Alterations of endotoxin distribution across different biofluids and relevant inflammatory responses by supplementing L-theanine in dairy cows during heat stress

The present trial was performed to reveal the regulatory effects of L-theanine on the levels of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)endotoxin within different biofluids,as well as relevant inflammatory responses of dairy cattle under heat stress conditions.Thirty lactating Chinese Holstein dairy cattle(189±47 d in milk,and 2±1 parities)were allocated in a completely randomized design to each of 3 dietary treatments:the control(CON,0 g/d per cow L-theanine),the low L-theanine dosage treatment(LL,16 g/d per cow L-theanine),and the high L-theanine dosage treatment(HL,32 g/d per cow L-theanine).This trial consisted of 38 d(7 d for adaption and 31 d for data and sample collection),and sample collection for rumen liquid,blood plasma or serum,and milk were conducted on the d 27 and 38,respectively.Dairy cattle were constantly exposed to environmental heat stress during this experiment according to the recorded temperature-humidity index(THI).In the LL treatment,LPS concentration in rumen liquid was higher(P<0.05),whilst LPS densities in plasma and milk were lower(P<0.05)than those of the CON.Supplementing L-theanine at 2 dosages both significantly lowered(P<0.05)the level of interleukin(IL)-1βin the serum.Results of the present study suggested that L-theanine could be a promising additive in reducing the detrimental effects of heat stress on dairy cows,and L-theanine supplementation at 16 g/d per cow is preferred because it reduced the LPS translocation into the peripheral blood and LPS accumulation in the milk,as well as mitigated LPS-induced inflammatory reactions in dairy cows during heat stress.Further studies are necessitated to investigate the underlying mechanisms of L-theanine in LPS alteration and inflammation alleviation.