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Chen L, Thorup VM, Kudahl AB, Østergaard S. Effects of heat stress on feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, and feed efficiency in dairy cows: A meta-analysis. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:3207-3218. [PMID: 38101736 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Heat stress compromises dairy production by decreasing feed intake and milk yield, and it may also alter milk composition and feed efficiency. However, little information is available for evaluating such effects across different levels of heat stress and cows enrolled in heat stress studies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of heat stress on dry matter intake (DMI), energy-corrected milk (ECM), milk composition, and feed efficiency (kg ECM/kg DMI) and to investigate the relationship between such effects and heat stress intervention and animal characteristics by using meta-analytical approaches. Data from 31 studies (34 trials) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were used for analysis. Results showed that heat stress decreased DMI, ECM, and milk protein concentration, but did not alter milk fat concentration or feed efficiency. Meta-regression confirmed that such reductions in DMI and ECM were significantly associated with increasing temperature-humidity index (THI). Over the period of heat stress, for each unit increase in THI, DMI and ECM decreased by 4.13% and 3.25%, respectively, in mid-lactation cows. Regression models further revealed the existence of a strong interaction between THI and lactation stage, which partially explained the large heterogeneity in effect sizes of DMI and ECM. The results indicated a need for more research on the relationship between the effect of heat stress and animal characteristics. This study calls for the implementation of mitigation strategies in heat-stressed herds due to the substantial decrease in productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Chen
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Tjele 8830, Denmark.
| | - V M Thorup
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Tjele 8830, Denmark
| | - A B Kudahl
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Tjele 8830, Denmark
| | - S Østergaard
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Tjele 8830, Denmark
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Malik MI, Bilal M, Anwar MZ, Hassan T, Rashid MA, Tarla D, Dunshea FR, Cheng L. Effects of betaine supplementation on dry matter intake, milk characteristics, plasma non-esterified fatty acids, and β-hydroxybutyric acid in dairy cattle: a meta-analysis. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae241. [PMID: 39155798 PMCID: PMC11398911 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Betaine supplementation in dairy cattle has gained attention due to its potential benefits to production and health as a methyl donor, which can play a crucial role in the metabolism of dairy cows. The objective of the current meta-analysis was to quantify the effects of betaine supplementation on milk production, composition, β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). A systematic literature search was carried out, all relevant studies were retrieved, and the meta-analysis was carried out. The mean difference (MD) for dry matter intake (DMI) using the random-effects model was 0.499 kg/d (P < 0.0001). The subgroup analysis indicated that supplementing betaine in heat-stressed cows increased DMI by 0.584 kg/d (P < 0.001), while in cows not exposed to heat stress, DMI was increased by 0.381 kg/d (P = 0.007). The energy-corrected milk (ECM) increased by 1.36 kg/d (P < 0.0001). The milk fat yield was significantly increased in betaine-supplemented cows (MD = 0.040 kg/d, 95% CI = 0.015 to 0.065). The milk protein yield (kg/d) (MD = 0.014, P = 0.138) was increased (MD = 0.035, P = 0.0005) by betaine supplementation. The lactose yield (kg/d) was also significantly higher (MD = 0.055, P = 0.020) in betaine-supplemented cows. The standardized mean difference (SMD) for NEFA (SMD = - 0.447, 95% CI = - 1.029 to 0.135, P = 0.114) and BHBA (SMD = - 0.130, 95% CI = - 0.491 to 0.234). In conclusion, the findings from this meta-analysis suggest that betaine supplementation positively influences DMI, ECM, milk fat yield, milk lactose yield, and milk protein yield. Subgroup analysis further indicated that the positive effects on DMI are greater in heat-stressed cows compared to those not exposed to heat stress. The analysis did not find significant effects on the levels of NEFA or BHBA, suggesting that betaine supplementation may not directly influence these metabolic parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad I Malik
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095, Italy
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - M Z Anwar
- Department of Livestock Production, PMAS, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 10370, Pakistan
| | - Talal Hassan
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095, Italy
| | - Muhammad A Rashid
- Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Divine Tarla
- School of Agriculture, Food, and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Dookie Campus, Victoria 3647, Australia
| | - Frank R Dunshea
- School of Agriculture, Food, and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, The University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Long Cheng
- School of Agriculture, Food, and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Dookie Campus, Victoria 3647, Australia
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Hussain Z, Iqbal Z, Roohi N, Khan S. Effect of betaine supplementation on production performance and serum antioxidant indices of Nili-Ravi buffaloes during summer. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:176. [PMID: 37099038 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03590-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine whether feeding betaine (Bet) to lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes elevates their production performance during the hot and humid climate. Sixty lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes were randomly divided into four groups: the control group received a standard concentrates basal diet without Bet, whereas in the treated group the same diet was supplemented with Bet at 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% on dry matter basis for 9 weeks. All animals received ad libitum amount of chopped green maize fodder. Milk production and its fat % were recorded twice daily, whereas for the remaining components samples were collected weekly. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment. The results showed that feeding Bet to buffaloes increased (p<0.05) milk yield, production efficiency, and nutrient utilization at all three inclusion levels; however, milk composition remained unaffected. A numerical but non-significant (p>0.05) increase in performance was noticed with higher doses of Bet. Superoxide dismutase in all three treatments and glutathione peroxidase in Bet 0.2% inclusion level were higher (p<0.05) as compared to the control. However, malondialdehyde was not significantly affected. Inclusion of Bet in the concentrate ration of lactating buffalos at 0.2% level on the dry matter basis is recommended as it positively influenced the production and also improved their antioxidant status during summer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zakir Hussain
- Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Iqbal
- Department of Animal Production, Riphah College of Veterinary Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Nabila Roohi
- Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sirzamin Khan
- Department of Poultry Sciences, Agriculture University, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
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Ghoneem WMA, El-Tanany RRA. Impact of natural betaine supplementation on rumen fermentation and productive performance of lactating Damascus goats. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:123. [PMID: 36933084 PMCID: PMC10024655 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03524-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Two natural betaine sources; dehydrated condensed molasses fermentation solubles (Bet1) and Betafin®, a commercial anhydrous betaine extracted from sugar beet molasses and vinasses (Bet2); were used to investigate their impact on rumen fermentation parameters and lactation performance of lactating goats. Thirty-three lactating Damascus goats, with an average weight of 37 ± 0.7 kg and their age ranged from 22 to 30 months (2nd and 3rd lactation season), were divided into three groups, each group contained 11 animals. The control group (CON) was fed ration without betaine. While the other experimental groups were fed a control ration supplemented either with Bet1 or Bet2 to provide a 4 g betaine/kg diet. Results confirmed that betaine supplementation improved nutrient digestibility and nutritive value, and increased milk production and milk fat contents with both Bet1 and Bet2. Significant increases in concentration of ruminal acetate were observed in betaine-supplemented groups. Goats fed dietary betaine non-significantly recorded higher concentrations of short and medium-chain fatty acids (C4:0 to C12:0), and significant lower concentrations of C14:0 and C16:0 in milk. Also, both Bet1 and Bet2 non-significantly decreased the blood concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides. Therefore, it could be concluded that betaine can improve the lactation performance of lactating goats and produce healthy milk with beneficial characteristics.
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Dairy Cows Offered Fresh Chicory Instead of Ensiled Pasture during an Acute Heat Challenge Produced More Milk and Had Lower Body Temperatures. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050867. [PMID: 36899722 PMCID: PMC10000127 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves in Australia are increasing. To reduce the impact of heat waves on milk production, novel management strategies are required. Altering the forage type and amount offered affect the heat load on dairy cows and offer potential strategies to ameliorate the effects of hot weather. Thirty-two multiparous, lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were assigned one of four dietary treatments: chicory high amount, chicory low amount, pasture silage high amount, or pasture silage low amount. These cows were exposed to a heat wave in controlled-environment chambers. Cows that were offered fresh chicory had similar feed intake to cows that were offered pasture silage (15.3 kg DM/d). However, cows that were offered chicory produced greater energy-corrected milk (21.9 vs. 17.2 kg/d) and had a lower maximum body temperature (39.4 vs. 39.6 °C) than cows that were offered pasture silage overall. Cows that were offered the high amount of forage had greater feed intake (16.5 vs. 14.1 kg DM/d) and energy corrected milk yield (20.0 vs. 17.9 kg/d) than cows that were offered the low amount, as intended, but with no difference in maximum body temperature (39.5 °C). We conclude that feeding chicory instead of pasture silage to dairy cows shows promise as a dietary strategy to ameliorate the effect of heat exposure, and there was no advantage in restricting feed amount.
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Effects of Heat Stress in Dairy Cows Offered Diets Containing Either Wheat or Corn Grain during Late Lactation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162031. [PMID: 36009623 PMCID: PMC9404427 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A common nutritional strategy to reduce heat stress on dairy cows is to provide a more slowly degradable starch source that reduces the amount of heat generated during digestion. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the responses of late lactation dairy cows to cereal grain-based diets in a short-term heat challenge. Cows were offered a diet of alfalfa hay supplemented with either wheat grain (fast rumen degradable) or corn grain (slow rumen degradable). Individual cow measurements of feed intake, milk yield and composition, respiration rate, and body temperature were taken daily before, during and after a 4-day heat challenge, during which the cows were in individual controlled-climate chambers and exposed to air temperature up to 33 °C with 50% relative humidity. While exposed to the heat challenge during late lactation, cows that were offered corn grain had greater feed intake and tended to produce more energy-corrected milk but had lower respiration rates and similar body temperature to the cows offered wheat grain. The economic impact of feeding corn in place of wheat grain needs to be assessed before any comparative value of feeding corn grain or wheat grain can be determined. Abstract Cereal grains that differ in the rate and extent of ruminal fermentation differ in heat increment and may be used to improve thermoregulation during heat stress. This experiment investigated the responses of dairy cows in late lactation to a heat challenge when offered wheat-grain or corn-grain. Eighteen lactating cows, 220 ± 94 (mean ± standard deviation) days in milk, 3.7 ± 0.17 years of age and 558 ± 37 kg bodyweight, were allocated treatments containing 6 kg dry matter (DM)/day of wheat grain or 6 kg DM/day corn grain (9 per treatment) plus 14 kg DM/day of alfalfa hay. Measurements were made during a 7-day pre-challenge period at ambient conditions in individual stalls, during a 4-day heat challenge (temperature humidity index of 74 to 84) in individual controlled-climate chambers, then during a 7-day recovery period at ambient conditions in individual stalls. During the heat challenge, cows offered corn had lower respiration rates (p = 0.017) and greater feed intake (p = 0.021) but energy-corrected milk (p = 0.097) was not different to that of cows offered wheat. Feeding corn grain to dairy cows during a heat challenge reduced some of the negative impacts of heat stress, enabling the cows to consume more forage compared with supplementing with wheat grain.
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Besharati M, Giannenas I, Palangi V, Ayasan T, Noorian F, Maggiolino A, Lorenzo JM. Chitosan/Calcium-Alginate Encapsulated Flaxseed Oil on Dairy Cattle Diet: In Vitro Fermentation and Fatty Acid Biohydrogenation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:1400. [PMID: 35681864 PMCID: PMC9179567 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using chitosan nanoparticles and calcium alginate in the encapsulation of flaxseed oil on the biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids and in vitro fermentation. The experiments were performed in a completely randomized design with 7 treatments. The experimental treatments included: diets without oil additive (control), diet containing 7% flaxseed oil, diet containing 14% flaxseed oil, diet containing 7% oil encapsulated with 500 ppm chitosan nanocapsules, diet containing 14% flaxseed oil encapsulated with 1000 ppm chitosan nanocapsules, diet containing 7% of flaxseed oil encapsulated with 500 ppm of calcium alginate nanocapsules, diet containing 14% flaxseed oil encapsulated with 1000 ppm calcium alginate nanocapsules. The results showed that encapsulation of flaxseed oil with calcium alginate (14%) had a significant effect on gas production (p < 0.05). The treatment containing calcium alginate (14%) increased the digestibility of dry matter compared to the control treatment, but the treatments containing chitosan caused a significant reduction (p < 0.05). The results indicated that the percentage of ruminal saturated fatty acids decreased by encapsulation of flaxseed oil with chitosan (14% and 7%). The percentage of oleic unsaturated fatty acid by encapsulating flaxseed oil with chitosan (14%) had a significant increase compared to the control treatment (p < 0.05). As a result, encapsulating flaxseed oil with chitosan (14%) reduced the unsaturated fatty acids generated during ruminal biohydrogenation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maghsoud Besharati
- Department of Animal Science, Ahar Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tabriz, Ahar 5451785354, Iran;
| | - Ilias Giannenas
- Laboratory of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Valiollah Palangi
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum 25240, Turkey;
| | - Tugay Ayasan
- Department of Organic Farming Business Management, Kadirli Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Korkut Ata, Osmaniye 80000, Turkey;
| | - Fatemeh Noorian
- Department of Animal Science, Ahar Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tabriz, Ahar 5451785354, Iran;
| | - Aristide Maggiolino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari A. Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy;
| | - Jose Manuel Lorenzo
- Centro Tecnológico de la Carne de Galicia, Avd. Galicia 4, Parque Tecnológico de Galicia, 32900 Ourense, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de Ourense, Área de Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidade de Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
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Lewis CD, Marett LC, Malcolm B, Williams SRO, Milner TC, Moate PJ, Ho CKM. Economic Threshold Analysis of Supplementing Dairy Cow Diets with Betaine and Fat during a Heat Challenge: A Pre- and Post-Experimental Comparison. Animals (Basel) 2021; 12:ani12010092. [PMID: 35011197 PMCID: PMC8749819 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Economic analysis can be used before animal experiments to estimate the change in production that would be needed for experimental treatments to be as equally profitable as the control treatment. After the experiment, the results can be examined to assess if the production threshold was met. This approach was applied before and after an animal experiment that tested the effect of feeding dietary supplements on the milk production of dairy cows experiencing a heat event in climate-controlled chambers. Heat stress reduces the milk yield of cows, but the inclusion of supplements such as betaine and fat could lessen the impact. The pre-experimental economic threshold analysis showed that cows fed a diet containing betaine, fat, or betaine plus fat would need to produce 1%, 9% and 11% more milk, respectively, to be equally as profitable as the control diet. Results from the subsequent animal experiment combined with previously modelled projections of heat stress conditions showed that supplementing diets with fat or betaine, but not in combination could exceed the milk production threshold required to be as profitable as the control diet. Abstract Ex ante economic analysis can be used to establish the production threshold for a proposed experimental diet to be as profitable as the control treatment. This study reports (1) a pre-experimental economic analysis to estimate the milk production thresholds for an experiment where dietary supplements were fed to dairy cows experiencing a heat challenge, and (2) comparison of these thresholds to the milk production results of the subsequent animal experiment. The pre-experimental thresholds equated to a 1% increase in milk production for the betaine supplement, 9% increase for the fat supplement, and 11% increase for fat and betaine in combination, to achieve the same contribution to farm profit as the control diet. For the post-experimental comparison, previously modelled climate predictions were used to extrapolate the milk production results from the animal experiment over the annual hot-weather period for the dairying region in northern Victoria, Australia. Supplementing diets with fat or betaine had the potential to produce enough extra milk to exceed the production thresholds, making either supplement a profitable alternative to feeding the control diet during the hot-weather period. Feeding fat and betaine in combination failed to result in the extra milk required to justify the additional cost when compared to the control diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire D. Lewis
- Agriculture Victoria, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank, VIC 3821, Australia; (C.D.L.); (L.C.M.); (S.R.O.W.); (T.C.M.); (P.J.M.)
| | - Leah C. Marett
- Agriculture Victoria, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank, VIC 3821, Australia; (C.D.L.); (L.C.M.); (S.R.O.W.); (T.C.M.); (P.J.M.)
- Centre for Agricultural Innovation, School of Agriculture and Food, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Bill Malcolm
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - S. Richard O. Williams
- Agriculture Victoria, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank, VIC 3821, Australia; (C.D.L.); (L.C.M.); (S.R.O.W.); (T.C.M.); (P.J.M.)
| | - Tori C. Milner
- Agriculture Victoria, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank, VIC 3821, Australia; (C.D.L.); (L.C.M.); (S.R.O.W.); (T.C.M.); (P.J.M.)
| | - Peter J. Moate
- Agriculture Victoria, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank, VIC 3821, Australia; (C.D.L.); (L.C.M.); (S.R.O.W.); (T.C.M.); (P.J.M.)
- Centre for Agricultural Innovation, School of Agriculture and Food, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Christie K. M. Ho
- Agriculture Victoria, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
- Correspondence:
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