Supplementing flaxseed meal with sucrose, flaxseed oil, or both: Effect on milk enterolactone, ruminal microbiota profile, production performance, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows.

Flaxseed is the richest source of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, which is converted by ruminal microorganisms primarily to the mammalian lignan enterolactone. Our objective was to investigate the effect of diets containing soybean meal or flaxseed meal (FM) supplemented with sucrose, flaxseed oil, or both on milk enterolactone concentration and yield, diversity and relative abundance of ruminal bacterial taxa, ruminal fermentation profile, production performance, milk fatty acid (FA) yield, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows. Sixteen Holstein cows [8 multiparous (4 ruminally-cannulated) and 8 primiparous] averaging (mean ± SD) 134 ± 54.1 DIM and 679 ± 78.9 kg of BW in the beginning of the study were assigned to treatment sequences in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each experimental period lasted 25 d with 18 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for data and sample collection. Diets were formulated to contain a 60:40 forage:concentrate ratio and included (DM basis): 1) 8% soybean meal and 23% ground corn (SBM), 2) 15% FM, 10.7% ground corn, and 5% sucrose (FLX+S), 3) 15% FM, 15.4% ground corn, and 3% flaxseed oil (FLX+O), and 4) 15% FM, 10.2% ground corn, 5% sucrose, and 3% flaxseed oil (FLX+SO). Compared with SBM, the concentration and yield of milk enterolactone increased in cows fed the FM diets, but did not differ among FLX+S, FLX+O, and FLX+SO. The relative abundances of the phyla Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobiota, and Actinobacteriota and those of the bacterial genera Lachnospiraceae NK3A20 group, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, Anaeromusa-Anaeroarcus, WCHB1-41, and p-251-o5 decreased, whereas Prevotella and NK4A214 group increased when comparing SBM against at least 1 diet containing FM. Furthermore, the relative abundances of Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota and those of Prevotella, Lachnospiraceae NK3A20 group, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, Acetitomaculum, Lachnospiraceae unclassified, NK4A214 group, and Anaeromusa-Anaeroarcus changed (increased or decreased) across the FLX+S, FLX+O, and FLX+SO diets. However, all these changes in the relative abundance of the ruminal bacterial taxa were not conclusively associated with the effect of diets on milk enterolactone. Diets did not affect ruminal pH and concentrations of NH3-N and total VFA. Dry matter intake and yields of milk, milk fat, and milk true protein all decreased in cows fed FLX+O or FLX+SO. Yields of milk total odd-chain FA, branched-chain FA, total < 16C FA, and total 16C FA all decreased with feeding FLX+O and FLX+SO. The apparent total-tract digestibilities of DM and OM were lowest in the FLX+S and FLX+O diets, with CP and ADF digestibilities lowest in cows receiving FLX+S or FLX+O, respectively. Urinary excretion of total N was lowest with feeding SBM. Contrarily, diets did not affect the urinary excretion of total purine derivatives. In brief, despite the effect of diets on the relative abundance of several ruminal microbiota phyla and genera, we were unable to conclusively associate these changes with increased milk enterolactone in FM-containing diets versus SBM.

Replacing soybean meal with okara meal: Effects on production, milk fatty acid and plasma amino acid profile, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows.

Okara meal is a byproduct from the production of soymilk and tofu and can potentially replace soybean meal (SBM) in dairy diets due to its high crude protein (CP) concentration and residual fat. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of replacing SBM with okara meal on feed intake, yields of milk and milk components, milk fatty acid (FA) profile, nutrient utilization, and plasma AA concentration in lactating dairy cows. Twelve multiparous (65 ± 33 d in milk) and 8 primiparous (100 ± 35 d in milk) organically certified Jersey cows were paired by parity or days in milk, and within pair, randomly assigned to treatments in a crossover design with 21-d periods (14 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for data and sample collection). Diets were fed as total mixed ration formulated to be isonitrogenous and isofibrous and contained (dry matter basis) 50% mixed, mostly grass baleage, 2% sugarcane liquid molasses, 2% minerals-vitamins premix, and either (1) 8.1% SBM, 10% soyhulls, and 27.9% ground corn (CTRL); or (2) 15% okara meal, 8% soyhulls, and 23% ground corn (OKR). Dietary CP, ash-free neutral detergent fiber, and total FA averaged 15.4, 35.3, and 3.08% for CTRL and 15.9%, 36.3%, and 3.74% for OKR, respectively. Substitution of SBM with okara meal did not alter dry matter intake but increased intakes of CP and ash-free neutral detergent fiber. Additionally, no significant differences between treatments were observed for yields of milk and milk components, and concentrations of milk fat, lactose, and total solids. However, milk true protein concentration was lower in cows fed OKR (3.76%) versus CTRL (3.81%). Both milk urea N (8.51 vs. 9.47 mg/dL) and plasma urea N (16.9 vs. 17.8 mg/dL) concentrations decreased with OKR relative to the CTRL diet, respectively. Compared with CTRL, feeding OKR lowered the milk proportions of total odd-chain FA, de novo FA, and mixed FA and increased those of preformed FA, total n-6 FA, and total n-3 FA. The milk proportions of trans-10 18:1, trans-11 18:1, and cis-9,trans-11 18:2 were greater with feeding OKR versus the CTRL diet. The apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients, urinary excretion of total purine derivatives (uric acid plus allantoin), and total N were not affected by treatments. Except for plasma Leu, which was lower in OKR compared with the CTRL diet, no other significant changes in the plasma concentrations of AA were observed. The plasma concentration of carnosine was lowest in cows receiving the OKR diet. Overall, our results revealed that okara meal can completely replace SBM without negatively affecting production and nutrient digestibility in early- to mid-lactation Jersey cows. Further research is needed to assess the economic feasibility of including okara meal in dairy diets, as well as the amount of okara meal that maximizes yields of milk and milk components in dairy cows in different stages of lactation.

Production and nitrogen metabolism in lactating dairy cows fed finely ground field pea plus soybean meal or canola meal with or without rumen-protected methionine supplementation.

We showed previously that dairy cows fed [diet dry matter (DM) basis] 25% finely ground field pea (GFP) plus rumen-protected (RP)-Met and RP-Lys had greater milk true protein yield and plasma Met concentration, but lower plasma His, compared with those fed GFP without rumen-protected AA supplementation. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of diets containing soybean meal (SBM) or canola meal (CM) with or without a source of RP-Met on production, nutrient digestibility, and N metabolism in cows fed 25% GFP. Sixteen mid-lactation Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (21-d periods). Cows were fed (DM basis) 35% corn silage, 14% grass-legume haylage, 25% GFP, and 11% SBM or 13.5% CM with or without 0.095% RP-Met supplementation as Smartamine M (Adisseo USA Inc., Alpharetta, GA). Protein source effects were observed for most production variables; cows fed diets containing CM plus GFP had greater DM intake, yields of milk and milk fat and true protein, and milk N efficiency than those offered SBM plus GFP. Feeding CM plus GFP also reduced the concentrations of milk urea N and plasma urea N, and the urinary excretion of NH3 N and urea N, suggesting improved N use efficiency. Moreover, replacing SBM with CM increased the concentrations of all essential AA (except Arg) in plasma collected from the coccygeal blood vessels. A protein source × RP-Met interaction was observed for the concentration of His in coccygeal plasma, with circulating His decreasing only when RP-Met was supplemented to the diet containing SBM plus GFP. Based on the arteriovenous difference method, Lys was the first limiting AA overall, with Met being the first limiting AA in diets that did not receive RP-Met. Apparent total-tract digestibilities of DM, organic matter, N, and acid detergent fiber increased with feeding SBM plus GFP versus CM plus GFP. Most variables were not affected by RP-Met supplementation, except plasma Met concentration, which increased by 63%. Collectively, our results indicate that CM appears to be a better companion rumen-degradable protein source to GFP than SBM, due to improved yields of milk and milk protein and N use efficiency.

Replacing ground corn with incremental amounts of liquid molasses does not change milk enterolactone but decreases production in dairy cows fed flaxseed meal.

We investigated the effects of replacing ground corn (GRC) with incremental amounts of liquid molasses (LM) on milk enterolactone concentration, antioxidant enzymes activity in plasma, production, milk fatty acid (FA) profile, and nutrient utilization in Jersey cows fed flaxseed meal and low-starch diets. Sixteen multiparous organically certified Jersey cows averaging (mean ± standard deviation) 101 ± 45 d in milk, 462 ± 38 kg of body weight, and 19.8 ± 3.90 kg/d of milk in the beginning of the study were randomly assigned to treatment sequences in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, with 14 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for data and sample collection. Diets were fed as total mixed rations consisting (dry matter basis) of 52% grass-legume baleage, 8% grass hay, 8.5% soyhulls, 2.5% roasted soybean, 15% flaxseed meal, and 2% minerals-vitamins premix. The GRC-to-LM dietary ratios (dry matter basis) were 12:0, 8:4, 4:8, and 0:12. Orthogonal polynomials were used to test linear, quadratic, and cubic effects using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). The milk concentration of enterolactone tended to respond cubically, thus suggesting that replacing GRC with LM did not affect this lignan in milk. The plasma activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and catalase did not differ, but superoxide dismutase activity tended to respond cubically with feeding increasing amounts of LM. Dry matter intake and yields of milk and milk fat, true protein, and lactose decreased linearly with substituting GRC for LM. Whereas the concentrations of milk fat and milk true protein did not differ across treatments, milk lactose content decreased linearly. Feeding incremental levels of LM reduced linearly the milk concentration of urea N and the amount of N excreted in urine, and tended to decrease linearly the concentration of plasma urea N. Apparent total-tract digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral and acid detergent fiber did not differ across treatments, whereas digestibility of crude protein decreased linearly. Digestibility of starch responded linearly and quadratically, but the actual differences between treatments were too small to be biologically significant. Milk FA profile was substantially changed most notably by linear increases in cis-9,trans-11 18:2, cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 18:3, Σ odd-chain FA, and the trans-11-to-trans-10 ratio, and linear decreases in cis-9 18:1 and cis-9,cis-12 18:2 when replacing GRC by incremental amounts of LM.

Production, milk and plasma fatty acid profile, and nutrient utilization in Jersey cows fed flaxseed oil and corn grain with different particle size.

We aimed to compare the effects of ground (GC) or cracked corn (CC), with or without flaxseed oil (FSO), on milk yield, milk and plasma fatty acid (FA) profile, and nutrient digestibility in Jersey cows fed diets formulated to contain similar starch concentrations. Twelve multiparous organic-certified Jersey cows averaging (mean ± standard deviation) 455 ± 41.9 kg of body weight and 152 ± 34 d in milk and 4 primiparous organic-certified Jersey cows averaging (mean ± standard deviation) 356 ± 2.41 kg of body weight and 174 ± 30 d in milk in the beginning of the experiment were used. Cows were randomly assigned to treatment sequences in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Each period lasted 24 d with 18 d for diet adaptation and 6 d for data and sample collection. Treatments were fed as total mixed rations consisting of (dry matter basis): (1) 0% FSO + 27.1% GC, (2) 0% FSO + 28.3% CC, (3) 3% FSO + 27.1% GC, and (4) 3% FSO + 28.3% CC. All cows were offered 55% of the total diet dry matter as mixed grass-legume baleage and treatments averaged 20% starch. Significant FSO × corn grain particle size interactions were observed for some variables including milk concentration of lactose and proportions of cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 18:3 in milk and plasma. The proportion of cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 18:3 in milk and plasma decreased slightly when comparing GC versus CC in 0% FSO cows, but a larger reduction was observed in 3% FSO cows. Dry matter intake did not differ and averaged 16.1 kg/d across diets. Feeding 3% FSO increased yields of milk and milk fat and lactose and feed and milk N efficiencies, but decreased fat, true protein, and MUN concentrations and apparent total-tract digestibility of fiber. The Σ branched-chain, Σ<16C, Σ16C, and Σn-6 FA decreased, whereas Σ18C, Σcis-18:1, and Σtrans-18:1 FA increased in 3% versus 0% FSO cows. No effect of corn particle size was observed for production and milk components. However, the apparent total-tract digestibility of starch was greater in GC than CC cows. Compared with CC, GC increased Σ branched-chain, Σ<16C, Σ16C, Σn-6 FA, and decreased Σ18C and Σ cis-18:1 FA in milk fat. Overall, results of this study are more directly applicable to dairy cows fed low starch, mixed grass-legume baleage-based diets.

Short communication: The mammalian lignan enterolactone is absorbed by newborn dairy calves fed enterolactone-enriched milk.

Flaxseed is the richest source of the plant lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, which is converted to the mammalian lignans enterolactone (EL) and enterodiol by the gut microbiota of ruminants and humans. Enterolactone has been associated with improved animal and human health due to its antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of EL in newborn dairy calves fed milk replacer or EL-enriched milk. We hypothesized that newborn Holstein calves fed EL-enriched milk would have greater area under the curve and plasma concentration of EL compared with those fed milk replacer. On d 5 of life, calves were administered 2 L of milk replacer (n = 10; low-EL treatment: 123 nmol/L of EL) or 2 L of EL-enriched milk (n = 10; high-EL treatment: 481 nmol/L of EL) during the morning feeding (0700 h). Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein before (0 h) and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, and 48 h after oral administration of treatments. The area under the curve for the plasma concentration of EL was analyzed according to the trapezoidal rule between 0 and 12 h after treatment administration, and it was greater in high- (26 nmol/L × h) than low-EL calves (4.30 nmol/L × h). Similarly, the maximum concentration of EL in plasma was greater in high- (5.06 nmol/L) versus low-EL calves (1.95 nmol/L). Furthermore, the time after treatment intake to reach maximum plasma concentration of EL was faster in high- (4.31 h) compared with low-EL (4.44 h) treatment. Calves were able to absorb EL, indicating that EL-enriched milk can potentially be used as source of EL to pre-weaned ruminants.

Short communication: Prediction of intake in dairy cows under tropical conditions.

A meta-analysis was conducted to develop a model for predicting dry matter intake (DMI) in dairy cows under the tropical conditions of Brazil and to assess its adequacy compared with 5 currently available DMI prediction models: Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC); National Research Council (NRC); Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS; version 6); and 2 other Brazilian models. The data set was created using 457 observations (n=1,655 cows) from 100 studies, and it was randomly divided into 2 subsets for statistical analysis. The first subset was used to develop a DMI prediction equation (60 studies; 309 treatment means) and the second subset was used to assess the adequacy of DMI predictive models (40 studies; 148 treatment means). The DMI prediction model proposed in the current study was developed using a nonlinear mixed model analysis after reparameterizing the NRC equation but including study as a random effect in the model. Body weight (mean = 540 ± 57.6 kg), 4% fat-corrected milk (mean = 21.3 ± 7.7 kg/d), and days in milk (mean = 110 ± 62 d) were used as independent variables in the model. The adequacy of the DMI prediction models was evaluated based on coefficient of determination, mean square prediction error (MSPE), root MSPE (RMSPE), and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). The observed DMI obtained from the data set used to evaluate the prediction models averaged 17.6 ± 3.2 kg/d. The following model was proposed: DMI (kg/d) = [0.4762 (± 0.0358) × 4% fat-corrected milk + 0.07219 (± 0.00605) × body weight(0.75)] × (1 - e(-0.03202 (± 0.00615) × [days in milk + 24.9576 (± 5.909)])). This model explained 93.0% of the variation in DMI, predicting it with the lowest mean bias (0.11 kg/d) and RMSPE (4.9% of the observed DMI) and the highest precision [correlation coefficient estimate (ρ) = 0.97] and accuracy [bias correction factor (Cb)=0.99]. The NRC model prediction equation explained 92.0% of the variation in DMI and had the second lowest mean bias (0.42 kg/d) and RMSPE (5.8% of the observed DMI), as well as the second highest precision (ρ = 0.94) and accuracy (Cb = 0.98). The CNCPS and AFRC DMI prediction models explained 93.0 and 85.0% of the variation in DMI but underpredicted DMI by 1.8 and 1.4 kg/d, respectively. These 2 models (CNCPS and AFRC) resulted, respectively, in RMSPE of 11.3 and 10.7% of the observed DMI, with moderate to high precision (ρ = 0.81 and 0.82) and accuracy (Cb = 0.84 and 0.89). The remaining 2 models resulted in the poorest results, underpredicting DMI by 2.3 and 1.9 kg/d, with RMSPE of 22.8 and 14.9% of the observed DMI and moderate to low precision (ρ = 0.49 and 0.76) and accuracy (Cb = 0.81 and 0.86). The new model derived from the current meta-analytical approach provided the best accuracy and precision for predicting DMI in lactating dairy cows under Brazilian conditions.

Early discharge after appendicectomy in children.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm that "day-care" appendicectomy is safe in children. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTINGS: Paediatric hospitals, Brazil. SUBJECTS: 144 children who required removal of the appendix. INTERVENTIONS: Standard muscle splitting appendicectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hospital stay, use of antibiotics, and complications. RESULTS: 124 patients (86%) were discharged within 24 hours of operation. In all patients the appendicitis was confirmed and grouped according to histopathological findings (72 inflamed, 26 gangrenous and 26 perforated). 86 patients (60%) were given metronidazole one hour before operation as prophylaxis against postoperative abscess formation. 78 (54%) were given no antibiotics in the postoperative period. 2 patients were readmitted for drainage of intraperitoneal abscesses and 10 had subcutaneous abscesses drained as outpatients during the early postoperative period. The overall infective complication rate was 8% (n = 12), which is comparable with large series of appendicectomy in children. CONCLUSIONS: "Day-care" appendicectomy is safe and feasible in children, as it avoids a long hospital stay and increased costs with no additional risk.

Prognosis of schistosomiasis mansoni patients infected with hepatitis B virus.

A clinical study on the evolution of patients with schistosomiasis mansoni has been conducted since 1983 at the outpatient clinic of the Infectious and Parasitic Disease Service in the Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, comparing prevalence of positive tests for HBsAg, anti-HBsAg, and anti-HBc among patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni coming from various regions of Brazil and with different clinical forms of the disease. A non-significant predominance of HBsAg, anti-HBsAg, and anti-HBc was detected among patients with the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis, who presented a more severe clinical evolution with a higher frequency of hematemesis and/or melena, in addition to the development of macronodular cirrhosis and a worse prognosis as compared to patients with the toxemic form, schistosomiasis-infection and the hepatointestinal form.

Criptorquidia: ventajas de la cirugia temprana. / Cryptorchism: advantages of early surgery

Este trabajo informa la exeperiencia en el manejo de la criptorquidia con orquidopexia en ninos muy variadas edades.Se consideran especialmente las dificultades quirurgicas en relacion a la edad en que son intervenidos los pacientes y se senalan algunas de las complicaciones frequentes postoperatorias, sobre todo, las referentes a la involucion testicular.Se hace enfasis en la cirugia temprana, sobre todo por riesgo de atrofia testicular pero tambien por las difucultades tecnicas inherentes y mucho mayores conforme avanza la edad