Study on the Effects of Chinese Herb Additive on Milk Yield and Anti-heat Stress Ability of Holstein Cow

[Objective] The research aimed to explore the effects of Chinese herb additive on milk yield and anti-heat stress ability of Holstein cow.[Method] 36 Holstein cows with similar birth order and milk yield were equally and randomly divided into 3 groups which were control group, Chinese medicine Ⅰ group and Chinese medicine Ⅱ group. In control group, cows were fed with basic feed, while in Chinese medicine Ⅰ group, cows were fed with basic feed containing 4% compound Chinese herb additive and in Chinese medicine Ⅱ group, cows were fed with basic feed containing 3% compound Chinese herb additive.All cows in the 3 groups were analyzed comparatively.[Result] Adding some compound Chinese herb additive into basic feed would increase milk yield and anti-heat stress ability of Holstein cow,besides,it also could decrease cow diseases such as cow mastitis.Chinese medicine Ⅰ would generate the highest economic benefit of practical production.[Conclusion] Adding Chinese herb additive into basic feed is an effective way for reliefing heat stress and increasing milk yield.

Identification Effects of Pedometer on Estrus of Holstein Cows during Peak Lactation Period

[Objective]The paper was to discuss identification effects of pedometer on estrus of Holstein cows during peak lactation period. [Method]The estrus of Holstein cows during peak lactation period were identified by manual observation and pedometer monitoring. [Result]Compared with manual observation,the detection rate of estrus in Holstein cows using pedometer monitoring was increased by 24. 01%,which reduced the labor cost and enhanced accuracy rate. [Conclusion]The research could provide reliable basis for estrus identification of cows.

Milk Yield of Holstein Cows Induced into Lactation Twice Consecutively and Lactation Curve Models Fitted to Artificial Lactations

Nineteen multiparous barren Holstein cows were subjected to an induction of lactation protocol for 21 d administering estradiol cypionate （2 mg kg-1 of body weight （BW） d-1, on day 1 to 14）, progesterone （0.10 mg kg-1 of BW, on day 1 to 7）, lfumethasone （0.03 mg kg-1 of BW, on day 18 to 20） and recombinant bovine somatotropin （rbST;500 mg per cow, on day 1, 6, 16 and 21）. At the end of lactation and with a minimum of a 2-mon dry period, the same cows were again hormonally induced into lactation. Cows in both lactations were not artiifcially inseminated, they were milked 3 times daily and received rbST throughout lactation. Mean accumulated milk yield at 305 d in milk （DIM） did not differ between the ifrst and second induced lactations （（9 710 ＆#177;1 728） vs. （9 309＆#177;2 150） kg;mean＆#177;SD）. Total milk yield （（12 707＆#177;3 406） vs. （12 306＆#177;4 218） kg;mean＆#177;SD） and lactation length （（405＆#177;100） vs. （410＆#177;91） d;mean＆#177;SD） were not different between the ifrst and second induced lactations. In a second study, 15 empirical models including exponential, power law, yield-density, sigmoidal and miscellaneous models were compared for their suitability by modeling 12-mon （n=334）, 18-mon （n=164） and 29-mon （n=22） lactation cycles of Holsteins cows induced into lactation and treated with rbST throughout the lactation. Hoerl （Y=ab1/xxc）, Wood （Y=axb exp（cx）） and Dhanoa （Y=ax（bc）exp（cx）） models were equally suitable to describe 12-mon lactations. An exponential model with ifve parameters （Y=exp（a＋bx＋cd2＋e/x）） showed the best ift for milk yield for 18-mon lactations. The rational model （Y=a＋bx/1＋cx＋dx2） was found to produce the closest ift for 29-mon lactations. It was concluded that, with the protocol used in the present study, multiparous cows respond favorably to a second cycle of induced lactation, with milk yield similar to that experienced during the ifrst cycle. Thus, dairy producers might be able to lengthen the productive life of infertile high producing cows with a renewal of artiifcial lactation, which would imply an overall reduction in voluntary culling of cows. Also, various equations used to describe the lactation curves demonstrated the potential for iftting monthly milk records of Holstein cows with prolonged lactations and induced hormonally into lactation.

Evaluation of Holstein cows with different tongue‑rolling frequencies:stress immunity,rumen environment and general behavioural activity

Background The tongue-rolling behaviour of cows is regarded as an outward sign of stressed animals in a low welfare status.The primary aim of this observational study was to evaluate the association between the frequency of tongue-rolling behaviour and its physiological function.The secondary aim was to explore the relationship between general activities and the frequency of tongue-rolling behaviour of cows.A total of 126 scan sampling behavioural observations were collected over 7 d on 348 Holstein cows with the same lactation stage in the same barn.The tongue-rolling frequency was defined as the number of tongue-rolling observations as a percentage to the total observations per individual cow.According to their tongue-rolling frequency,the cows were grouped into the CON(no tongue-rolling),LT(frequency 1%),MT(frequency 5%),and HT(frequency 10%)groups.Six cows from each group were randomly selected for sampling.Serum samples,rumen fluid,milk yield,and background infor-mation were collected.The general behaviour data during 72 continuous hours of dairy cows,including eating time,rumination time,food time(eating time+rumination time),and lying time,were recorded by the collar sensor.Results Cortisol(P=0.012),γ-hydroxybutyric acid(P=0.008),epinephrine(P=0.030),and dopamine(P=0.047)levels were significantly higher in tongue-rolling groups than in the CON group.Cortisol levels and tongue-rolling frequency had a moderate positive correlation(linearly r=0.363).With the increase in tongue-rolling frequency,the rumen pH decreased first and then increased(P=0.013),comparing to the CON group.HT cows had significantly less food time than CON cows(P=0.035).The frequency of tongue-rolling had a moderate negative relationship with rumination time(r=-0.384)and food time(r=-0.492).Conclusions The tongue-rolling behaviour is considered as a passive coping mechanism,as the stress response in cows with high tongue-rolling frequency increased.Food intake and rumination activities were all closely related to the occurrence of tongue-rolling behaviour.

Growth and Development Regularity of Holstein Cows

[ Objective ] The paper was to study growth and physical structure of Holstein cows at specific phase under intensive rearing conditions in the South China. [ Method] The body sizes of 279 Holstein cows including 49 calves, 35 young cows and 195 adult cows in the experimental farm of Yangzhou University were measured. The raw data were processed by computer to obtain body size index at various physiological stages. The body size indexes were analyzed by SPSS 15.0 software to reflect changes in different physiological stages and various parities of cows. Body size indexes such as body height, body length and heart girth of young cows and calves were fitted by scatter plot. [ Result] The eider the cows were, the longer their bodies were. Calves had a stable growth and development. The body size of young cow at different month-ages was imbalanced. The physical structure of adult cows showed no regularity at different parities, so the specific feeding for growth and development of bone should be strengthened in multiparous cows. [ Conclusion] The study provides reference for keeping management of calves, breeding and keeping management of young cows as well as selection and assortative mating of adult cows.

A comparative study of the intestinal digestive characteristics of diferent feeds for Holstein cows

This experiment was conducted with lactating Chinese Holstein cows to study the nutritional value of local protein feed resources.A three-step method(TSP)and a modifed three-step method(MTSP)were used to measure the in vitro digestibility of rumen undegraded protein(RUP)for 11 feedstufs and correlation.Eleven experimental feeds were chosen and air-dried to investigate the efects of diferent growth periods and varieties on nutrition value and RUP digestibility.The small intestinal digestibility of RUP by TSP in concentrated feed was determined to be higher than that of roughage,approximately 65%.The highest concentrate(79%)was SBM(soybean mean),while the lowest was corn(65%).The proportions of DDGS(with soluble wine lees)and SFM(sunfower meal)were 70.9 and 74.9%,respectively.ASS(alfalfa mowed at the squaring stage)had the highest small intestinal digestibility of RUP(55%)among roughages,and WCS(whole-plant corn silage)had the lowest digestibility(40.5%).When the small intestinal digestibility of RUP was determined using the MTSP method,it exhibited similar results to the TSP method.Nevertheless,the values were generally higher,and there was a strong signifcant correlation between them(R2=0.967,P<0.01).The comparative study of these two methods help us have a better understanding of small intestine digestibility of diferent feeds,make a reasonable feed formula to efectively prevent diseases.

Development of Microbial Fermented Feed and Its Effect on the Production Performance of Holstein Cows

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the development method of microbial fermented feed and its effect on the production performance of Holstein cows.[Methods]Thirty Holstein cows were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups,15 cows in each group.The diet composition of the experimental group was:concentrate supplement added with 30% microbial fermented feed+silage+alfalfa hay,and the diet composition of the control group was:concentrate supplement added with 30% flax cake+silage+alfalfa hay.The experimental period was 60 d.[Results]Compared with the control group,the experimental group increased the average daily milk yield per cow by 2.25%(P>0.05)and the total increase in average milk yield per cow in the experimental period by 43.51%(P<0.01),and reduced the average feed-to-milk ratio by 9.20%(P<0.05).The average gross profit per cow of the experimental group was 40.34 yuan higher than that of the control group,showing an increase of 3.53% in the economic benefit.[Conclusions]Feeding a diet supplemented with the microbial fermented feed could improve the efficiency of Holstein cow farming and is recommended to be promoted.

The Resumption of Ovarian Activity in Postpartum of Chinese-Holstein Cows

Ovarian activitly in 10 postpartum Chinese-Holstein cows was monitored by ultrasonography every other day, stared from day 3 postpartum and finished by the end of a normal ovarian cycle. Meanwhile, the concentrations of progesterone and 17β-oestradiol in peripheral plasma of the cows were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The resutis showed that the first postpartum ovulation was found in 67% of the cows on the ovary opposed to the gravid horn. The first dominant foillicles ovulated for the six of ten cows. The time intervals from calving to the first ovulation were significantly associated with the number of follicular waves (r=0.83, P<0.01). No difference between the diameters of the first and the second ovulated follicles was found in the study, however, the growth rates of the first and the second ovulated follicles were significantly different (P<0.05), and the concentrations of 17β-oestradiol prior to the first ovulation were significantly lower than that before the second ovulation.

Effects of Chinese Herb Additive on Milk Yield and Anti-heat Stress Ability of Holstein Cows

[Objective] To explore the effects of Chinese herb additive on milk yield and anti-heat stress ability of Holstein diary cow. [Method] A total of 36 Holstein cows at same parity and with similar milk yield were randomly divided into three groups, namely, control group, Chinese medi- cine group I and Chinese medicine group I1. The cows in the Chinese medicine group I were fed basal diet containing 4% compound Chinese herb additive; those in the Chinese medicine group II were fed basal diet containing 3% compound Chinese herb additive; and those in the control group were fed common basal diet. All cows in the three groups were analyzed comparatively. [Result] Supplementing some compound Chinese herb ad- ditive into basal diet increased milk yield and anti-heat stress ability of Holstein cows, besides, it also decreased cow diseases like cow mastitis. The Chinese medicine group I generated the highest economic benefit of practical production. [ Conclusion] Supplementing Chinese herb additive in- to basal diet is an effective way to relieve heat stress and increase milk yield.

Use of Random Regression Test-Day Model to Estimate Genetic Parameters of Milk Yield in Holstein Cows

(Co) variance components and genetic parameters were estimated for milk yield of Iranian Holstein cows. A total number of 68,945 milk test-day records of first, second and third lactations of 8515 animals from 100 sires and 7743 dams originated from 34 herds collected during 2007 to 2009 by Iranian animal breeding center were used. The ASReml computer program was used to analyze the milk test-day records using the random regression procedure. Herd test date (HTD), milking times per day (milking frequency), number of lactations, year of birth, year of calving, age of animal at calving and days in milk (DIM) considered as fixed effects and additive genetic effects and animal permanent environmental effects were considered as the random effects. Additive genetic variance, animal permanent environment variance, residual variance, phenotypic variance, heritability and repeatability were estimated during different months of lactation between 5.7 - 19.6, 15.3 - 27.1, 31.4 - 17.2, 45.8 - 64.83, 0.1 - 0.32 and 0.4 - 0.6, respectively. Genetic correlation and phenotypic correlation were also estimated between months of lactation in range of -0.35 - 0.98 and 0.03 - 0.67, respectively. Genetic correlation and phenotypic correlation both showed the same changing pattern and they decreased as the interval between months of lactation increased.

Cloning and Expression of IL-2 Gene from Holstein-Friesian Cow

[Objective] The aim of this study is to clone bovine interleukin-2 gene(IL-2)and observe its expression in prokaryotic cells.[Method]Bovine IL-2 gene was amplified from total RNA of peripheral blood lymphocytes of holstein-friesian cows by RT-PCR.Subsequently,the gene was cloned into pGEX-2T prokaryotic expression plasmid to construct recombinant,which was then transformed into Escherichia Coli BL21.After IPTG induction,SDS-PAGE analysis was conducted.[Result]A 500 bp target fragment corresponding with expectation was obtained by RT-PCR.The cloned gene successfully expressed fusion protein of about 43 kD in prokaryotic cells.[Conclusion]This study provided a theoretical and material basis for further researches on IL-2 gene.

Characterization and mitigation option of greenhouse gas emissions from lactating Holstein dairy cows in East China

Background:This study investigated greenhouse gas(GHG)emission characteristics of lactating Holstein dairy cows in East China and provided a basis for formulating GHG emission reduction measures.GreenFeed system was used to measure the amount of methane(CH_(4))and carbon dioxide(CO_(2))emitted by the cows through respiration.Data from a commercial cow farm were used to observe the effects of parity,body weight,milk yield,and milk component yield on CH_(4) and CO_(2) emissions.Results:Mean herd responses throughout the study were as follows:111 cows completed all experimental processes,while 42 cows were rejected because they were sick or had not visited the GreenFeed system 20 times.On average,lactating days of cows was 138±19.04 d,metabolic weight was 136.5±9.5 kg,parity was 2.8±1.0,dry matter intake(DMI)was 23.1±2.6 kg/d,and milk yield was 38.1±6.9 kg/d.The GreenFeed system revealed that CH_(4) production(expressed in CO_(2) equivalent,CO_(2)-eq)was found to be 8304 g/d,CH_(4)_(CO_(2)−eq)/DMI was 359 g/kg,CH_(4)_(CO_(2)−eq)/energy-corrected milk(ECM)was 229.5 g/kg,total CO_(2) production(CH_(4) production plus CO_(2) production)was 19,201 g/d,total CO_(2)/DMI was 831 g/kg,and total CO_(2)/ECM was 531 g/kg.The parity and metabolic weight of cows had no significant effect on total CO_(2) emissions(P>0.05).Cows with high milk yield,milk fat yield,milk protein yield,and total milk solids yield produced more total CO_(2)(P<0.05),but their total CO_(2) production per kg of ECM was low(P<0.05).The total CO_(2)/ECM of the medium and high milk yield groups was 17%and 27%lower than that of the low milk yield group,respectively.Conclusions:The parity and body condition had no effect on total CO_(2) emissions,while the total CO_(2)/ECM was negatively correlated with milk yield,milk fat yield,milk protein yield,and total milk solids yield in lactating Holstein dairy cows.Measurement of total CO_(2) emissions of dairy cows in the Chinese production system will help establish regional or national GHG inventories and develop mitigation approaches to dairy production regimes.

Establishment of Immortalized Cow Mammary Epithelial Cells Expressing Both h TERT and SV40 T

Vectors of pcDNA3.1-hTERT and pcDNA 3. 1-SV40 T were established. After linearization, they were cotransfected to mammary epithelial cells of Holstein cow, in order to research on the role of hTERT and SV40 T in immortalized mammary epithelial cells in vitro. Both PT-PCR and immunohistochemical as- says of cells were carried out. Results showed that the expression of hTERT and SV40 T could effectively prolong the culture time in vitro of mammary epithelial cells, and enhance the cell passage number. The obtained cell line could be expressed normally, indicating that the in vitro cultured mammary epithelial cells expressing both hTERT and SV40 T could effectively prolong cell llfe without affecting the characteristics of mammary cells.

Protective Effects of Rumen Protected Choline in Dairy Cows

Choline is a necessary nutrient for dairy cows and contributes to milk yield, but most of dietary choline can be degraded by the microorganisms in rumen. Rumen protected choline （RPC） has been developed to protect choline from degradation. To screen stable RPC, choline chloride was coated with acrylic resin no. IV, chitosan and the mixture containing the two lagging covers by fluidized bed coating technology, respectively. Their stability was evaluated in vitro and in situ. The results showed that release rate of RPC coated with acrylic resin no. IV and chitosan was the lowest in rumen and pH 6.6 buffer. And its effective protection rate reached 62.04% in rumen. Therefore, RPC coated with acrylic resin no. IV and chitosan has good stability and protection efficacy in rumen, and it can be used in practice to supply effective choline for the ruminant.

用线性评分法对黑白花奶牛(Holstein)的外貌评定

奶牛体型的线性评分法是近年发展起来的新方法。他是利用直线刻度来度量奶牛体型的 2个极端的全过程 ,然后对照活体按线性方式排列比较 ,最后根据该体型性状的实际表现状态进行评分的。利用此方法对内蒙古农业大学教学牧场黑白花奶牛进行评定的结果表明 ,牛群整体分数不高 ,但比较整齐 ,按鉴定结果进行排队 ,决定其种用价值 。

The Studies of Cellular Constituents in Siynovial Fluid of Carpusand Tarsus in cows

The cellular constituents of the carpus and tarsus were investigated in 6 healthy Holstein cows.The cell counts method in synovial fluid was founded.The differential leukocyte contes were made from smears stained with Wright's and Giemsa's compound stain.There were four types of cells in the synovial fluid,i.e,lymphocytes,neutrophils,macrophages and degenerated cells.The percentages of neutrophils in the synovial fluid was significantly lower than that in the bolld.The eosinophils and basophils were never observed in the smear.

Nutrition Regulation of Dairy Cows based on Extruded Cottonseed Meal

[Objective]The paper was to study the effects of extruded cottonseed meal on the nutrition of dairy cows.[Method]Holstein cows were selected for feeding and milk production test.[Result]Extruded cottonseed meal could substitute soybean meal,and there was no significant difference in milk yield and butter-fat percentage.Extruded cottonseed meal could increase milk yield when substituting corn germ meal.In addition,the health of diary cow had not been affected.[Conclusion]Extruded cottonseed meal could guarantee protein nutrition,increase milk yield,reduce feed cost and improve economic benefit of dairy cows when substituting soybean meal and corn germ meal.

Effects of Replacing Maize Silage with Silage Sweet Sorghum on Milk Production and Blood Biochemical Indexes of Dairy Cows

In order to study the effects of replacing different proportions of silage maize with silage sweet sorghum treated by different fermentation methods on the production performance and blood biochemical indexes of dairy cows,25 Chinese Holstein lactating cows were randomly divided into 5 groups,5 in each group.The control check (CK) was fed the basal diet;for the experimental group 1 and the experimental group 2,50% of the silage maize in the basal diet was replaced with the additive silage sweet sorghum and the conventional silage sweet sorghum,respectively;and as to the experimental group 3 and the experimental group 4,all the silage maize in the basal diet was replaced with additive silage sweet sorghum and conventional silage sweet sorghum,respectively.The preliminary trial period was 7 d,and the trial period was 35 d.The results showed that the experimental group 1 and the experimental group 3 had the dry matter intake significantly higher than that of the experimental group 2,the experimental group 4 and the CK ( P <0.05).The daily milk yields of the experimental group 1 and the experimental group 2 were significantly lower than that of the CK ( P <0.05),and the experimental group 3 and the experimental group 4 were significantly lower than the experimental group 1 and the experimental group 2 ( P <0.05).The milk protein percentage of the experimental group 2 was extremely significantly higher than that of the experimental group 4 ( P <0.01).The experimental group 1,the experimental group 2 and the experimental group 3 showed the blood glucose levels extremely significantly higher than that in the CK ( P <0.01).The blood urea nitrogen contents in the experimental group 2 and the experimental group 4 were significantly higher than those in the experimental group 1 and the CK ( P <0.01).There were no significant differences in other blood biochemical indexes between various groups ( P >0.05).It is feasible to use silage sweet sorghum to feed dairy cows,but the proportion should not be too large,and attention should be paid to the energy and nitrogen balance of the diet.

Analysis of Gut Fungal Community of Cows with Clinical Mastitis

Clinical Mastitis (CM) was one of the most common causes leading health disease in cows. In this article, we gave a new insight to gut fungal community of cows with CM. We chose two cows suffering from CM and four healthy cows from a local cow farm. We classified four healthy cows (H1, H2, H3, H4) into the control group and two cows (CM1, CM2) with CM into the case group. High-throughput sequencing was used to detect the difference of fungal community between the case group and the control group. The difference of gut fungi community was detected both at phylum and genus level. 4 phyla and 98 genera have been detected in the control group and the case group. At the phylum level, we found that the relative abundance of Basidiomycota in the case group was lower than that in the control group. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Saccharomycetales-unclassified and Fungi-unclassified were both higher whereas the relative abundance of Pseudallescheria, Trichosporon, Microascaeae-unclassified, Candida and Scedosprium in the case group was lower compared with the healthy group. Totally, the diversity and abundance of gut fungal community in the case group were lower than the control group. In conclusion, there are some differences of gut fungal community between the control group and the case group and the insights from this study could be used to develop a microbiota-based diagnosis for CM.