Effects of improved amino acid balance diet on lysine mammary utilization, whole body protein turnover and muscle protein breakdown on lactating sows

Background The study objective was to test the hypothesis that low crude protein(CP)diet with crystalline amino acids(CAA)supplementation improves Lys utilization efficiency for milk production and reduces protein turnover and muscle protein breakdown.Eighteen lactating multiparous Yorkshire sows were allotted to 1 of 2 isocaloric diets(10.80 MJ/kg net energy):control(CON;19.24%CP)and reduced CP with“optimal”AA profile(OPT;14.00%CP).Sow body weight and backfat were recorded on d 1 and 21 of lactation and piglets were weighed on d 1,14,18,and 21 of lactation.Between d 14 and 18,a subset of 9 sows(CON=4,OPT=5)was infused with a mixed solution of 3-[methyl-2H3]histidine(bolus injection)and[13C]bicarbonate(priming dose)first,then a constant 2-h[13C]bicarbonate infusion followed by a 6-h primed constant[1-13C]lysine infusion.Serial blood and milk sampling were performed to determine plasma and milk Lys enrichment,Lys oxidation rate,whole body protein turnover,and muscle protein breakdown.Results Over the 21-d lactation period,compared to CON,sows fed OPT had greater litter growth rate(P<0.05).Compared to CON,sows fed OPT had greater efficiency of Lys(P<0.05),Lys mammary flux(P<0.01)and whole-body protein turnover efficiency(P<0.05).Compared to CON,sows fed OPT tended to have lower whole body protein breakdown rate(P=0.069).Muscle protein breakdown rate did not differ between OPT and CON(P=0.197).Conclusion Feeding an improved AA balance diet increased efficiency of Lys and reduced whole-body protein turnover and protein breakdown.These results imply that the lower maternal N retention observed in lactating sows fed improved AA balance diets in previous studies may be a result of greater partitioning of AA towards milk rather than greater body protein breakdown.

Maternal dietary patterns associated with bone density in Chinese lactating women and infants at 6 months postpartum:a prospective study using data from 2018-2019

This cohort study was designed to explore the relationship between maternal dietary patterns(DPs)and bone health in Chinese lactating mothers and infants.We recruited 150 lactating women at 1-month postpartum.The estimated bone mineral density(eBMD)of subjects’calcanei and the information on dietary intake were collected.After 5-month follow-up,the eBMD of mothers and their infants were measured again.Factor analysis was applied to determine maternal DPs.General linear models were used to evaluate the association between maternal DPs and maternal eBMD loss or infants’eBMD.With all potential covariates adjusted,Factor 2(high intake of whole grains,tubers,mixed beans,soybeans and soybean products,seaweeds,and nuts)showed a positive association with the changes of maternal eBMD(β=0.16,95%CI:0.005,0.310).Factor 3(high intake of soft drinks,fried foods,and puffed foods)was inversely correlated with the changes of maternal eBMD(β=-0.22,95%CI:-0.44,0.00).The changes of maternal eBMD were positively associated with 6-month infants’eBMD(β=0.34,95%CI:0.017,0.652).In conclusion,Factor 2 might contribute to the maintenance of eBMD in lactating women,while Factor 3 could exacerbate maternal eBMD loss.Additionally,the changes of maternal eBMD presented a positive correlation with 6-month infants’eBMD.

The use of oral human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis in pregnant and lactating women in sub-Saharan Africa:considerations,barriers,and recommendations

In sub-Saharan Africa(SSA),63%of new human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infections in 2021 were among women,particularly adolescent girls,and young women.There is a high incidence of HIV among pregnant and lactating women(PLW)in SSA.It is estimated that the risk of HIV-acquisition during pregnancy and the postpartum period more than doubles.In this article,we discuss the safety and effectiveness of drugs used for oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis(PrEP),considerations for initiating PrEP in PLW,the barriers to initiating and adhering to PrEP among them and suggest recommendations to address these barriers.Tenofovir/emtricitabine,the most widely used combination in SSA,is safe,clinically effective,and cost-effective among PLW.Any PLW who requests PrEP and has no medical contraindications should receive it.PrEP users who are pregnant or lactating may experience barriers to starting and adhering for a variety of reasons,including personal,pill-related,and healthcare facility-related issues.To address the barriers,we recommend an increased provision of information on PrEP to the women and the communities,increasing and/or facilitating access to PrEP among the PLW,and developing strategies to increase adherence.

Psychological experience of breastfeeding among primiparous women with lactating mastitis:A qualitative research

Objective:The objective of this study is to comprehensively understand the psychological experience of primiparous women during breastfeeding while dealing with lactating mastitis and to establish a reliable foundation for tailored support measures.Methods:Twenty primiparous mothers from a tertiary hospital in Beijing between January and March 2023 were chosen using purposive sampling for semi-structured interviews.After conducting 20 interviews,data saturation was achieved.The Colaizzi’s seven-step analytical approach was employed to analyze,summarize,and refine the identified themes.Results:Among primiparous women afflicted by lactating mastitis,the primary themes regarding breastfeeding attitudes included three key aspects:(1)uncertainty during the initial diagnosis phase,(2)intricate emotional journey during treatment,and(3)positive psychological outlook during the recovery stage.Conclusion:Primiparous women undergoing lactating mastitis experience substantial physical and psychological strain.It is crucial for medical personnel,family caregivers,and society at large to be attuned to the emotions of these patients.Tailored support measures should be offered to enhance patients’physical and mental well-being and facilitate disease recovery.

Nitrogen partitioning and microbial protein synthesis in lactating dairy cows with different phenotypic residual feed intake

Background: Residual feed intake(RFI) is an inheritable measure of feed efficiency that is independent on level of production. However, physiological and metabolic mechanisms underlying divergent RFI are not fully elucidated.This study was conducted to investigate dietary nitrogen(N) partitioning and microbial protein synthesis in lactating dairy cows divergent in phenotypic RFI.Results: Thirty Holstein dairy cows(milk yield = 35.3 ± 4.71 kg/d;milk protein yield = 1.18 ± 0.13 kg/d;mean ± standard deviation) were selected for the experiment to derive RFI. After the RFI measurement period of 50 d, the 10 lowest RFI cows and 8 highest RFI cows were selected. The low RFI cows had lower dry matter intake(DMI, P < 0.05) than the high RFI cows, but they produced similar energy-corrected milk. The ratios of milk to DMI(1.41 vs. 1.24, P < 0.01) and energy-corrected milk to DMI(1.48 vs. 1.36, P < 0.01) were greater in low RFI cows than those in the high RFI cows. The low RFI cows had lower milk urea nitrogen than that in the high RFI cows(P = 0.05). Apparent digestibility of nutrients did not differ between two groups(P > 0.10). Compared with high RFI animals, the low RFI cows had a lower retention of N(5.72 vs. 51.4 g/d, P < 0.05) and a higher partition of feed N to milk N(29.7% vs. 26.5%, P < 0.05).Conclusions: The results suggest that differences in N partition, synthesis of microbial protein, and utilization of metabolizable protein could be part of the mechanisms associated with variance in the RFI.

The effect of the ratio of standardized ileal digestible lysine to metabolizable energy on growth performance,blood metabolites and hormones of lactating sows

A total of 335 lactating sows （Landrace x Large White） were used in two experiments to determine the optimum ratio of standardized ileal digestible lysine （SID-Lys） to metabolizable energy （ME） for mixed parity sows during lactation. In Exp. 1, 185 sows （weighing an average of 256.2 ± 6.5 kg and having an average parity of 3.4 ± 0.3） were allocated to one of six experimental diets in a completely randomized block design within parity groups （1, 2, and 3＋）. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 3.06, 3.16, 3.20, 3.25, 3.30 or 3.40 Mcal/kg of ME and each diet was fed to the sows throughout a 28 day lactation. All diets provided a similar SID-lysine level （0.86%）. As a result, the diets provided a SID-Lys：ME ratio of 2.81, 2.72, 2.69, 2.65, 2.61 or 2.53 g/Mcal ME. Sow feed intake was significantly （P 〈 0.01） affected by the energy content of the diet as well as by sow parity. Using regression analysis, feed intake was shown to be maximized at 3.25, 3.21, 3.21 and 3.21 Mcal/kg of ME for parity 1, 2, 3＋ sows and the entire cohort of sows respectively （quadratic; P 〈 0.01）. In addition, the result of feed intake can be expressed as 2.65, 2.69, 2.69 and 2.68 g/Mcal based on analysis of SID-Lys：ME ratio. Litter weight gain was affected by dietary treatment for parity 3＋ sows and the entire cohort （P 〈 0.01）. Based on regression analysis, litter weight gain was maximized at 3.25 and 3.24 Mcal/kg of ME for parity 3＋ （quadratic; P 〈 0.01） and the entire cohort （quadratic; P 〈 0.01）. Similarly, the result of litter weight gain could be expressed as 2.65 and 2.66 g/Mcal of SID- Lys：ME ratio. Therefore, 3.25 Mcal/kg of ME was selected for Exp. 2 in which 150 sows （weighing 254.6 ± 7.3 kg and having an average parity of 3.4 ± 0.4） were allocated to one of five treatments in a completely randomized block design within parity （1, 2, and 3＋）. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 2.1, 2.4, 2.7, 3.0 or 3.3 g/Mcal of SID-Lys：ME ratio with all diets providing 3.25 Mcal/kg of ME. The diets were fed to the sows throughout a 28 day lactation. Sow body weight loss was affected by dietary treatment （parity 3＋ sows, P = 0.02; entire cohort, P 〈 0.01） and by sow parity （P 〈 0.01）. Litter weight at weaning and litter weight gain were affected by dietary treatment for parity 1, 2, 3＋ sows and the entire cohort （P 〈 0.01） as well as by sow parity （P 〈 0.01）. Plasma urea nitrogen （P 〈 0.01）, creatinine （P 〈 0.01） and non-esterifide fatty acids （P = 0.04） were decreased as the SID-Lys：ME ratio of the diet increased. Insulin-like growth factor-1 （P = 0.02）, estradiol （P 〈 0.01） and luteinizing hormone （P = 0.02） were increased as the SID-Lys：ME ratio in diet increased. Based on a broken-line model, the estimated SID-Lys： ME ratio to maximize litter weight gain was estimated to be 3.05 g/Mcal.

Quantification and prediction of enteric methane emissions from Chinese lactating Holstein dairy cows fed diets with different dietary neutral detergent fiber/non-fibrous carbohydrate(NDF/NFC)ratios

Methane(CH_(4))emissions from ruminant production are a significant source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas production,but few studies have examined the enteric CH_(4)emissions of lactating dairy cows under different feeding regimes in China.This study aimed to investigate the influence of different dietary neutral detergent fiber/non-fibrous carbohydrate(NDF/NFC)ratios on production performance,nutrient digestibility,and CH_(4)emissions for Holstein dairy cows at various stages of lactation.It evaluated the performance of CH_(4)prediction equations developed using local dietary and milk production variables compared to previously published prediction equations developed in other production regimes.For this purpose,36 lactating cows were assigned to one of three treatments with differing dietary NDF/NFC ratios:low(NDF/NFC=1.19),medium(NDF/NFC=1.54),and high(NDF/NFC=1.68).A modified acid-insoluble ash method was used to determine nutrient digestibility,while the sulfur hexafluoride technique was used to measure enteric CH4 emissions.The results showed that the dry matter(DM)intake of cows at the early,middle,and late stages of lactation decreased significantly(P<0.01)from 20.9 to 15.4 kg d^(–1),15.3 to 11.6 kg d^(–1),and 16.4 to 15.0 kg d^(–1),respectively,as dietary NDF/NFC ratios increased.Across all three treatments,DM and gross energy(GE)digestibility values were the highest(P<0.05)for cows at the middle and late lactation stages.Daily CH_(4)emissions increased linearly(P<0.05),from 325.2 to 391.9 kg d^(–1),261.0 to 399.8 kg d^(–1),and 241.8 to 390.6 kg d^(–1),respectively,as dietary NDF/NFC ratios increased during the early,middle,and late stages of lactation.CH_(4)emissions expressed per unit of metabolic body weight,DM intake,NDF intake,or fat-corrected milk yield increased with increasing dietary NDF/NFC ratios.In addition,CH_(4)emissions expressed per unit of GE intake increased significantly(P<0.05),from 4.87 to 8.12%,5.16 to 9.25%,and 5.06 to 8.17%respectively,as dietary NDF/NFC ratios increased during the early,middle,and late lactation stages.The modelling results showed that the equation using DM intake as the single variable yielded a greater R^(2)than equations using other dietary or milk production variables.When data obtained from each lactation stage were combined,DM intake remained a better predictor of CH_(4)emissions(R^(2)=0.786,P=0.026)than any other variables tested.Compared to the prediction equations developed herein,previously published equations had a greater root mean square prediction error,reflecting their inability to predict CH_(4)emissions for Chinese Holstein dairy cows accurately.The quantification of CH_(4)production by lactating dairy cows under Chinese production systems and the development of associated prediction equations will help establish regional or national CH_(4)inventories and improve mitigation approaches to dairy production.

The Effects of Graded Abomasal Glucose Infusion on Milk Yield and Composition in Lactating Goats

Four non-pregnant multiparous lactating goats were used in a 4 × 4 latin square experiment in the present study. The four treatments were abomasal infusion of 0, 50, 100, and 150 g d^-1 glucose. The results showed that graded glucose infusion increased milk yield （P 〈 0.01）. The highest milk yield was observed when 50 g d^-1 glucose was infused. An infusion of glucose at 100 or 150 g d^-1 failed to increase milk yield further and milk yield of the 100 g d ^-1 glucose infusion treatment was even significantly lower than that of the 50 g d^-1 treatment （P 〈 0.01）. Though milk fat content was gradually decreased by graded glucose infusions and milk fat yield of the 100 and 150 g d 1 treatments were lower than that of the control （P 〈 0.01）; milk fat yield of the 50 g d i treatment was not depressed and was higher than that of the control （P 〈 0.01）. Graded glucose infusion did not change the contents of milk protein and non-fatty solids. Yields of milk protein （P 〈 0.05）, lactose （P 〈 0.01）, non-fat solids （P 〈 0.01）, and lactose content （P 〈 0.01） of the 50 g d^-1 treatment were higher than those of the control but had no difference among the other three treatments. Contents of those de novo synthesized fatty acids in milk fat remained unchanged or increased and those preformed fatty acids remained unchanged or decreased by graded glucose infusion. Glucose infusion decreased the total yields of C16 ＋ C16：1 and 〉 C16 fatty acids and had no influence on the yield of C4-C14：1 fatty acids （P 〈 0.05）. Results of the present study implied that increased glucose supply had positive effects on the production of milk, milk protein, milk fat, and lactose only when glucose was a limiting factor for milk synthesis. Excessive glucose supply had no further beneficial effects and might depress milk fat synthesis.

Effect of dietary near ideal amino acid profile on heat production of lactating sows exposed to thermal neutral and heat stress conditions

Background:Reduced protein diet manifested potential to mitigate heat production based on the concept of ideal amino acid profile.The hypothesis of this study was that lactating sows fed a low crude protein(LCP)diet with supplemental amino acid produce less heat compared to those fed a high crude protein(HCP)diet under both thermal neutral(TN)and heat stress(HS)conditions.Methods:Thirty-two lactating sows were allotted to HCP(193 g CP/kg)and LCP(140 g CP/kg)diets under thermal neutral(TN,21±1.5°C)or cycling heat stress(HS,32±1.5°C daytime and 24±1.5°C nighttime)conditions.Diets contained 0.90%SID lysine and 10.8 MJ/kg net energy.Positive pressure indirect calorimeters were used to measure gas exchange in individual sows with litters,and individual piglets on days 4,8,14 and 18.Sow and litter weights were recorded on days 1,10 and 21.Results:Sow total heat production(THP)was calculated by subtracting litter THP from sow+litter THP based on BW0.75.Sow BW and body protein(BP)loss was greater for LCP diet compared to HCP diet in peak lactation(P<0.05 and P<0.01,respectively)and throughout the entire lactation period(P<0.05 and P=0.056,respectively)under HS conditions.Heat-stressed sows fed HCP diet had higher(P<0.05)rectal temperature at 13:00(P<0.05)and 19:00(P<0.01),and higher respiration rate at 07:00(P<0.05),13:00(P<0.05)and 19:00(P<0.05)compared to TN sows fed HCP diet.In sows fed LCP diet,those under HS tended to have higher(P=0.098)rectal temperature at 13:00 and had higher(P<0.05)respiration rate at 07:00,13:00 and 19:00 compared to TN sows.The relationship between daily THP and days in lactation of sows fed LCP diet was quadratic(P<0.05),with an ascending trend until day 14 and a descending trend from days 14 to 18.Sows fed LCP diet had lower daily THP at day 18(P<0.001)compared to those fed the HCP diet under HS conditions.Conclusion:Reduction in THP in sows fed LCP diet was largely associated with THP on day 18 of lactation under HS conditions.Feeding LCP diets alleviated the increased body temperature in sows under HS conditions throughout lactation,which was accompanied by a reduction in respiration rate.Total heat production is associated with days in lactation,in particular under HS conditions with THP appearing to peak between days 14 and 18.

Effects of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid on Performance of Lactating Sows during Heat Weather

[ Objective] To study the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid （GABA） on performance of lactating sows during heat stress. [ Metbod] A total of 14 sows at the same parity and with close expected date of childbirth and similar body we：,ght were randomly divided into control group and experimental group. They were fed a common basal diet and a GABA （300 mg/kg） supplementary diet, respectively. The trial lasted for 21 d. [ Result ] The daily feed intake, lactation yield and average daily gain of piglets in the experimental group were increased by 9.4%, 28.5% and 10.7%, respectively. The backfat of lactating sows was decreased less, and the same with the weaning-oestrus interval. The survival ratio of piglets was increased by 4.5%. Compared with the control group, the content of lactose and fat increased significantly, but other components almost did not change. [Conclusien] Supplementing GABA in diet can improve the performance of lactating sows and promote the growth of piglets effectively.

Optimizing dietary lipid use to improve essential fatty acid status and reproductive performance of the modern lactating sow:a review

Dietary lipid supplementation benefits the prolific and high-producing modern lactating sow. A comprehensive review of recent studies showed that lipid supplementation increases average daily energy intake, which is partitioned for lactation as indicated by greater milk fat output and improved litter growth rate. Recent compelling findings showed that addition of particular lipids during lactation improved the subsequent reproductive outcome of sows. Such benefits were related to the level of dietary essential fatty acids（EFA, linoleic acid, C18：2n-6; and α-linolenic acid, C18：3n-3） during lactation. Lactation diets without supplemental EFA resulted in a pronounced negative balance（intake minus milk output） of linoleic（-25.49 g/d） and α-linolenic acid（-2.75 g/d）; which compromised sow fertility（farrowing rate 〈 75 % and culling rates 〉 25 % of weaned sows）. This phenomenon seems to be increasingly important with advancing sow age because of a progressive reduction of body EFA pool over successive lactations. The net effect of supplemental EFA during lactation was to create a positive EFA balance, which improved the subsequent reproduction of sows. Adequate linoleic acid intake improved the proportion of sows that farrowed in the subsequent cycle（Farrowing rate（%） = [（-1.5 × 10^-3× linoleic acid intake（g/d）^2） ＋（0.53 × linoleic acid intake（g/d）） ＋（45.2）]; quadratic P = 0.002, R^2= 0.997, RMSE = 0.031）. In addition, increasing linoleic acid intake increased the number of pigs born in the subsequent cycle（total pigs born（n） = [（9.4 × 10^-5× linoleic acid intake（g/d）^2） ＋（0.04 × linoleic acid intake（g/d）） ＋（10.94）]; quadratic P = 0.002, R^2= 0.997, RMSE = 0.031）. Supplemental α-linolenic acid resulted in a rapid return to estrus（sows bred： sows weaned = 94.2 %; wean-to-estrus interval = 4.0 d） and achieved a high retention of pregnancy（sows pregnant： sows bred = 98 %）. Collectively, we conclude that a minimum dietary intake of10 g/d of α-linolenic acid, simultaneous with a minimum of 125 g/d of linoleic acid should be provided to ≥ 95 % of the sows; thereby, achieving a maximum sow reproductive efficiency through multiple mechanisms that include rapid return to estrus, high maintenance of pregnancy and large subsequent litter size in mature sows, that appear to be susceptible to EFA deficiency.

Effects of Rumen Protected Methionine on Milk Yield and Milk Composition in Earlier Lactating Cow

A total of 12 mature healthy Holstein dairy cows of the nearly body weight （580±30） kg, milk yield （22.5±2.8） kg in the early stages of lactation were selected in this experiment. The cows were randomly divided into 2 groups, every group had 6 cows, every group had 6 repeats, and every repeat had 1 cow. Added 20 g protected methionine in earlier lactating cow food every day. The results showed that protected methionine increased milk yield by 10.83%, testing group milk yield was significantly different than that of control （P〈0.05）; protected methionine increased milk fat by 5.98%, testing group milk fat was significantly different than that of control （P〈0.05）; Milk protein increased by 2.15%, but bad insignificantly different （P〉0.05）; dry matter of milk had the tendency of decrease, but had insignificant difference （P〉0.05）.

Comparative proteomic analysis of the effects of high-concentrate diet on the hepatic metabolism and inflammatory response in lactating dairy goats

Background： To understand the impact of feeding a high-concentrate diet to mid-lactating goats for a long time on liver metabolism and inflammatory response, two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis（2-DE） and real-time PCR method were employed to detect proteins differentially expressed in liver and their m RNAs expression in goats fed high concentrate diet（HC） or low concentrate diet（LC）. Twelve lactating dairy goats were randomly assigned to either a HC diet group（65 % concentrate of dry matter; n = 6） or a LC diet group（35 % concentrate of dry matter; n = 6） for 10 wk.Results： Twenty differentially expressed spots（≥2.0-fold changes） in the hepatic tissues were excised and successfully identified using MALDI TOF/TOF. Of these, 8 proteins were up-regulated, while the rest 12 proteins were down-regulated in HC goats compared to LC. Differential expressed proteins including alpha enolase 1（ENO1）, glutamate dehydrogenase 1（GLUD1）, glutathione S-transferase A1（GSTA1）, ATP synthase subunit 5β（ATP5β）, superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn]（SOD1）, cytochrom c oxidase subunit Via（COX6A1） and heat shock protein 60（HSP60） were further verified by real-time PCR and/or western blot at m RNA or protein expression level. Consistent with the 2-DE results, a significant decrease of β-actin protein expression and SOD enzyme activity was observed in liver of HC goats（P 〈 0.05）, while ENO1 protein expression was significantly up-regulated in HC compared to LC goats（P 〈 0.05）. However, western blot analysis did not show a significant difference of hepatic HSP60 protein between HC and LC group, which did not match the decrease of HSP60 content detected by 2-DE analysis. Real-time PCR showed that glutathione S-transferase P1（GSTP1） and SOD1 m RNA expression was significantly decreased in liver of HC goats, while cytochrom c oxidase（COX3） and ATPase 8（ATP8） m RNAs expression were markedly increased compared to LC（P 〈 0.05）. Gene Ontology（GO） analysis revealed that HC diet resulted in altered expression of proteins related to catalytic and mitochondrial metabolism in the liver, and may increase the stress response with up-regulating the expression of differentiation 14（CD14） cluster and serum amyloid A（SAA） as well as C-reactive protein（CRP） in the liver.Conclusions： These results suggest that feeding high concentrate diet to lactating goats for 10 wk leads to the activation of the inflammatory response, and decreases the anti-oxidant capacity, and subsequently impairs the mitochondrial function in the liver.

Nutrient Intakes from Food of Lactating Women Do Not Meet Many Dietary Recommendations Important for Infant Development and Maternal Health

Literature describing dietary intakes of lactating mothers in the United States (US) is limited and none of the existing studies attempts to identify whether dietary shortcomings of lactating mothers are distinct from those of women of childbearing age in the US. The first objective of this observational study was to comprehensively analyze the dietary intakes of lactating mothers in the US to determine whether nutrient intakes from food were sufficient to meet recommendations. The second objective was to compare these intakes to those of women of childbearing age in the US. Weekly 3-day food records were collected from subjects for six weeks in 2012-2013. Subject mean daily intakes of food groups, macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and specific fats including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids were determined and compared to daily recommendations. Intakes were compared to US women using the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Fruit, vegetable, and dairy intakes of mothers were ≤50% of recommendations, resulting in 12 of 26 analyzed vitamins or minerals including potassium, iodine, chromium, choline, and vitamins A, D, and E having mean daily intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement. Vitamin D intake of subjects was 18% lower than US women, while most other nutrients showed intakes within 10% of each other between populations. Lactating women are not meeting the increased dietary needs associated with breastfeeding, supporting education initiatives and interventions specifically tailored to breastfeeding populations to increase intakes of vitamin D, vitamin E, iodine, biotin, carotenoids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids from food.

Neuronal c-Fos Reactivity of Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Basolateral Amygdala in Perinatally Underfed Lactating Wistar Rats

Pre- and neonatal food restriction interferes with the neuronal and functional organization of longterm social adaptive responses including the maternal response to ensure pup survival. We addressed this issue by using low percentages of food from gestational days G6 to G 19 (50% to 30%) followed by a balanced diet from G20 to G21. After birth, pups were underfed by rotating two lactating dams, one with tied nipples, every 12 h. Weaning was at 25 days of age and thereafter an ad libitum diet. The F1 dams’ motivation (pup retrieval, handling shavings and crouching) was evaluated (10 min) at 4 and 12 days of lactation, when they had reached 90 days of age. The maternal neuronal functionality was measured by immunostaining the medial prefrontal cortex and the basolateral amygdala when the pups were removed from their dams 90 min after suckling. Underfed dams exhibited significantly lower pup retrieval, handling shavings and crouching frequencies, as well as prolonged latencies for pup retrieval and for handling shavings and crouching. Furthermore, early underfed dams had Fos-I neuron deficiencies mainly in the pre-frontal cortex, with minor effects on the amygdala, possibly because the pups’ cues to elicit maternal motivation were suboptimal and/or because of the deficient network activation.

Evaluation of alfalfa inter-seeding effect on bahiagrass baleage fermentation and lactating Holstein performance

Background：Previous research indicates that bahiagrass may be successfully conserved as baleage,but nutritive value is typically low for lactating dairy cows.The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of adding modest amounts of alfalfa forage（22%）,achieved by inter-seeding alfalfa into an existing bahiagrass pasture,on baleage nutritive value and lactation performance of Holstein cows.Forage treatments employed were monoculture bahiagrass baleage（MBB;negative control）,bahiagrass-alfalfa mixture baleage（BAB） and conventional corn silage（CCS;positive control）.Thirty six mid lactation Holstein cows[34.8 ±5.8 kg 3.5%fat-corrected milk and 112 ± 19 d in milk（DIM）]were stratified according to milk yield and DIM and assigned randomly to 1 of 3 forage treatments.Cows were trained to Calan feeding gates and were offered a common CCS-based TMR in a 10-d covariance period followed by a 42-d treatment feeding period.Results：The BAB contained more protein and less NDF than MBB（12.6 vs 10.3%CP and 71.8 vs 76.6%NDF）.Diet DMI was similar for MBB and BAB（19.5 vs 21.6 kg/hd/d）,but cows consumed more of the CCS diet（25.5 kg/hd/d）than either baleage-based diet.Cows offered BAB tended to produce more milk than cows offered MBB based TMR（28.4 vs 26.1 kg/hd/d）,but both baleage diets generated less milk than CCS-based diets（33.1 kg/hd/d）.Milk cumpusition was similar across diets except for milk protein concentrations which were higher tor CCS than either MBB or BAB diets;however,milk urea nitrogen（MUN） was lowest for cows fed CCS diets.Cow BW gain was higher for BAB than MBB implying that a portion of the higher energy contributed by the alfalfa was being used to replenish weight on these mid lactation cows.Conclusions：Data from this study indicate that alfalfa inter-seeded in bahiagrass sod that produces BAB with as little as 22%alfalfa may improve nutritive value compared to monoculture bahiagrass baleage and marginally improve lactation performance of Holstein cows.However,the CCS diet was vastly superior to either MBB or BAB-based diets for milk production.

Galactagogue effects of Musa x paradisiaca flower extract on lactating rats

Objective:To investigate the potential of Musa x paradisiaca(M.x paradisiaca)flower extracts in promoting milk production of lactating rats and its effects on growth of the suckling pups. Methods:Galactagogue activity was evaluated in terms of quantity of milk produced from the rats treated with petroleum ether,ethanol or water extracts of the flower.Lactating rats(n=5) of Spraque Dawley with six pups each were administered with the extracts in the amount of 500 mg/kg body weight,while the control rats were given an equivalent amount of distilled water.The rats were daily administered via oral feeding starting from Day 5 until Day 14 and the performance of milk production was measured along the experimental period by weight-suckle-weight method. Results were statistically analyzed using SPSS by means of ANOVA at 0.05 and was expressed as their mean±standard deviation.The rates of pups’ growth were measured as the weight gain along the experimental period.Results:The rats treated with aqueous extract produced higher milk than control and ethanol groups.Aqueous extract was identified to increase milk production by 25%,while petroleum ether extract by 18%.The mean of yields produced by the rats during suckling period for aqueous,petroleum ether,ethanol and control were 4.62±2.45,4.37±1.93,3.65±1.89 and 3.69±1.79,respectively.Growth rates of pups for the rats treated with control,aqueous, ethanol extract and petroleum ether were(1.85±0.49),(1.78±0.56),(1.65±0.46)and(1.56±0.42) g/pup, respectively.Conclusions:The present study reveals the potential of M.x paradisiaca flower to enhance milk production of nursing mothers which could be exploited for commercialization of the isolated extract.

Effects of Adding Different Levels of Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) in Diet on Reproduction Performance of Lactating Sows

[Objective] The paper was to investigate effects of adding xylooligosaccharides( XOS) in diet on reproduction performance of lactating sows.[Method]Fifty healthy multiparous sows( Landrace × Yorkshire,3-4 fetuses) with similar parity,body condition and expected date of childbirth were randomly divided into five treatments,10 repeats each treatment,and each treatment contained an individual sow. Treatment 1 was control group( basal diet); treatment 2,treatment 3,treatment 4 and treatment 5 were adding 0. 025%,0. 050%,0. 075% and 0. 100% XOS in the basal diet,respectively. The trial lasted 35 d from 90 d of gestation until weaning. [Result]Compared to control group( treatment 1),there was no significant difference in reproduction performance of sows among four experimental groups( P > 0. 05). With the increasing addition amount of XOS,the production process of sows was shortened; the weaning back fat thickness in treatment 2,treatment 3 and treatment 4 slightly increased,while the estrus intervals in treatment 2,treatment 3,treatment 4 and treatment 5 were shortened.[Conclusion]It was the most economic and effective by adding 0. 050% XOS in the sows diet.

A Cameroonian Traditional Cake (<i>Komba</i>) Prepared Using Yellow Maize Reduce Vitamin A Deficiency in Lactating Mothers

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a widespread public health problem in developing nations affecting greatly pregnant and lactating women. To alleviate the deficiency, many strategies were set up by the Cameroonian authorities. However, the level of VAD is still very high, thus the option of supplementation of foods remains a very important option. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a food supplementation with komba, a Cameroonian traditional yellow maize cake, on vitamin A status of lactating mothers in Ngaoundere town. To achieve this, 40 lactating mothers were recruited in four health facilities of the Ngaoundere town. They were dewormed and subdivided in two groups of 20 subjects each and fed for two months. The test group received 200 g of yellow maize cake while the control group received 200 g of white maize. 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess their food intake during the study period. Blood sample were collected at the beginning and the end of the study and the serum retinol determined. Results show that before the supplementation, 45% of the women had inadequate level of serum retinol in each group. At the end of the 2 months of supplementation, 30% of the control group remained inadequate, while the totality of all the women in the test group had adequate serum retinol levels (≥1.05 μmol/l). That means an improvement of the vitamin A status in the test group. Results also show a significant (p < 0.05) increase of 36.3% of serum retinol in the test group against 3.8% in the control group. The women of the test group had more chances to see their serum retinol increasing compared to the control group. Consumption of yellow maize cake therefore improves the vitamin A status of lactating mothers. The population can therefore change their habits to consume yellow maize instead of the white maize variety popularly consumed.

Energy Balance Data from Lactating Dairy Goats Offered Total Mixed Diets

The objective of the study was to develop a univariate model for analyzing energy balance data from lactating goats at mid lactation and determine maintenance requirements and partial efficiencies of energy utilization. Energy balance data from eight studies involving lactating Murciano-Granadina goats fed total mixed diets, which accounted for a variation in metabolizable energy (MEI) intake, milk energy output (EI), and tissue energy balance, were used. The database included records obtained by indirect calorimetry. Data were adjusted with a mixed model that included the study as a random effect. Then, two multivariate linear models were obtained: metabolizable and net energy models. The metabolizable model was MEI=β0+β2E1+β3Tg+β4T1+ε and the net energy model was E1=β0+β1MEI+β2Tg+β3T1+ε;where β0, β1, β2 and β3 were the parameters, Tg was tissue energy retention and Tl the milk energy derived from body stores. For a better fitted proposed model, net energy for maintenance (NEm) was 283 kJ/kg of Body Weight 0.75 (BW) per day, and the efficiency of utilization of ME for lactation (k1), body weight gain (kg) and body tissue mobilization for milk production (kt) were 62%, 83% and 78%, respectively. Maintenance requirements and partial efficiencies for milk production and tissue energy mobilization were similar to the values proposed by INRA (2018). The increase in the efficiency of utilizing dietary energy for gain, compared with other feeding systems, was partially attributed to the stage of lactation, due to that goats were feeding at mid lactation.