin reduced backfat loss and increased litter growth. There were also impacts of lysolecithin supplementation on glucose and urea metabolism, indicating improved nutrient digestion and absorption, potentially via leptin-regulated mechanisms.

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of lysolecithin in sows’ diets during the last three weeks of the gestation period and throughout the lactation period on performance and metabolic parameters. In total 60 sows were allocated to two treatments: (a) CG (control group): the sows were fed commercially control diets; (b) LLG (lysolecithin group): the sows were fed the control diets supplemented with 750 g/t of feed supplemented with lysolecithin (Lysoforte Booster Dry^TM, Kemin Europa N.V., Herentals, Belgium). Backfat was lower in LLG than CG at end of gestation and at weaning (p = 0.030 and 0.044, respectively), while the CG sows mobilized more backfat between day 14 to weaning (p = 0.006). Litter weight at weaning was higher in the LLG (p = 0.027). Fasted glucose levels at day 14 of lactation tended to be lower in LLG compared to CG (p = 0.074). Urea concentrations were higher in LLG than CG at day 14 (p = 0.002). Lysolecithin supplemented sows compared to the control mobilized less tissue during lactation to support lactation demands. In conclusion, lysolecithin supplementation in sows resulted in improved litter weight at weaning without an excessive catabolism of backfat tissue, most probably due to an efficient nutrient utilization, which warrants further investigation.

Opinion on the re-evaluation of lecithins (E 322) as a food additive in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age and follow-up of its re-evaluation as food additive for uses in foods for all population groups

Lecithins (E 322) were re-evaluated in 2017 by the former EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient sources added to Food (ANS). As follow-up to that assessment, the Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF) was requested to assess the safety of lecithins (E 322) for uses as food additive in food for infants below 16 weeks of age belonging to food categories 13.1.1 and 13.1.5.1 and as carry over in line with Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. In addition, the FAF Panel was requested to address the issues identified during the re-evaluation of the food additive (E 322). The process involved the publication of a call for data to allow the interested business operators to provide the requested information to complete the risk assessment. Based on the information submitted in response to the call for data, the FAF Panel considered it feasible to amend the EU specifications, in particular for the toxic elements arsenic, lead, mercury and introduce new specifications for cadmium and microbiological criteria. The safety issue identified by the ANS Panel in 2017 concerned potential neurodevelopmental effects. For the reason that choline is a precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, the Panel considered it appropriate to address the safety of lecithins (E 322) as food additive in infant formula used in infants below the age of 16 weeks by comparing the concentration of choline in human milk with that in the formula. The Panel concluded that the intake of lecithins (E 322) as a food additive in infant formula belonging to FC 13.1.1 or in food for special medical purposes belonging to FC 13.1.5.1 does not raise safety concerns up to the maximum permitted level (MPL) of lecithins (E 322).

Effect of increasing dietary energy density during late gestation and lactation on sow performance, piglet vitality, and lifetime growth of offspring

Genetic selection for hyperprolificacy in sows has resulted in a significant increase in the number of piglets born alive per litter but subsequently, decreased piglet vitality and growth. As a consequence, increasing sows' energy intake during lactation to help increase piglet vitality and growth is increasingly important. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing dietary energy density for lactating sows on weight and back-fat changes in sows, milk composition, and vitality and growth of progeny. Gestating sows (N = 100; Large White × Landrace) were randomly assigned to one of four energy dense diets at day 108 of gestation until subsequent service; 13.8 (LL), 14.5 (L), 15.2 (H), and 15.9 MJ DE/kg (HH). All diets contained 1.2% total lysine. Blood samples from sows were taken on day 108 of gestation and at weaning (day 26 of lactation) and colostrum (day 0) and milk samples (day 14) were collected during lactation. Sow lactation feed intakes were recorded daily. The number of piglets born per litter (total and live), piglet birth weight (total and live), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) traits and muscle tone were recorded in piglets at birth. Piglet tympanic ear temperature (TEMP) was recorded at birth and at 24 h. Pigs were weighed on days 1, 6, 14, 26, 33, 40, 54, 75, and 141 of life. Postweaning (PW) pigs were fed standard cereal-based diets. Pig carcass data were collected at slaughter (day 141). Lactation energy intake was higher for HH sows than for all other treatments (P < 0.01). Colostrum and milk composition and lactation feed intake were not affected by treatment. The number of piglets born per litter (total and live) and piglet birthweight (total and live) was similar between treatments. Piglets from LL sows had more IUGR traits (P < 0.01), while those from HH sows had better muscle tone (P < 0.01) than all other treatments. Piglets from LL sows (P < 0.01) and piglets from H sows (P < 0.01) had a higher 24 h TEMP than piglets from HH sows. H sows weaned a greater number of piglets than L sows (P < 0.05) and HH sows (P < 0.01), while L sows weaned lighter litters than H (P < 0.05) and LL sows (P < 0.05). Pig growth PW was unaffected by treatment. High energy dense diets increased energy intake in sows, without depressing appetite. Feeding an HH diet improved piglet muscle tone at birth, whereas feeding an H diet increased litter size at weaning. Inconsistent results were observed for other traits of piglet vitality and for preweaning litter growth performance.

Effect of Soy Lecithin Supplementation in Beef Cows before Calving on Colostrum Composition and Serum Total Protein and Immunoglobulin G Concentrations in Calves

Simple Summary

Until recently, fat supplements were considered merely as a source of energy for cows during transition. However, individual fatty acids included in fat supplements may clearly induce different production and metabolic responses, which in consequence change the nutritional value of bovine colostrum. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the type of fat additive to use in feed ration. This study aimed to determine an effect of soy lecithin supplementation on beef cow’s colostrum composition and selected blood parameters in their calves. Obtained results suggest that soy lecithin addition in cows before calving has a beneficial impact on colostrum composition. This concerns mainly an increase of linoleic acid in colostrum, which may influence IgG activity in calf serum. In turn, higher content of these components in colostrum may contribute to improve calves’ survival rate during the first weeks of their life.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of soy lecithin supplementation in beef cow’s nutrition on colostrum composition and serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and serum total protein (STP) in calves. Twenty pregnant Charolaise cows were assigned to two groups. In the supplementation group (n = 10) during the last four weeks of pregnancy, soy lecithin was administrated in an amount of 20 g/cow/day. In both groups, basic composition (protein, fat, lactose, dry matter), somatic cell count (SCC), total bacteria count (TBC), IgG concentration, and fatty acids profile were determined in colostrum samples. Moreover, STP and IgG concentration were measured in calves’ blood samples on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st days of life, mothered by supplementation and control cows. Animals fed with soy lecithin before calving produced colostrum with a higher (p = 0.049) level of linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6). In addition, these results showed that soy lecithin supplementation has contributed to an increase (p = 0.029) of serum IgG in calves on the 14th day of life. The impact of such change in colostrum on IgG levels on calves serum and their half-life need further analysis.

Timing of initiation and duration of feeding rumen-protected choline affects performance of lactating Holstein cows

Objectives were to evaluate the effects of altering timing of initiating and duration of supplementing rumen-protected choline (RPC) on lactation performance in dairy cows. The hypothesis was that RPC increases yields of milk and milk components, regardless of when supplementation is initiated, and that the effects of supplementing RPC starting prepartum and continuing post-transition would be additive. Cows at 241 ± 2.2 d of gestation were blocked by parity group (49 entering lactation 2, 50 entering lactation >2) and 305-d milk yield and, within block, assigned randomly to 1 of 4 treatments arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with 2 levels of choline in transition, from 21 d pre- to 21 d postpartum, and 2 levels of choline in post-transition, from 22 to 105 d postpartum. The 2 levels of RPC supplemented were either 0 g/d or 12.9 g/d of choline ion fed as 60 g/d of an RPC product that was top-dressed onto the total mixed ration. Thus, treatments were as follows: NN (n = 25): no choline in transition or post-transition; NC (n = 25): no choline in transition and choline in post-transition; CN (n = 25): choline in transition and no choline in post-transition; CC (n = 24): choline in transition and in post-transition. Prepartum, treatments were supplemented (mean ± SD) for the last 18.8 ± 5.7 and 19.2 ± 5.0 d of gestation in treatments with 0 or 12.9 g/d of choline ion, respectively. Supplementing RPC prepartum did not affect dry matter intake (DMI), body weight (BW), or body condition score (BCS) in the last 3 weeks of gestation. Likewise, RPC did not affect the yield or the composition of colostrum. Supplementation with RPC during transition increased fat percent by 0.02 percentage units, fat yield by 0.16 kg/d, and energy-corrected milk (ECM) by 3.1 kg/d in the first 21 d postpartum, and increased fat yield by 0.10 kg/d and ECM by 2.4 kg/d from 22 to 105 d postpartum. Supplementing RPC during transition did not affect DMI postpartum, but it improved feed efficiency, and cows produced 0.11 kg/d more ECM per kg of DMI. Changes in BW and BCS during the first 21 d postpartum did not differ between treatments. Cows fed RPC during transition had more negative net energy balance and 0.1 unit smaller BCS in the first 105 d postpartum than non-supplemented cows. Supplementing RPC in post-transition did not influence productive performance in dairy cows, and choline supplementation during transition or post-transition did not affect measures of reproduction. Collectively, supplementing RPC to supply 12.9 g/d of choline ion benefited productive performance in dairy cows when supplementation occurred during the transition period, but no additional benefit was observed from supplementing RPC past 22 d postpartum.