Escartín M, Rialp N, Bach A. Effects of feeding difructose anhydride on the mineral status and milking performance of transition cows.
J Dairy Sci 2024;
107:4578-4586. [PMID:
38490549 DOI:
10.3168/jds.2024-24260]
[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: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the potential effect of difructose anhydride III (DFAIII) on calcemia, magnesemia, and milking performance in dairy cows. A total of 66 multiparous Holstein cows in late pregnancy (gestation days, mean ± SD = 253.8 ± 2.13 d) were blocked according to their expected calving date and randomly assigned to either receiving no supplementation (control) or receiving 40 g/d of DFAIII (DFA) between -14 and +7 d relative to calving following a complete randomized block design. Cows in the control group received 640 g/d of a pellet containing no DFAIII, whereas DFA cows received the same pellet but containing 6.25% DFAIII. Pellets of each treatment were top-dressed on a daily basis while cows were dry and were fed via an automatic feeding system twice daily (320 g each feeding) during milking. Dry cows were fed once a day, whereas lactating cows were fed twice daily. Dry matter intake was individually monitored on a daily basis. Cows were milked twice daily and milk production and milk protein and fat contents recorded at every milking. Cows were kept on the study until they reached 21 d postpartum. Cows were weighed at dry-off (∼45 d before study enrollment) and twice daily after calving at the exit of the milking parlor. Cows were blood sampled for subsequent determination of serum Ca and Mg concentrations 3 d before the expected calving date and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h and 7 and 14 d after calving. We found no differences in DMI before calving, but DFA cows consumed more feed than control cows at ∼15 DIM. All cows lost BW after calving, but DFA cows lost slightly less BW during the first 5 DIM than control cows. Cows on DFAIII produced more milk at ∼10 DIM compared with control cows, and DFAIII cows produced more milk protein than control cows 3 d after calving. Serum Ca concentrations were not affected by DFAIII supplementation; however, serum Mg concentrations at 6, 12, and 24 h after calving were greater in DFA than in control cows. In all, DFAIII did not affect postpartum calcemia but improved magnesemia between 6 and 24 h after calving. Milk production in DFA cows was improved around 10 d after calving and milk protein yield after 3 d postpartum compared with control cows. The mechanism leading to increased Mg availability is not clear and warrants further research.
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