The Influence of Cold-Pressed Linseed Cake Supplementation on Fatty-Acid Profile and Fat-Soluble Vitamins of Cows' Milk in an Organic Production System.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of linseed cake supplementation during the winter period as a factor influencing the level of some bioactive components (milk composition, fatty-acid profile, and fat-soluble vitamins) in the milk fat fraction in cows kept on an organic farm. Forty multiparous (second and third lactation) Holstein-Friesian cows were selected that had 81 ± 12 days in milk and produced 15.08 ± 1.20 kg of milk/day. Two groups were created for the experiment: control (CTL; n = 20) and experimental (LC; n = 20). The experiment was divided into two periods: an initial period lasting 7 days in which the experimental group was habituated to the new supplement in their diet; the proper experimental phase, lasting 6 weeks, in which the cows in the experimental group received an individual daily dose of linseed cake (300 g/day/cow). Linseed cake supplementation had a positive impact on the levels of bioactive components (fatty-acid profile and fat-soluble vitamins) in the milk fat fraction. At the end of the trial, the concentration of C18:2 cis9 trans11, C18:1 trans11, α-retinol, α-tocopherol, and total antioxidant status increased 1.59-, 1.94-, 3.12-, 3.38-, and 3.09-fold, respectively, relative to the control levels. The use of linseed cake in winter on organic farms makes it possible to increase the antioxidant potential of milk, thereby eliminating the disparity in the quality of milk from the summer season compared to the winter season.

Comparison of Enzyme Activity in Order to Describe the Metabolic Profile of Dairy Cows during Early Lactation.

Enzymatic diagnostics have practical applications in diseases of the liver, heart, pancreas, muscles, blood, and neoplastic diseases. This study aimed to compare enzyme activity to describe dairy cows' metabolism during early lactation. Based on their general health symptoms, the cows were assigned to one of three groups: acidotic, healthy and ketotic. Samples of milk, blood and rumen fluid were collected at 12 ± 5 days postpartum. Ketotic cows were characterized by the highest malondialdehyde (MDA, 76.098 nM/mL), glutathione reductase (GluRed, 109.852 U/L), superoxide dismutase (SOD, 294.22 U/L) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP, 71.175 U/L) activity. In comparing ketotic and acidotic cows, MDA, GluRed, SOD and GGTP activity were higher by a factor of almost: 1.85, 1.89, 0.79 and 2.50, respectively. Acidotic cows were characterized by the highest aspartate aminotransferase activity (AspAT, 125.914 U/L). In comparing acidotic and ketotic cows, AspAT activity was higher by a factor of almost 1.90. The use of enzymatic markers could limit the frequency of sampling for laboratory analyses and may result in a faster diagnosis of metabolic disorders. AspAT activity in blood serum seems to be a good indicator of acidosis; GGTP may participate in the pathogenesis of ketosis.

Using the Relationship between Concentrations of Selected Whey Proteins and BHBA to Characterize the Metabolism of Dairy Cows in Early Lactation.

A negative energy balance alters the concentration of various fractions of cows' milk. Therefore, by analyzing the concentration of individual proteins in milk, it is possible to indirectly monitor the health of the animal. The aim of the present study was to identify the relationship between the concentrations of blood ß-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and whey proteins in milk as a marker for the diagnosis of metabolic diseases. The analysis included milk and blood samples from 95 Holstein-Friesian cows, which were divided into three groups that were differentiated in terms of serum BHBA levels 5-7 days post-calving: LBHBA, low level of BHBA: 0.200-0.500 mmol/L; NBHBA, optimal level of BHBA- control group: 0.500-1.200 mmol/L; HBHBA, high level of BHBA: >1.200 mmol/L. Concentrations of α-lactoalbumin in the milk after 7 days of lactation proceeded in accordance with the concentration of ß-hydroxybutyric acid, as follows: LBHBA > NBHBA > HBHBA. Concentrations of ß-lactoglobulin in milk after 14 days of lactation proceeded in accordance with the concentration of ß-hydroxybutyric acid, as follows: LBHBA < NBHBA < HBHBA. Therefore, it can be concluded that whey proteins can be used as non-invasive markers for diagnosing metabolic diseases. A high concentration of ß-lactoglobulin can be a marker for diagnosing ketosis. Conversely, elevated levels of α-lactalbumin may indicate the occurrence of a metabolic disorder, such as acidosis.

The Effect of Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. and Enterobacteriaceae on the Development of Whey Protein Levels and Oxidative Stress Markers in Cows with Diagnosed Mastitis.

Mastitis is one of the most common diseases of high-yielding dairy cows, and over 90% of cases are caused by Streptococcus spp., Enterobacteriaceae, or Staphylococcus spp. Certain groups of proteins are very significant in terms of the cow's antioxidant, bacteriostatic, and germicidal properties: lysozyme (Lz), lactoferrin (Lf), and ß-lactoglobulin (BLG). This study aimed to determine the influence of Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Enterobacteriaceae on the secretion of bioactive whey proteins and oxidative stress markers. From the herd, 60 multiparous cows with diagnosed mastitis were selected. Samples were taken individually from each quarter and pooled, which gave 60 samples. Enterobacteriaceae did not affect the BLG synthesis, whereas lysozyme and lactoferrin responded to a high concentration of these bacterial strains. In the case of Staphylococcus spp. infection, the BLG level increased. These strains did not affect the levels of di-malonic aldehyde (MDA), lactoferrin, and lysozyme. In contrast, they were significantly influenced by Streptococcus spp. In summary, the levels of whey proteins and oxidative stress markers changed depending on the bacterial strain inducing inflammation. Lysozyme and lactoferrin may be markers of udder inflammation caused by Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcus spp., whereas ß-lactoglobulin may prove useful in diagnosing Staphylococcus spp. induced mastitis.

Relationship between the Quality of Colostrum and the Formation of Microflora in the Digestive Tract of Calves.

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the quality of colostrum and the formation of intestinal bacterial microflora in calves from birth to day 7. Seventy-five multiparous Polish Holstein-Friesian cows were selected. Colostrum samples were collected individually up to two hours after calving. The analysis was carried out on 75 calves; which were divided into three groups based on the colostrum quality class of the first milking. Faecal samples were collected rectally from each calf on its seventh day of life. Calves were weighed twice; on days 0 and 7 of life. It has been shown that with a higher concentration of colostrum protein fraction, primarily immunoglobulins, the colonisation of anaerobic bacteria occurs faster. Colostrum with a density >1.070 g/cm3 promoted the significant development of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium spp. which at the same time contributed to the reduction of unfavourable microflora, such as Coliforms or Enterococci. Regardless of the initial body weight, daily weight gains were highest for calves fed with colostrum with a density >1.070 g/cm3. The study showed a significant influence of colostrum quality class on the formation of the intestinal microflora and the daily weight gains of calves.

Composition and Factors Affecting Quality of Bovine Colostrum: A Review.

Colostrum as a secretion of the mammary gland is produced and accumulated in the final stage of pregnancy and in the first days after calving. It is designed to provide the calf with the necessary nutrients and biologically active ingredients. One of the most difficult periods in the life of animals is their rearing, and the most sensitive are the first days after birth. This is the time when most falls occur, and they are caused by mortality and morbidity, even at the level of 30%. Such losses affect the performance and profitability of animal production (the percentage of animals intended for reproduction or fattening is reduced and the intensity of selection in the herd is also reduced). Both diseases and mortality are the cause of serious economic, production, and breeding losses, which are the result of weak immune mechanisms. The adaptability of calves to the environment is determined by their immune status. Colostrum has a regulating function and stimulates the young organism to grow, and it has properties that support the functioning of systems: Endocrine and immunological. For colostrum to fulfil its role, it must be administered immediately after birth, because the immunoglobulins it contains are absorbed during the first 16-27 h after the birth of the calf, preferably within 2-4 h of age. Blood from calves that have been properly calved should have an antibody concentration of 15g/L (24-48 h of age). Therefore, immunoglobulins are the most important factor affecting infectious immunity; an adequate concentration of immunoglobulins in calves' blood is related to their survival and health. It is the intent of this review to synthesize and summarize the information currently available on colostrum, as well as to discuss the interpretation of the results.

The relationship between plasma ß-hydroxybutyric acid and conjugated linoleic acid in milk as a biomarker for early diagnosis of ketosis in postpartum Polish Holstein-Friesian cows.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between plasma ß-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and conjugated linoleic acid in postpartum Polish Holstein-Friesian (PHF) cows. The experiment was carried out at an experimental dairy farm, where a herd of approximately 350 cows was kept. Samples were taken at six time points: between days 5-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-28, 29-35, and 36-42, resulting in 510 samples of both milk and blood. The cows involved in the experiment were divided into two groups - ketotic and healthy - by taking into account general health symptoms, blood serum BHBA, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration at 5-7 days postpartum. RESULTS: In the first week of lactation, at 5-7 day in milk (DIM), the study showed a 53% lower level of C18:2 cis-9 trans-11 (CLA9) and an 80% lower level of C18:2 trans-10 cis-12 (CLA10) in cows with diagnosed ketosis compared to healthy cows. In the second week of lactation (8-14 DIM), a 34% lower level of CLA9 and a 54% lower level of CLA10 was found in the group of cows with BHBA levels > 1.2 mmol/L. Additionally, Pearson correlation analysis showed significant negative correlation between BHBA x CLA9 and BHBA x CLA10 in the first week of lactation: - 0.732and - 0.821, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study shows that that both CLA9 and CLA10 can be used as markers for the early diagnosis of elevated blood levels of BHBA in postpartum Polish Holstein-Friesian cows.

Effect of Dairy Cow Crossbreeding on Selected Performance Traits and Quality of Milk in First Generation Crossbreds.

The main goal of crossbreeding Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows with bulls of other dairy or combined breeds is to improve their performance traits. Thus, the aim of this investigation was to compare the dairy performance traits of first generation crossbreds produced by crossbreeding Polish HF cows with bulls of other breeds (Norman, Norwegian Red, Danish Red, Brown Swiss, Montbeliarde, and Simmental). This was done by analyzing the fatty acid profile and technological quality of the milk from these first generation crossbreds. The investigation showed that crossbreeding greatly influenced the performance parameters and technological quality of the milk of the first generation crossbreds obtained from crossbreeding Polish HF cows with bulls of other dairy or combined breeds. The crossbreed cows characterized by the highest both quantity and quality of milk. Also, the best parameters of milk fat dispersion (that is, the highest values of these parameters) that are useful in the production of hard ripening cheeses and butter were found in the milk of crossbreed cows. Health beneficially, saturated fatty acids level in milk of crossbreeds was by 25.96% lower in crossbreds milk when compared to purebred cows. The most beneficial content of whey proteins was found in the milk of Polish HF and Norwegian Red crosses, where it was 19.04% higher than in pure breed Holsteins. F1 cows tend to express better functional traits than Holstein (PHF) cows. Effect of heterosis was larger and gave better results when there was a greater genetic distance between the animals used for crossbreeding. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The effects of heterosis are opposite to the effects of inbreeding depression, and it extends the lifespan and use of animals as well as improves their fertility and health. The main goal of crossbreeding Holstein-Friesian cows with bulls of other dairy or combined breeds is to improve their performance traits. F1 cows tend to express better functional traits than Holstein (PHF) cows. Effect of heterosis was larger and gave better results when there was a greater genetic distance between the animals used for crossbreeding.

Effect of fish oil and linseed supplementation on the protein composition of milk from cows with different ß-lactoglobulin phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of fish oil and linseed (FOL) supplements on the protein fraction levels of milk from cows with different phenotypes of ß-lactoglobulin. RESULTS: After 21 days of supplementation the study showed significantly higher concentrations of whey proteins, especially lysozyme (144% increase) and lactoferrin (45.5% increase), compared with milk from control cows (total mixed ration with no supplemented FOL). A reverse trend was demonstrated for casein, casein index and casein number (lower level). The most favourable change (higher level), in terms of lactoferrin, α-lactalbumin and bovine serum albumin contents in milk, was recorded in cows with the BB variant of ß-lactoglobulin. The highest level of lysozyme was recorded in the milk of cows with the AB variant of ß-lactoglobulin. CONCLUSION: The combined supplementation of fish oil and linseed had a positive impact on whey proteins in cow's milk. In addition, the phenotype of ß-lactoglobulin also played a role in milk protein composition. There is therefore a clear indication that nutritional experiments should take into account not only food supplements but also the genetic variants of ß-lactoglobulin.