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.

Effects of Herbal Feed Additive on Milk Production of Dairy Cows

[Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the herbal feed additive Zengrujianniusan on the milk production of dairy cows. [Method] Thirty-two black-white lactating cows were randomly divided into four groups, and were fed with forage supplemented with 0 （control group）, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% Zengrujianniusan for 60 d. During this period, the contents of fat, protein and non-fat solid in milk were measured every 20 d. [Result] The milk production of the cows whose forage was added with 0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6% Zengrujianniusan was 4.02%, 12.50%, 14.00% higher than that of the control （P〉0.05）. The herbal feed additive had no significant influence on the contents of fat, milk and non-fat solid in milk, but significantly reduced the number of somatic cells. [Conclusion] The study will provide reference for developing feed additives which is safe and non-toxic to cows and their milk.

Molecularly defined adult-type hypolactasia in school-aged children with a previous history of cow's milk allergy

AIM： To assess the role of lactase non-persistence/per- sistence in school-aged children and their milk-related symptoms. METHODS： The genotypes for the C/T-13910 variant associated with lactase non-persistence/ persistence were determined using PCR-minisequencing in a group of 172 children with a mean age of 8.6 years （SE = 0.02, 93 boys） participating in a follow-up study for cow＇s milk allergy. The parents were asked to assess their children＇s milk consumption and abdominal symptoms. RESULTS： The presence of allergy to cow＇s milk was not associated with the C/C-13910 genotype related with a decline of lactase enzyme activity during childhood （lactase non-persistence）. The frequency of the C/C-13910 genotype （16%） was similar to published figures for the prevalence of adult-type hypolactasia in Finland. The majority of the children （90%） in this series consumed milk but 26% of their families suspected that their children had milk-related symptoms. Forty-eight percent of the children with the C/C-13910 genotype did not drink milk at all or consumed a low lactose containing diet prior to the genotyping （P〈 0.004 when compared to the other genotypes）. CONCLUSION： Analysis of the C/T-13910 polymorphism is an easy and reliable method for excluding adult-type hypolactasia in children with milk-related symptoms. Genotyping for this variant can be used to advise diets for children with a previous history of cow＇s milk allergy.

Effects of Cow’s Milk on Reproduction in ICR Male Mice

Objective To study the effects of Cow＇s milk on the reproduction in male mice. Methods Twenty-four male mice were divided randomly into two groups： milk group （M） and control group （C）. Each mouse was given 10 mL milk per day from 4 to 16 weeks in the group M. At the age of 17 weeks, all the mice were sacrificed. Results Serum testosterone was decreased in the group M （P=0.037）. No significant difference was found in weight of testes, seminal vesicle or adrenal gland of mice between the groups C and M. However, the weight of seminal vesicle decreased when expressed in g/100 g body weight in the group M. Epididymal sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and sperm head number were not affected by milk. Conclusion Cow＇s milk has adverse effects on the reproductive system in ICR male mice. Further studies are needed to clarify the specific effects of milk on reproductive health.

Milk fat globule membrane supplementation protects againstβ-lactoglobul-ininduced food allergy in mice via upregulation of regulatory T cells and enhancement of intestinal barrier in a microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids manner

Milk fat globule membrane(MFGM),which contains abundant glycoproteins and phospholipids,exerts beneficial effects on intestinal health and immunomodulation.The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects and possible underlying mechanisms of MFGM on cow’s milk allergy(CMA)in aβ-lactoglobulin(BLG)-induced allergic mice model.MFGM was supplemented to allergic mice induced by BLG at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight.Results demonstrated that MFGM alleviated food allergy symptoms,decreased serum levels of lipopolysaccharide,pro-inflammatory cytokines,immunoglobulin(Ig)E,Ig G1,and Th2 cytokines including interleukin(IL)-4,while increased serum levels of Th1 cytokines including interferon-γand regulatory T cells(Tregs)cytokines including IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β.MFGM modulated gut microbiota and enhanced intestinal barrier of BLG-allergic mice,as evidenced by decreased relative abundance of Desulfobacterota,Rikenellaceae,Lachnospiraceae,and Desulfovibrionaceae,while increased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes,Lactobacillaceae and Muribaculaceae,and enhanced expressions of tight junction proteins including Occludin,Claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1.Furthermore,MFGM increased fecal short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)levels,which elevated G protein-coupled receptor(GPR)43 and GPR109A expressions.The increased expressions of GPR43 and GPR109A induced CD103+dendritic cells accumulation and promoted Tregs differentiation in mesenteric lymph node to a certain extent.In summary,MFGM alleviated CMA in a BLG-induced allergic mice model through enhancing intestinal barrier and promoting Tregs differentiation,which may be correlated with SCFAs-mediated activation of GPRs.These findings suggest that MFGM may be useful as a promising functional ingredient against CMA.

Milk production and composition and metabolic alterations in the mammary gland of heat-stressed lactating dairy cows

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of heat stress(HS) on the feed intake, milk production and composition and metabolic alterations in the mammary gland of dairy cows. Twenty Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of two treatments according to a completely randomized design. Half of the cows were allocated to the HS group in August(summer season), and the other half were assigned to the HS-free group in November(autumn season). HS reduced(P<0.01) dry matter intake(DMI), milk yield, milk protein and milk urea nitrogen(MUN) of cows compared with HSfree control, but increased(P<0.01) milk somatic cell counts(SCC). We determined the HS-induced metabolic alterations and the relevant mechanisms in dairy cows using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry combined with multivariate analyses. Thirty-four metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of HS in dairy cows. Ten of these metabolites, glucose, lactate, pyruvate, lactose, β-hydroxybutyrate, citric acid, α-ketoglutarate, urea, creatine, and orotic acid, had high sensitivity and specificity for HS diagnoses, and seven metabolites were also identified as potential biomarkers of HS in plasma, milk, and liver. These substances are involved in glycolysis, lactose, ketone, tricarboxylic acid(TCA), amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, indicating that HS mainly affects lactose, energy and nucleotide metabolism in the mammary gland of lactating dairy cows. This study suggested that HS might affect milk production and composition by affecting the feed intake and substance metabolisms in the mammary gland tissue of lactating dairy cows.

Treatment of rectal prolapse in children with cow milk injection sclerotherapy:30-year experience

AIM:To evaluate the role and our experience of injecti-on sclerotherapy with cow milk in the treatment of rectal prolapse in children. METHODS:In the last 30 years (1976-2006) we made 100 injections of sclerotherapy with cow milk in 86 chil-dren. In this study we included children who failed to respond to conservative treatment and we perform ope-rative treatment. RESULTS:In our study we included 86 children and in all of the patients we perform cow milk injection sclerot-herapy. In 95.3% (82 children) of patients sclerotherapy was successful. In 4 (4.7%) patients we had recurrent rectal prolapse where we performed operative treatment. Below 4 years we had 62 children (72%) and 24 older children (28%). In children who needed operative trea-tment we performed Thiersch operation and without any complications. CONCLUSION:Injection sclerotherapy with cow milk for treatment rectal prolapse in children is a simple and effective treatment for rectal prolapse with minimal com-plications.

An Essential Oil Blend Decreases Methane Emissions and Increases Milk Yield in Dairy Cows

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a commercial essential oil (EO) additive on milk production and methane (CH4) emissions from dairy cows. Early lactation Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were fed grass, whole crop wheat and corn silage total mixed ration. Cows were allocated to one of two experimental treatments: Control (no additive, CON) or 1 g/head/day of EO. Cows were housed in a free stall barn, split into two pens for the duration of the experiment. Two gas data loggers units used to measure CH4 emissions were provided per pen for the duration of the 22 week-long study. Milk yield was determined daily, and milk components were analyzed every two weeks. CH4 was recorded continuously, and daily values were tabulated. Body weight and body condition score were determined at the start and bi-weekly. Results were analyzed as a randomized complete block trial. In total, 149 cows participated in the study (76 CON, 73 EO). Milk yields were greater (P < 0.05) for the test treatment (28.3 CON, 31.2 EO) with no change in milk component concentrations. Milk component concentrations were unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatment. Yields of fat, protein, lactose, and solids were higher for EO fed cows (P 4 output was reduced with the EO compared to the CON treatment (411 g/day vs 438 g/day;13.8 g/L of milk vs 17.2 g/L of milk, P < 0.05) over the duration of the trial. There were no effects of treatment on reproductive performance or the occurrence of mastitis. Feeding EO to dairy cows reduced CH4 emissions whilst also increasing performance.

Effects of supplementation of green tea extract on the milk performance of peripartal dairy cows and the expression of stress response genes in the liver

Background: We hypothesised that supplementation of green tea extract(GTE) in dairy cows during the transition period can attenuate proinflammatory conditions and prevent endoplasmic reticulum(ER) stress in the liver of these cows. Thirty Holstein cows with an average parity of 3.06(± 1.31, SD) were divided into a control group and a group that received a daily amount of 10 g of GTE from d 7 before the calving day and a daily amount of 20 g of GTE from the day of calving until d 7 of lactation.Results: Cows supplemented with GTE did not show differences in energy intake or milk yield in weeks 2–7 of lactation. However, these cows had a lower milk fat concentration and a lower energy corrected milk yield than the control cows and showed a trend of improved energy balance. The relative m RNA concentrations of proinflammatory genes, genes involved in the acute phase reaction and antioxidant genes in the liver in weeks 1, 4 and 7 of lactation were not different between the two groups of cows. The concentrations of α-tocopherol and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity in plasma were not different between the two groups. However, the group supplemented with GTE showed significant reductions of some genes of the unfolded protein response(UPR) in week 1 and a trend of lower liver triacylglycerol(TAG) concentrations in the liver compared to the control group.Conclusions: This study shows that supplementation of GTE in dairy cows lowers the fat concentration in the milk but overall has no effect on the expression of inflammatory genes and the antioxidative status in dairy cows during early lactation. The finding of reduced m RNA levels of genes involved in the UPR at week 1, however, supports other results showing that supplementation of polyphenols could prevent the development of ER stress in the liver of cows during early lactation. The finding of a tendency towards a reduced TAG concentration in the liver of cows supplemented with GTE might be due to an improved energy balance in these cows.

Magnetic metal organic framework for pre-concentration of ampicillin from cow milk samples

The aim of this study is a present of a simple solvothermal synthesis approach to preparation of Cu-based magnetic metal organic framework(MMOF)and subsequently its application as sorbent for ultrasound assisted magnetic solid phase extraction(UAMSPE)of ampicillin(AMP)from cow milk samples prior to high performance liquid chromatography-Ultraviolet(HPLC-UV)determination.Characteristics of prepared MMOF were fully investigated by different techniques which showed the exclusive properties of proposed sorbent in terms of proper functionality,desirable magnetic property and also high specific surface area.Different influential factors on extraction recovery including sorbent dosage,ultrasonic time,washing solvent volume and eluent solvent volume were assessed using central composite design(CCD)based response surface methodology(RSM)as an operative and powerful optimization tool.This is the first report for determination of AMP using MMOF.The proposed method addressed some drawbacks of other methods and sorbents for determination of AMP.The presented method decreases the extraction time(4 min)and also enhances adsorption capacity(250 mg/g).Moreover,the magnetic property of presented sorbent(15 emu/g)accelerates the extraction process which does not need filtration,centrifuge and precipitation procedures.Under the optimized conditions,the proposed method is applicable for linear range of 1.0-5000.0 μg/L with detection limit of 0.29 μg/L,satisfactory recoveries(≥95.0%)and acceptable repeatability(RSD less than 4.0%).The present study indicates highly promising perspectives of MMOF for highly effective analysis of AMP in complicated matrices.

Elimination of ceftiofur hydrochloride residue in postpartum cows' milk after intramammary infusing at dry-off

The purpose of this study was to investigate the residue elimination of ceftiofur hydrochloride in milk of postpartum cows after intramammary infusing at dry-off. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/ MS） method was developed and validated to detect ceftiofur hydrochloride residue in milk. Through preprocessing, ceftiofur hydrochloride was derivatized into a more stable compound dedfuroyl ceftiofur acetamide （DCA） for further analysis. The linear range of DCA was 0.1 to 50 μg kg-1. Average recoveries of DCA were 82.52-105.86％. The intra-day and interday coefficients of variation （CV） were 2.95-9.82 and 6.41-7.43％, respectively. The limit of detection （LOD） and limit of quantitation （LOQ） scores were 0.05 and 0.1 μg kg-1, respectively. These parameters showed this method was reliable and valid. Twelve cows were administrated 10 mL ceftiofur hydrochloride by intramammary infusion （corresponding to 500 mg ceftiofur） to each udder after the last milking before the dry-off period. Milk was collected from each udder of cow at 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h after calving and was mixed for each time point and each cow, then subjected to UPLC-MS/MS analysis. The results showed, the DCA concentrations in all milk samples were less than LOQ and the maximum residue limit （MRL） 100 μg kg-1, which suggested the withdrawal time of ceftiofur hydrochloride intramammary infusion used for preventing and curing mastitis in dry cows was 0 day. The study provided guidance for the clinical applications of ceftiofur hydrochloride intramammary infusion （dry cow）.

Cortisol levels in skimmed milk during the first 22 weeks of lactation and response to short-term metabolic stress and lameness in dairy cows

Background： Cortisol is secreted into blood in reaction to acute stress, but also in phases of diminished feed intake and changed animal behavior. As cows do not always show clear signs of discomfort, reliable diagnostic markers could be used to provide information regarding individual cows＇ distress. The objective of this study was to establish an ether free immunoassay for the detection of cortisol and to determine values during the first 22 weeks of lactation. Furthermore, the response in milk cortisol levels was assessed during times of metabolic stress and pain associated symptoms of lameness. Methods： Milk yield and composition, blood serum glucose, NEFA and BHBA as well as milk cortisol were determined in 24 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows over the course of the first 22 weeks of lactation. Animals were further checked for signs of clinical diseases on a daily basis. Two feed restrictions over three days （FR; 70 % of precious ad libitum intake） were performed during the 4th wk and the 21st wk, respectively. An ELISA for cortisol measurement in easily accessible bovine skimmed milk was established and applied. Results： On the last day of FR in early lactation, a reduction in milk yield and changes in serum metabolites compared to respective previous values were detected. The FR in mid-lactation resulted in no changes in milk production and serum metabolites. Milk cortisol was highest during first wk of lactation and remained on comparable levels thereafter. Milk yield and composition were not influenced by FR. Lameness resulted in enhanced milk cortisol levels. Conclusion： Milk cortisol could be used as an indicator of painful symptoms such as lameness. Higher values of milk cortisol levels during first wk of lactation should be taken into account for interpretation.

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.

Effect of dietary phosphorus content on milk production and phosphorus excretion in dairy cows

Background：Phosphorus（P） supplementation is costly and can result in excess P excretion.This study investigated the effects of reducing dietary P on milk production and P excretion in dairy cows over a full lactation.Method：Forty-five multiparous Holstein dairy cows were divided into 15 blocks according to expected calving date and previous milk yield,and assigned randomly to one of the three dietary treatments：0.37,0.47,and 0.57%P（DM basis）;these P levels represent the NRC recommendations,Chinese recommendations,and the amount of dietary P commonly fed by Chinese dairy farmers,respectively.Average daily feed intake was calculated from monthly data on feed offered and refused.Milk yields of individual cows were recorded weekly,and milk samples were taken for analysis of protein,fat,solids-not-fat,lactose,and somatic cell count.Blood samples were collected on days-6,-3,0,3,6 relative to calving,and then monthly throughout lactation,and analyzed for P and Ca concentrations.Spot samples of feces and urine were collected for 3 consecutive d during weeks 12,24,and 36,and P concentrations were analyzed.Reproduction and health data were recorded.Results：Dietary P did not affect dry matter intake or milk yield（P〉 0.10）.Milk fat content was slightly higher in cows fed 0.37%P than in cows fed 0.47%P（P = 0.05）.Serum concentrations of P and Ca did not reflect dietary P content（P〉 0.10）.Fecal and urinary P both declined linearly（P〈 0.05） as dietary P decreased from 0.57 to0.37%.Fecal P content was 25%less when dietary P was 0.37%compared to 0.57%.Health events and reproductive performance were not associated with dietary P content（P〉 0.05）.Conclusions：Lowering dietary P from 0.57 to 0.37%did not negatively affect milk production,but did significantly reduce P excretion into environment.

First Report in China on the Identification and Drug Sensitivity of Mycobacterium elephantis Isolated from the Milk of a Cow with Mastitis

Objective In this study, milk from a cow with mastitis was analyzed to determine the presence of mycobacterial infection. Milk quality and security problems pertaining to the safe consumption of dairy products were also discussed in this study. Methods Milk was preprocessed with 4% NaOH. Then, mycobacteria were isolated from the milk sample on L-J medium. The isolate was identified using multiple loci Polymerase Chain Reaction （PCR） and multi-locus sequence analysis with 16S rRNA, sodA, hsp65, and ITS genes. The drug sensitivity of the isolate to 27 antibiotics was tested through alamar blue assay. Results Smooth, moist, pale yellow colonies appeared on the L-J medium within a week after inoculation. Based on the results of multiple loci PCR analysis, the isolate was preliminarily identified as non-tuberculous mycobacteria. The 16S rRNA, SodA, hsp65, and ITS gene sequences of the isolate exhibited 99%, 99%, 99%, and 100% similarities, respectively, with those of the published reference strains of Mycobacteriurn elephantis （M. elephantis）. The drug sensitivity results showed that the strain is resistant to isoniazid, p-aminosalicylic acid, and trimesulf but is sensitive to ofloxacin, rifampicin, amikacin, capreomycin, moxifloxacin, kanamycin, levofloxacin, cycloserine, ethambutol, streptomycin, tobramycin, rifabutin, ciprofloxacin, linezolid, cefoxitin, clarithromycin, and minocycline. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this study is initially to report the isolation of M. elephantis from the milk of a cow with mastitis in China.

Feeding Polyunsaturated Supplements to Grazing Dairy Cows Improve the Healthy Value of Milk Fatty Acids

The objective of the experiment was to improve the healthy value of milk fatty acids (FA) by feeding sunflower oil (SO) or sunflower seed (SS) combined or not with fish oil (FO) to grazing dairy cows. Four Holstein cows (515 ± 80 kg liveweight) in late lactation (230 days postpartum) fitted with ruminal cannulae were allotted to a 4 × 4 Latin square design with factorial arrangement of treatments: SS = 1.9 kg dry matter (DM)/cow/d of SS;SO = 0.8 kg/cow/d of SO;SS-FO = SS + 0.24 kg/cow/d FO and SO-FO = SO + 0.24 kg/FO. Cows grazed a high quality pasture offered at 11 kg DM/cow/day. After the afternoon milking cows also received 5.6 kg DM/cow of corn silage and during each milking time cracked corn grain (1.3 kg DM/cow) mixed with a mineral-vitamin premix was fed. Oils and SS were introduced via ruminal cannulae and SS was fed roughly grounded. Milk yield tended (p 12:0, 51% for C14:0 and 29% for C16:0. Atherogenicity index (AI) of milk was reduced particularly in SS-FO. Basal concentration of cis-9, trans-11 C18:2 (CLA) in milk was 1.39 g/100g FA and increased (p < 0.05) by 144% across treatments without differences between SS or SO. Feeding FO increased (p < 0.05) milk contents of CLA (2.86 to 3.92 g/100g FA) and linolenic acid. Comparing SO or SS with or without FO showed no changes for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude protein (CP) degradation of pasture. Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) fed to grazing dairy cows had a marked effect on milk FA profile putatively enhancing its healthy value.

Milk Yield and Composition and Pasture Ruminal Digestion in Grazing Dairy Cows Receiving Three Levels of Energy Concentrate Supplementation

The objective of the experiment was to determine the effect of feeding three levels (T3.5, T7.0 and T10.5) of energy concentrate (3.5, 7.0 and 10.5 kg cow-1 day-1) on total dry matter (DM) and energy intakes, milk yield and composition, nutritional value of milk and rumen pasture neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestion in grazing dairy cows. Twenty-one multiparous Holstein cows in early lactation (70.2 ± 13 days postpartum) producing 37.1 (±4.7) kg of milk were assigned to a 3 treatments (7 cows/treatment) × 3 periods Latin square design. Parameters of ruminal environment and pasture NDF degradation were obtained using 3 additional cows of the same breed fitted with rumen cannulae. On a wet basis, concentrate was composed by corn grain (68%), soybean meal (22%), wheat bran (8%) and a vitamin-mineral nucleus with monensin. Pasture (Medicago sativa, sp) was used in a rotational grazing system with an herbage allowance of 30 kg DM cow-1 d-1. Yield (kg cow-1 d-1) of fat corrected milk (4% FCM) resulted higher (p < 0.05) in T7.0 (29.0) compared to T3.5 (26.8) but similar to T10.5 (30.2). Milk and protein yields were linearly increased (p < 0.01) by concentrate intake. Milk fat (3.13 g/100g) and total solid contents (11.79 g/100g) did not differ whereas milk protein (p < 0.03) and casein (p < 0.01) levels (g/100g) increased linearly from 3.05 to 3.10 (protein) and from 2.42 to 2.47 (casein). Pasture intake decreased but total DM and energy consumption were enhanced showing addition effects after concentrate feeding. Body weight (BW) loss and plasmatic levels of non esterified fatty acids (NEFA) decreased with concentrate intake. Circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were higher (p < 0.05) in T10.5 while those of glucose, plasma urea nitrogen, insulin and somatotrophin were not affected. Ruminal pH and acetate concentration resulted lower (p < 0.05) in T10.5 when compared to T3.5. The acetate:propionate ratio decreased (p < 0.01) from 4.25 in T3.5 to 3.08 in T10.5 and ruminal ammonia nitrogen levels tended (p < 0.07) to be lower as concentrate intake increased. Kinetics parameters of NDF degradation remained unchanged. The potential hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (FA) of milk (C12:0 to C16:0.) remained unchanged as concentrate intake increased. Milk content of linolenic acid decreased and the n-6:n-3 ratio increased with concentrate intake from 1.56 (T3.5) to 2.57 (T10.5) remaining below the recommended values for human health (<4:1). Milk content of antioxidant vitamins was not significantly altered even when pasture DM intake fall in T10.5 compared to T3.5. Increased consumption of a starch-rich concentrate up to 40% of DM intake of cows showed additive effects on total DM and energy intakes improving milk yield, milk protein and casein contents without negative effects on milk fat concentration or yield. Pasture fiber digestion and nutritional parameters linked to healthy value of milk fat were not affected.

Effect of daidzein on milk yield,components of milk and hormones in serum of dairy cows

Four Holstein dairy cows in the 7th month of late lactation were sampled, and self-control method was used. Daidzein was added to the concentrated feed at the dose of 10mg/kg during the treatment stage. Results showed that daidzein lessened the declining tendency of milk yield in late lactation and increased the milk yield to some extents. Lactoprotein was evidently increased (P<0.01), while milkfat was not affected evidently. The level of T4 in serum was evidently increased (P<0.05); the levels of GH, PRL, E2 and TSH in serum were prone to rising while T3 was prone to decreasing . It was concluded that daidzein could indirectly affect milk yield and components of milk by regulating the levels of intrinsic hormones.

Multi‑omics reveals that the host‑microbiome metabolism crosstalk of differential rumen bacterial enterotypes can regulate the milk protein synthesis of dairy cows

Background Dairy cows’lactation performance is the outcome of the crosstalk between ruminal microbial metabo-lism and host metabolism.However,it is still unclear to what extent the rumen microbiome and its metabolites,as well as the host metabolism,contribute to regulating the milk protein yield(MPY).Methods The rumen fluid,serum and milk of 12 Holstein cows with the same diet(45%coarseness ratio),parity(2–3 fetuses)and lactation days(120–150 d)were used for the microbiome and metabolome analysis.Rumen metabolism(rumen metabolome)and host metabolism(blood and milk metabolome)were connected using a weighted gene co-expression network(WGCNA)and the structural equation model(SEM)analyses.Results Two different ruminal enterotypes,with abundant Prevotella and Ruminococcus,were identified as type1 and type2.Of these,a higher MPY was found in cows with ruminal type2.Interestingly,[Ruminococcus]gauvreauii group and norank_f_Ruminococcaceae(the differential bacteria)were the hub genera of the network.In addition,differential ruminal,serum and milk metabolome between enterotypes were identified,where the cows with type2 had higher L-tyrosine of rumen,ornithine and L-tryptophan of serum,and tetrahydroneopterin,palmitoyl-L-carnitine,S-lactoylglutathione of milk,which could provide more energy and substrate for MPY.Further,based on the identi-fied modules of ruminal microbiome,as well as ruminal serum and milk metabolome using WGCNA,the SEM analysis indicated that the key ruminal microbial module1,which contains the hub genera of the network([Ruminococcus]gauvreauii group and norank_f_Ruminococcaceae)and high abundance of bacteria(Prevotella and Ruminococcus),could regulate the MPY by module7 of rumen,module2 of blood,and module7 of milk,which contained L-tyrosine and L-tryptophan.Therefore,in order to more clearly reveal the process of rumen bacterial regulation of MPY,we established the path of SEM based on the L-tyrosine,L-tryptophan and related components.The SEM based on the metabolites suggested that[Ruminococcus]gauvreauii group could inhibit the energy supply of serum tryptophan to MPY by milk S-lactoylglutathione,which could enhance pyruvate metabolism.Norank_f_Ruminococcaceae could increase the ruminal L-tyrosine,which could provide the substrate for MPY.Conclusion Our results indicated that the represented enterotype genera of Prevotella and Ruminococcus,and the hub genera of[Ruminococcus]gauvreauii group and norank_f_Ruminococcaceae could regulate milk protein synthesis by affecting the ruminal L-tyrosine and L-tryptophan.Moreover,the combined analysis of enterotype,WGCNA and SEM could be used to connect rumen microbial metabolism with host metabolism,which provides a fundamental understanding of the crosstalk between host and microorganisms in regulating the synthesis of milk composition.

Assessment of a Precaution Index for Environmental Evaluation: An Example of Application to the Cow’s Milk Production

The paper presents a Precaution Index (P) developed to create an instrument to assess the potential risk related to the presence of pollution sources next to milk production farms. The methodology starts from the inventory and geo-referencing of all pollution sources in an area, with the help of the multi-criteria decision analysis. Results are represented in a map of P, which highlights which areas are most at risk and need monitoring, and which pollutants may be involved. This may help in the early identification of emerging hazards to food safety. P was calculated for the milk production in an Italian region. Results show that 97% of the area is in a condition of minimum precaution that would be needed in controlling the safety of dairy products.