1. 3. Milk production and composition
INTRODUCTION
The periparturient dairy cow experiences a significant metabolic and physiological transition from pregnant, non-lactating through calving to high levels of milk production in early lactation. The majority of metabolic diseases have been reported to occur within the first two weeks of lactation` due to low DMI, high levels of milk production and compromised immune function.
To overcome the decline in energy intake during the critical transition period, a high energy diet must be offered to the cow. Grain supplementation is common to ensure adequate energy intake with the demerit of high susceptibility of cows to acute and subacute ruminal acidosis inducing a variety of effects including reduced feed intake, increased risk of laminitis and consequently poor cow performance.
Strategic supplementation of direct-fed microbials (such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture) to the prepartum cow ration have been investigated as an approach to improve peripartum DMI and ameliorate metabolic disorders and negative energy balance in postpartum dairy cows with contradictory results.
The objectives of this work were to determine effects of peripartum supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae1077 to dairy cows on rumen environment, serum concentrations of glucose, urea, triglycerides and cholesterol as well as milk production and composition.
3. Milk production and composition
2. Serum
Peripartum supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae improved rumen environment, attenuated condition score loss, improved fertility and altered milk composition in high producing Holstein cows.
Rabie L. Abdel Aziza*, Mahmoud M. Husseina and Mohamed M. Abdel-Tawabb
a Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62512, Egypt.
b Animal Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt * A B C D
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Animals.
26 cows (12 served as control and 16 supplemented Saccharomyces cerevisiae daily form 21 days prepartum to 150 days postpartum).
Cows were balanced for milk yield from records of previous lactations.
Feeding.
0.5 gm Saccharomyces cerevisiae1077 per head per day.
Milk sampling and analysis.
Biweekly samples from 15 days postpartum to 150 days postpartum were sent directly to the lab soon after collection. Analysis for various milk components as well as SCC was done by the use of a special milk electronic scanning device (MILKSCAN, Infra-red Thoma-Bentley, Animal Reproduction Research Institute, Giza; Egypt).
Rumen sampling and analysis.
Biweekly samples were obtained (beginning at calving) using a sterile stomach tube avoiding the saliva-rich first 100 ml.
Samples were analyzed for PH, protozoa, VFAs and ammonia.
Serum sampling and analysis.
Analysis for glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen. Biweekly jugular samples.
Body Condition Scoring.
Once weekly on a scale of zero (very thin) to 5 (Obese).
Serum concentrations of glucose (A), urea (B), triglycerides (C) and cholesterol (D) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae-supplemented (treated) and control cows expressed as means±S.E.
Overall mean serum glucose concentration was significantly higher in treated cows compared to controls (P<0.05).
3. Milk production and composition A B C D E F
RESULTS
Rumen environment
4. BCS to 60 days postpartum
5. Reproductive performance
Effects of S. Cerevisiae supplementation on body condition score chang during the first 60 days postpartum in Holstein cows A B
Control cows
Treated cows
3.73±0.047
3.79±0.048
BCS at calving
2.70±0.074
2.90±0.079
BCS 15 days PP
2.75*±0.099
3.36*±0.047
BCS 60 days PP
0.97*±0.018
0.69*±0.037
BCS change to minimum C D
Values expressed as Mean±SE
BCS: Body Condition Score
(*) Significantly different means at P<0.05
Mean±S.E. of indicators of reproductive performance in treated and control cows.
Days to 1st estrus and days to 1st AI were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in treated cows.
CONCLUSION
From the present study it can be concluded that:
Peripartum supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast to high producing Holstein cows was associated with an improvement of ruminal environment suggesting enhanced digestion process.
Supplemented cows had higher serum glucose levels and showed lower BCS losses during the postpartum period suggesting improved DMI and energy status.
Altered milk composition as indicated by higher fat and lower protein percentages was observed in treated cows.
Although treated cows cycled and inseminated earlier, days to conception and CR did not differ between the two groups.
Rumen PH (A), rumen protozoa (B), rumen volatile fatty acids (C) and rumen ammonia (D) levels in Saccharomyces-supplemented and control cows represented as means±S.E.
Overall mean is statistically significant between supplemented (treated) and control cows for rumen ammonia.