Effect of yeast-based selenium on blood progesterone, metabolites and milk yield in Achai dairy cows

Effects of nanoselenium supplementation on lactation performance, nutrient digestion and mammary gland development in dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of nanoselenium (NANO-Se) addition on milk production, milk fatty acid synthesis, the development and metabolism regulation of mammary gland in dairy cows. Forty-eight Holstein dairy cows averaging 720 ± 16.8 kg of body weight, 66.9 ± 3.84 d in milk (dry matter intake [DIM]) and 35.2 ± 1.66 kg/d of milk production were divided into four treatments blocked by DIM and milk yields. Treatments were control group, low-Se (LSe), medium-Se (MSe) and high-Se (HSe) with 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg Se, respectively, from NANO-Se per kg dietary dry matter (DM). Production of energy- and fat-corrected milk (FCM) and milk fat quadratically increased (p < 0.05), while milk lactose yields linearly increased (p < 0.05) with increasing NANO-Se addition. The proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) linearly decreased (p < 0.05), while proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) linearly increased and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) quadratically increased. The digestibility of dietary DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) quadratically increased (p < 0.05). Ruminal pH quadratically decreased (p < 0.01), while total VFA linearly increased (p < 0.05) with increasing NANO-Se addition. The acetic to propionic ratio decreased (p < 0.05) linearly due to the unaltered acetic molar percentage and a quadratical increase in propionic molar percentage. The activity of CMCase, xylanase, cellobiase and pectinase increased linearly (p < 0.05) following NANO-Se addition. The activity of α-amylase increased linearly (p < 0.01) with an increase in NANO-Se dosage. Blood glucose, total protein, estradiol, prolactin, IGF-1 and Se linearly increased (p < 0.05), while urea nitrogen concentration quadratically decreased (p = 0.04). Moreover, the addition of Se at 0.3 mg/kg from NANO-Se promoted (p < 0.05) mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ, SREBP1, ACACA, FASN, SCD, CCNA2, CCND1, PCNA, Bcl-2 and the ratios of p-ACACA/ACACA and BCL2/BAX4, but decreased (p < 0.05) mRNA and protein expressions of Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9. The results suggest that milk production and milk fat synthesis increased by NANO-Se addition by stimulating rumen fermentation, nutrients digestion, gene and protein expressions concerned with milk fat synthesis and mammary gland development.

Interaction of blood calcium with milk yield, energy metabolites, subclinical mastitis, and reproductive performance in crossbred dairy cows

Limited literature is available on the consequences of postpartum low blood calcium (Ca) concentration in crossbred cows. The research aimed to investigate the correlation between postpartum serum Ca levels and various parameters, including milk yield, serum energy metabolites, milk somatic cell count, and reproductive factors in crossbred cows. Following parturition, a total of 45 potential high-yielding F2 (HF × Sahiwal; Genotype: 75:25) dairy cows were enrolled . These cows were categorized based on plasma calcium concentrations into three groups: a low calcium group (Ca-L) with a calcium concentration of <5 mg/dL, a medium calcium group (Ca-M) with a calcium concentration ranging from 5 to 8.5 mg/dL, and a high calcium group (Ca-H) with a calcium concentration exceeding 8.5 mg/dL. The study parameters were measured over an 8-week period. The results indicated that overall milk yield and blood glucose were significantly higher in the Ca-H group compared to Ca-M and Ca-L (p < .01). Blood cholesterol was significantly higher in Ca-M (p < .01), while blood triglyceride was significantly lower in both Ca-M and Ca-H. Overall, blood cortisol did not show a significant change between these groups (p < .01); however, progesterone levels were higher (p < .01) in Ca-M and Ca-H cows. Furthermore, somatic cell count (SCC) significantly (p < .01) decreased in cows with Ca-H compared to Ca-L. Additionally, postpartum oestrous interval and interestrus interval decreased significantly (p < .01) in Ca-M and Ca-H compared to Ca-L. These findings suggest that cows with blood calcium levels exceeding 8.5 mg/dL exhibited significantly higher milk yield, blood metabolite levels, a lower likelihood of subclinical mastitis, and earlier reproductive activity after calving.

Evaluation of blood minerals and oxidative stress changing pattern in prepartum and postpartum Achai and Holstein Friesian dairy cows

This research focused on evaluating blood mineral levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) as an indicator of oxidative stress before and after giving birth in Achai and Holstein Friesian (HF) dairy cows. Blood samples were obtained from a total of 50 cows representing both breeds on the third, second, and first week prior to calving, as well as on the day of calving (day 0). Subsequently, samples were collected on the 1-3 weeks postpartum to allow a comprehensive evaluation of blood parameters throughout the peripartum period. Results showed a significant (p < .01) decrease in serum zinc (Zn) levels on the day of parturition in both breeds. Additionally, HF cows exhibited higher (p < .01) Zn levels on week 2 before giving birth. Interestingly, blood selenium (Se) concentration increased (p < .01) in HF cows on weeks 2 and 3 after calving. In contrast, Achai cows showed a rise (p < .01) in blood Se on week 3 of parturition. Blood copper (Cu) levels were higher (p < .01) on weeks 2 and 3 after parturition in HF cows and on third week before parturition compared to Achai cows, where serum Cu remained high on week 1 of parturition. The findings indicated that blood magnesium (Mg) was higher (p < .01) on third week before parturition in Achai cows and on weeks 2 and 3 after parturition. Serum calcium (Ca) was higher (p < .01) in both HF and Achai cows on weeks 2 and 3 after parturition, and lower (p < .01) on third week before giving birth in both breeds. The mean blood MDA levels in Achai cows were lower (p < .01) on weeks 1 to 3 postpartum or 3 weeks before giving birth. In HF cows, serum MDA increased (p < .01) just before 2 weeks of parturition and remained elevated until 3 weeks of parturition. Thus, both breeds exhibited a similar pattern of mineral fluctuations; yet, Achai cows demonstrated greater resilience to oxidative stress compared to HF cows during the transition period.

Association among Metabolic Status, Oxidative Stress, Milk Yield, Body Condition Score and Reproductive Cyclicity in Dairy Buffaloes

The aim of this study was to determine the metabolic status, stress and ovarian activity through progesterone profile in dairy buffalo as influenced by post‐partum days, body condition score (BCS) and lactation number. A total of 45 dairy buffaloes were involved and divided into three factors based on their BCS (2.5, 3.0 and 3.5, respectively), lactation number (1, 2 and 3, respectively), and post‐partum intervals (14, 28, 42 and 56, respectively). Based on findings, from day 14 to day 56 after parturition, blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels increased significantly (p < .01), while malondialdehyde (MDA) and cortisol levels decreased significantly (p < .05) on day 56 of the trial. With increased BCS levels, milk yield, blood metabolites and progesterone improved significantly (p < .05), whereas stress indicators decreased significantly (p < .01). Blood metabolites, progesterone and milk production were significantly (p < .01) higher and stress indicators (MDA and cortisol) were significantly (p < .01) lower in lactation stage. Buffaloes with a greater lactation stage and growing post‐partum stage had better blood metabolite and progesterone concentrations and less stress. It was concluded that better BCS and increased lactation stage have significant impact on milk yield, stress reduction and restoration of ovarian activity in buffaloes during post‐partum period.

Revisiting the Effects of Different Dietary Sources of Selenium on the Health and Performance of Dairy Animals: a Review

Selenium (Se) is one of the most important essential trace elements in livestock production. It is a structural component in at least 25 selenoproteins such as the iodothyronine deiodinases and thioredoxin reductases as selenocysteine at critical positions in the active sites of these enzymes. It is also involved in the synthesis of the thyroid hormone and influences overall body metabolism. Selenium being a component of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme also plays a key role in the antioxidant defense system of animals. Dietary requirements of Se in dairy animals depend on physiological status, endogenous Se content, Se source, and route of administration. Most of the dietary Se is absorbed through the duodenum in ruminants and also some portion through the rumen wall. Inorganic Se salts such as Na-selenate and Na-selenite have shown lower bioavailability than organic and nano-Se. Selenium deficiency has been associated with reproductive disorders such as retained placenta, abortion, early embryonic death, and infertility, together with muscular diseases (like white muscle disease and skeletal and cardiac muscle necrosis). The deficiency of Se can also affect the udder health particularly favoring clinical and subclinical mastitis, along with an increase of milk somatic cell counts in dairy animals. However, excessive Se supplementation (5 to 8 mg/kg DM) can lead to acute toxicity including chronic and acute selenosis. Se is the most vital trace element for the optimum performance of dairy animals. This review focuses to provide insights into the comparative efficacy of different forms of dietary Se (inorganic, organic, and nano-Se) on the health and production of dairy animals and milk Se content.

Effect of zeolite supplementation on the dynamics of some trace elements and pigmentation of rumen in growing lambs

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding complete feed as total mixed ration (TMR) with two levels of zeolite on copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) status and rumen color of growing Naemi lambs. Twenty-four growing lambs (25 ± 2.1 kg body weight) were individually kept in separate pens with ad libitum feed and water. The lambs were randomly distributed to three treatments as follow: control, TMR diet only; T1, TMR with 1% zeolite daily; T2, TMR with 2% zeolite daily. The trial was lasted for 56 days. Four lambs from each treatment were slaughtered and tissue (liver, kidney, meat, and rumen tissues) and rumen fluid samples were collected. A significantly (P < 0.05) high concentration of Fe was found in T2 in blood and rumen fluid samples of lambs supplemented with zeolite. In the meat tissue, significantly (P < 0.05) high concentration of Zn was found in the treatment groups compared with the control, while Cu concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in T1. In addition, rumen dark color was reduced in the zeolite-supplemented groups. We concluded that supplementation of zeolite at the rate of 1 or 2% did not appear to have any adverse effects on the blood profile of trace elements. Moreover, under these two levels of zeolite, discoloration of the rumen was significantly reduced in response to the supplementation of zeolite.