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2 pages, 161 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality

by Juan Han and Jiaqi Wang

Agriculture 2023, 13(3), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030702 - 17 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1639

Abstract

Dairy products are becoming increasingly important for improving human health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality)

Research

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11 pages, 1598 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seasonal and Feeding System Effects on Qualitative Parameters of Bovine Milk Produced in the Abruzzo Region (Italy)

by Marco Florio, Claudia Giannone, Andrea Ianni, Francesca Bennato, Lisa Grotta and Giuseppe Martino

Agriculture 2022, 12(7), 917; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12070917 - 23 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1545

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine variations in cow milk composition as a function of breeding system and seasonality. This study was carried out in 16 dairy farms located in the Abruzzo region (Central Italy), equally distributed between farms that adopt [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to examine variations in cow milk composition as a function of breeding system and seasonality. This study was carried out in 16 dairy farms located in the Abruzzo region (Central Italy), equally distributed between farms that adopt grazing in the spring and summer months, and farms where the intensive system is exploited. Milk was sampled in all seasons in each of the farms involved and was analyzed with particular attention given to the quality of the lipid and protein fractions. A lower concentration of saturated fatty acids and an increase in rumenic, vaccenic and oleic acids were registered for milk samples coming from outdoor grazing, in which was also observed the greatest presence of α and β caseins. The opposite result was instead observed for κ casein, which showed the highest values from intensive farming. Evaluations also focused on retinol, which significantly increased in concentration during summer in both breeding systems. The present results suggest positive insights into the role of the outdoor breeding system in improving the main qualitative trait of bovine milk in warm seasons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality)

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13 pages, 284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Responses of Lactation, Rumen Fermentation and Blood Biochemical Parameters with Increasing Dietary Inulin Supplementation in Mid-Lactation Dairy Cows

by Yiguang Zhao, Yue Wang, Xuemei Nan, Linshu Jiang, Yapin Wang, Jun Liu, Junhu Yao, Md. Tanvir Rahman and Benhai Xiong

Agriculture 2022, 12(4), 521; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12040521 - 07 Apr 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2238

Abstract

Effects of dietary supplementation of inulin in dairy cows were investigated in this study. Thirty-six mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows were randomly divided into six groups with six cows per group and offered a total mixed ration supplemented with 0 (control), 50, 150, 200, [...] Read more.

Effects of dietary supplementation of inulin in dairy cows were investigated in this study. Thirty-six mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows were randomly divided into six groups with six cows per group and offered a total mixed ration supplemented with 0 (control), 50, 150, 200, 250 and 350 g/d inulin per head, respectively. The animals were pre-fed for 2 weeks before rumen fluid, milk and blood samples were collected weekly for 3 weeks. With increasing inulin doses, milk yield (p < 0.01) and milk fat concentration (p = 0.04) were linearly increased, while milk urea nitrogen (p < 0.01) and somatic cell count (p = 0.04) were linearly decreased. Linear increases were also detected in the proportions of milk saturated fatty acids (p < 0.01) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.04); however, milk monounsaturated fatty acids were linearly decreased (p = 0.04). The ruminal concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate increased, while the ruminal pH and the concentration of NH₃-N reduced at a decreasing rate with increasing inulin doses (p < 0.01). Moreover, the concentrations of lactic acid (p = 0.03) and total volatile fatty acids (p < 0.01) were linearly upregulated. There were linear increases in the serum concentrations of superoxide dismutase (p = 0.02), immunoglobin G (p < 0.01), immunoglobin M (p = 0.04), interleukin-2 (p < 0.01) and interleukin-10 (p = 0.04); quadratic increases in serum total protein (p < 0.01) and albumin (p = 0.02) and linear decreases in serum total cholesterol (p = 0.02), triglyceride (p < 0.01) and malondialdehyde (p < 0.01). The results indicated that inulin increased milk production, shifted milk fatty acid profile, upregulated rumen volatile fatty acid concentration, and enhanced antioxidant and immunity function in dairy cows in a dose-dependent manner. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality)

14 pages, 1394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Dietary Natural Mycotoxins Exposure on Performance, Biochemical Parameters and Milk Small Molecule Metabolic Pathways of Lactating Cows

by Xufang Wu, Liya Guo, Guoxin Huang, Wenhao Tang, Shengguo Zhao, Jiaqi Wang and Yangdong Zhang

Agriculture 2022, 12(3), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12030420 - 16 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2348

Abstract

The presence of mycotoxins in feed has the potential to cause significant detriment to animal and human health, and even severe economic implications. Previous studies on the effects of mycotoxins mainly focused on the addition of commercially available mycotoxins into feeds in animals. [...] Read more.

The presence of mycotoxins in feed has the potential to cause significant detriment to animal and human health, and even severe economic implications. Previous studies on the effects of mycotoxins mainly focused on the addition of commercially available mycotoxins into feeds in animals. In the present study, corn meal and cottonseed were kept in warm and humid conditions to allow for mycotoxins produced and then used to substitute 50% and 100% of normal corn meal and cottonseed in diets for lactating cows for 14 days. The results showed that aflatoxin M1, deoxynivalenol, aflatoxin B1, and zearalenone were primary mycotoxins in milk from cows fed the diets. Compared with the control group, feeding the diets containing mildewy corn meal and cottonseed reduced feed intake, milk yield, and milk fat, protein and lactose productions (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the acetate and valerate concentrations, acetate to propionate ratio, and the calculated CH₄ production in rumen fluid (p > 0.05), whereas, the propionate, butyrate, isovalerate concentrations were affected (p < 0.05) depending on the content and type of natural mycotoxins. Serum creatinine and total glyceride concentrations were influenced with corn meal and cottonseed fully replaced with the mildewy feeds. Metabolic pathways for small molecule metabolites in milk were altered by dietary mycotoxin exposures, and the changes were mainly associated with amino acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, and energy metabolism. However, cows exposed to natural mycotoxins in the diets were still in healthy conditions and had low somatic cell count in milk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality)

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10 pages, 2834 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sequential Action of Different Fiber-Degrading Enzymes Enhances the Degradation of Corn Stover

by Shengguo Zhao, Mohamed Diaby, Nan Zheng and Jiaqi Wang

Agriculture 2022, 12(2), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12020181 - 27 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2484

Abstract

Corn stover is one of the most agricultural residue abundances over the world; however, it is extremely prevented from microbial and enzymatic degradation into monomers because of the complex chemical and physical structure. In order to degrade corn stover, a large variety of [...] Read more.

Corn stover is one of the most agricultural residue abundances over the world; however, it is extremely prevented from microbial and enzymatic degradation into monomers because of the complex chemical and physical structure. In order to degrade corn stover, a large variety of enzymes with different specificities are required. However, each enzyme has its own reaction condition such as optimal pH and temperature to express its maximum activity. We hypothesize that the best sequence of an enzyme reaction could influence the degradation of corn stover. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of enzyme sequence action on the degradation of corn stover. A complete randomized design was used for this study. Four enzymes were used, cellulase (Cel) (pH 4.8 at 50 °C), hemicellulase (Hem) (pH 5 at 50 °C), pectinase (Pec) (pH 4 at 50 °C) and laccase (Lac) (pH 3 at 30 °C). This was subsequently submitted to enzyme sequence digestion following four steps (6 h incubation for each step) during which a single enzyme in each step was evaluated. The substrate (raw corn stover) was placed in sodium acetate buffer with an enzyme. The supernatant was then collected in each step for further chemical analysis. The results showed that there was a significant difference at p < 0.05 between treatments, suggesting that sequential action of fiber-degrading enzymes affected the chemical composition of corn stover. The best enzyme sequence (in terms of the total reducing sugar in different steps) was Hem-Cel-Pec-Lac (2.2 mg/mL) at p < 0.05; however, the worst enzyme sequence was Lac-Pec-Hem-Cel (0.8 mg/mL) at p < 0.05. Almost all the first steps in the process showed an increasing level of reducing sugar except the step which started with Lac where a lower reducing sugar level was observed. Similarly, xylose showed a higher level in all the processes in the first steps regardless of the enzyme type. It was observed that glucose production was totally dependent on the position of Cel in the enzyme sequence. Therefore, enzyme sequence action may be a useful method for corn stover to improve its degradation as feed stock. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality)

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13 pages, 2297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Calving Ease on In-Line Milk Urea and Relationship with Other Milk Characteristics in Dairy Cows

by Mindaugas Televičius, Ramūnas Antanaitis, Vida Juozaitienė, Algimantas Paulauskas, Dovilė Malašauskienė, Mingaudas Urbutis and Walter Baumgartner

Agriculture 2021, 11(11), 1159; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11111159 - 18 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1749

Abstract

The aim of this research was to identify the relationship of calvin ease and level of in-line milk urea (MU) and other milk components, namely milk yield (MY), electrical conductivity (EC), milk fat (MF), milk protein (MP), milk fat/protein ratio (MF/MP), and somatic [...] Read more.

The aim of this research was to identify the relationship of calvin ease and level of in-line milk urea (MU) and other milk components, namely milk yield (MY), electrical conductivity (EC), milk fat (MF), milk protein (MP), milk fat/protein ratio (MF/MP), and somatic cell count (SCC) in dairy cows. The cows for the research were selected following such criteria: cows were tested within the period of up to the first 30 days after calving and had had a range of lactation numbers from two to four. Each selected farm housed more than 500 dairy cows and a total of 4712 calving cases from the eight dairy farms were studied and evaluated. The 4-point scale was used for the evaluation of the calving according to the point value meanings where 1 = easy, unassisted; 2 = easy, assisted; 3 = difficult, assisted; 4 = difficult, requiring veterinary intervention. A total of 4712 calving cases were researched and scored. The chemical properties of milk in all research cows were analyzed during the early phase of lactation (from the onset of calving to 30 days past calving) every day, during each milking. Cows were classified into groups according to the level of urea in milk: Group 1 had MU ≤ 15 mg/dL (12.6% of cows), Group 2 had MU 16–30 mg/dL (62.4% of cows), and Group 3 had MU > 30 mg/dL (25.0% of cows). We found that cows with milk urea levels between 16 and 30 mg/dL had the lowest incidence of dystocia, and also the highest concentration of milk lactose (ML ≥ 4.6%), the lowest mean value of milk electrical conductivity, and the lowest value of milk SCC. Dystocia increased the risk of somatic cell growth in cow’s milk above the herd average (OR = 1.364; 95% CI = 1.184–1.571, p < 0.001), and normal urea in milk reduced this risk (OR = 0.749; 95% CI = 0.642–0.869, p = 0.05). In all groups of cows, according to the level of urea in milk, the productivity of cows without dystocia at calving was higher (2.50–5.51 kg) as well as the milk protein % (0.13–0.21%) and milk lactose % (0.07–0.19%). We concluded that, in all groups of cows, according to the level of urea in milk, the productivity and milk lactose concentration of cows without dystocia at calving was higher, and lower somatic cells count and electrical conductivity values were found in the milk compared with cows diagnosed with dystocia at calving. We can state that dystocia has a negative effect on milk urea concentration and can increase the risk of mastitis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality)

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Review

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13 pages, 972 KiB

Open AccessReview

Anthocyanins in Dairy Cow Nutrition: A Review

by Xingzhou Tian and Qi Lu

Agriculture 2022, 12(11), 1806; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12111806 - 29 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2386

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a condition in dairy cows characterized by an imbalance of prooxidants and antioxidants, abnormally high levels of free radicals, or a decline in antioxidant defense mechanisms. Moreover, dairy cows are more inclined to oxidative stress status, which causes damage to [...] Read more.

Oxidative stress is a condition in dairy cows characterized by an imbalance of prooxidants and antioxidants, abnormally high levels of free radicals, or a decline in antioxidant defense mechanisms. Moreover, dairy cows are more inclined to oxidative stress status, which causes damage to the body and DNA damage resulting in a decline in antioxidant potential. Anthocyanins are effective antioxidants and free radical scavengers derived from fruit, purple corn, and other purple plants in nature. Many studies have shown that anthocyanins have favorable antioxidation effects in dairy cows and prevent lipid oxidation to improve milk quality. Accordingly, in the present paper, we mainly review (1) the definition of anthocyanins and the possible absorption and metabolic pathways; (2) the effect of anthocyanins on rumen fermentation parameters and methane production; (3) the mechanism by which anthocyanins enhance antioxidant potential and alleviate oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals and regulating signalling pathways; and (4) the effect of anthocyanins on milk production and milk lipid oxidation in dairy cows. This paper may provide an important rationale for the modulation of dairy cow health and productivity by anthocyanins in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality)

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18 pages, 355 KiB

Open AccessReview

Association of Milk Somatic Cell Count with Bacteriological Cure of Intramammary Infection—A Review

by Jenna Williamson, Todd Callaway, Emmanuel Rollin and Valerie Ryman

Agriculture 2022, 12(9), 1437; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12091437 - 10 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2323

Abstract

Mastitis is a costly disease in dairy cattle as a result of decreased milk production, discarded milk, and other economic drivers such as treatment costs. Although it can be costly, effective antibiotic therapy is useful to ensure the health and productivity of dairy [...] Read more.

Mastitis is a costly disease in dairy cattle as a result of decreased milk production, discarded milk, and other economic drivers such as treatment costs. Although it can be costly, effective antibiotic therapy is useful to ensure the health and productivity of dairy cattle. Antibiotic usage to treat mastitis can be implemented after diagnosis based upon detection of increased milk somatic cell counts (SCC). Previous work demonstrated antibiotic treatment tends to be more effective when milk SCC are lower prior to treatment. An approach to increasing the cure rates of mastitis may be evaluating milk SCC prior to administering treatment. In order to investigate this potential tool, an effective and reliable method to enumerate SCC is critical. In this review, we (a) dissect the different definitions of cure, (b) review the methods available for enumerating SCC, and (c) discuss factors that are associated with intramammary infection cure with an emphasis on SCC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality)

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