Effects of dietary Zeolite supplementation on milk yield and composition and blood minerals status in lactating dairy cows

Effect of Anionic and Zeolite Supplements and Oral Calcium Bolus in Prepartum Diets on Feed Intake, Milk Yield and Milk Compositions, Plasma Ca Concentration, Blood Metabolites and the Prevalence of Some Reproductive Disorders in Fresh Dairy Cows

Hypocalcaemia is an important disorder associated with an increased risk of metabolic diseases, and many studies have been going on for decades. This study investigated the effects of anionic and zeolite with an oral Ca bolus in the prepartum phase on milk yields and compositions, and plasma Ca concentrations, blood metabolites and the prevalence of some reproductive disorders in dairy cows after parturition. Ninety pregnant non-lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were randomly assigned to three isoenergetic diets and their counterparts using an oral Ca bolus: (1) Control (CON): low Ca (0.44%); (2) Anionic (ANI): high Ca (1.00%); (3) Zeolite (ZEO): low Ca (0.44%). The feed and energy intakes of the CON and ZEO groups were higher than the ANI group. The raw milk yield, Pr%, and feed efficiency did not differ between the groups, while the corrected milk yield, fat% and total corrected milk yield at 305 days differed between groups. Total plasma and the ionized Ca concentration of the ANI and ZEO groups, at calving time and in 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after that, were higher than in the CON group. The frequencies of hypocalcaemia and reproductive disorders in the ANI and ZEO groups were lower than in the CON. The blood metabolite levels in the CON group were higher than in other groups. In conclusion, the ANI and ZEO diets and their counterparts supplemented with an oral Ca bolus improved the milk production traits, plasma calcium and metabolites concentration and also effectively prevented reproductive disorders.

Vermikom feed additive effects on dairy cows' blood and milk parameters

Background and Aim:

Dairy cattle breeding plays a significant role in providing the population with high-quality, reasonably priced goods. The development of this industry and its effectiveness depends on the proper use of available feed products. Feed additives (FAs), as a rule, should compensate for missing elements in the diet. This study aimed to determine the effect of the FA Vermikom on blood parameters, as well as milk physicochemical and mineral composition and yield in lactating dairy cows.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 30 Holstein cows, with an average weight of 650±5 kg, were randomly divided into three groups of 10. Over a period of 5 months, each group was fed one of three diets: Mixed main diet without supplements (control), main diet supplemented with 2% Vermikom, and main diet supplemented with 4% Vermikom.

Results:

Hematological parameters, productivity, and physicochemical and mineral composition of milk from animals provided the FA Vermikom were higher than those of the control group. In the Vermikom groups, the hemoglobin content was higher by 5.75%, calcium by an average of 10.8%, and total protein by 2.5%. The average daily milk yield was also higher by 8.4% than the control group. Regarding the mineral composition of the milk, the content of calcium, phosphorus, and iron exceeded that of the control on average by 2.9%, 3.4%, and 14.8%, respectively.

Conclusion:

We propose introducing 4% Vermikom into the diet of dairy cows based on the study results. Future research will expand our knowledge regarding cows’ needs for all recommended nutrients, thereby improving animal productivity and milk quality. The results obtained contribute to further expanding the food base of animal husbandry in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Major Nutritional Metabolic Alterations Influencing the Reproductive System of Postpartum Dairy Cows

Early successful conception of postpartum dairy cows is crucial in determining the optimum reproductive efficiency and profitability in modern dairy farming. Due to the inherent high production potential of modern dairy cows, the extra stress burden of peri-parturient events, and associated endocrine and metabolic changes causes negative energy balance (NEBAL) in postpartum cows. The occurrence of NEBAL is associated with excessive fat mobilization in the form of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs). The phenomenon of NEFA mobilization furthers with occurrence of ketosis and fatty liver in postpartum dairy cows. High NEFAs and ketones are negatively associated with health and reproductive processes. An additional burden of hypocalcemia, ruminal acidosis, and high protein metabolism in postpartum cows presents further consequences for health and reproductive performance of postpartum dairy cows. This review intends to comprehend these major nutritional metabolic alterations, their mechanisms of influence on the reproduction process, and relevant mitigation strategies.

Integrated Metabolomics and Proteomics Dynamics of Serum Samples Reveals Dietary Zeolite Clinoptilolite Supplementation Restores Energy Balance in High Yielding Dairy Cows

Dairy cows can suffer from a negative energy balance (NEB) during their transition from the dry period to early lactation, which can increase the risk of postpartum diseases such as clinical ketosis, mastitis, and fatty liver. Zeolite clinoptilolite (CPL), due to its ion-exchange property, has often been used to treat NEB in animals. However, limited information is available on the dynamics of global metabolomics and proteomic profiles in serum that could provide a better understanding of the associated altered biological pathways in response to CPL. Thus, in the present study, a total 64 serum samples were collected from 8 control and 8 CPL-treated cows at different time points in the prepartum and postpartum stages. Labelled proteomics and untargeted metabolomics resulted in identification of 64 and 21 differentially expressed proteins and metabolites, respectively, which appear to play key roles in restoring energy balance (EB) after CPL supplementation. Joint pathway and interaction analysis revealed cross-talks among valproic acid, leucic acid, glycerol, fibronectin, and kinninogen-1, which could be responsible for restoring NEB. By using a global proteomics and metabolomics strategy, the present study concluded that CPL supplementation could lower NEB in just a few weeks, and explained the possible underlying pathways employed by CPL.

Relationships among Macro-Minerals, Other Selected Serum Markers of Bone Profile and Milk Components of Dairy Cows During Late Lactation

Testing blood and milk parameters as well as analysing the relationships among these markers is very useful for monitoring the internal homeostasis and health in high-yielding dairy cows during various production periods. The aim of the study was to assess the correlations (relationships) among macro-minerals, such as calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), other selected bone profile markers, such as total protein (TP), albumin, activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) measured in serum and selected milk components such as number of somatic cells (SCC), colony-forming units (CFU), milk fat (MF), milk protein (MP), milk lactose (ML), solids, solids non-fat (SNF) and milk production in late-lactation cows. Both blood and milk samples were collected from 11 clinically healthy milking cows during the late-lactation period. The cows were examined once a day for 3 consecutive days resulting in 33 sets of blood and milk samples for laboratory and statistical analysis. Significant correlations were observed between: Mg and MP, Mg and SNF, ALP and SCC, TP and SCC, TP and MP, TP and SNF, albumin and MP, albumin and SNF, P and Mg, Mg and albumin, and between TP and albumin. When monitoring macro-mineral homeostasis and mammary gland health, especially in intensively fed high-yielding dairy cows correlations between these markers should be considered. The revealed correlations can allow for deeper comparative laboratory diagnostics of homeostasis and can be especially useful for laboratory monitoring of the potential risk of subclinical macro-mineral deficiency in high-yielding dairy cows.

Effects of oral supplementation with organically modified clinoptilolite during prepartum period on colostrum quality in primiparous dairy cows

This research paper addresses the hypothesis that an oral supplementation with organically modified clinoptilolite will improve colostrum quality in primiparous dairy cows whilst having no adverse effects on the cows' health. A total of 36 pregnant Holstein primiparous dairy cattle were randomly assigned to receive daily oral drenching, two hours following morning feeding, with 1 l of water containing either 0 g/l (n = 16) or 150 g/l (n = 20) of clinoptilolite. Treatment lasted from 24 ± 4 d prior to expected parturition until two days postpartum (pp). Colostrum was collected at 2 to 3 h, 12, 24 and 36 h pp and blood samples were collected at 24 ± 4 and 4 ± 2 d prior to parturition and 1, 2 and 7 d pp. Overall mean dry matter, fat and total protein percentage as well as IgG concentration and mass were significantly greater in colostrum collected from cattle drenched with clinoptilolite (total protein increased by 15% and IgG concentration and mass by 21 and 38% respectively at first sampling and further at second sampling). Total γ globulin and most other blood serum biochemistry parameters did not differ between cattle treated and not treated with clinoptilolite, the only exception being the fast anionic γ globulin fraction that was 17% greater at 4 ± 2 d prior to parturition and 10% lower on the 1st day pp in treated cattle. These results showed that organically modified oral clinoptilolite supplementation at 150 g/d significantly increases the IgG concentration in colostrum and has no adverse effects on the energy status, protein, lipid, and mineral metabolism in primiparous dairy cattle during prepartum period.

Review: Endocrine pathways to regulate calcium homeostasis around parturition and the prevention of hypocalcemia in periparturient dairy cows

Calcium homeostasis is crucial for the normal function of the organism. Parathyroid hormone, calcitriol and calcitonin play critical roles in the homeostatic regulation of calcium. Serotonin and prolactin have also been shown to be involved in the regulation of calcium homeostasis. In modern dairy cows, the endocrine pathways controlling calcium homeostasis during non-lactating and non-pregnant physiological states are unable to fully support the increased demand of calcium required for milk synthesis at the onset of lactation. This review describes different endocrine systems associated with the regulation of calcium homeostasis in mammalian species around parturition with special focus on dairy cows. Additionally, classic and novel strategies to reduce the incidence of hypocalcemia in parturient dairy cows are discussed.