Effect of body fatness and glucogenic supplement on lipid and protein mobilization and plasma leptin in dairy cows.

Twenty-four multiparous Ayrshire cows were used in an experiment to test the effect of body fatness and glucogenic supplement, fed during the transition period, on lipid and protein mobilization and plasma hormone concentrations. Eight weeks before their expected calving date, the cows were divided into blocks of 4. Two cows with the highest body condition score within each block were then allocated to a test (T) group and the other 2 cows to a control (C) group. To scale up the differences between fatter and thinner cows, the estimated energy allowance was 40% higher in group T than in group C between d 56 and 21 prepartum. For the final 3 wk before calving, all the cows were fed according to energy recommendations for pregnant cows. Within C and T groups and blocks, cows were randomly assigned into groups with (G1) or without (G0) glucogenic supplement. Division to G0 and G1 groups was made 2 wk before the expected calving and continued for 56 d postpartum. After calving, all the cows received grass silage ad libitum and a common daily concentrate allowance. No significant differences were detected in feed intake and milk yield between C and T. The T groups showed an earlier rise of nonesterified fatty acids as calving approached and had higher plasma nonesterified fatty acids during the final week of pregnancy and lactation wk 1 to 3. At the same time, adipose tissue samples from fatter cows tended to show higher in vitro lipolytic responses to added norepinephrine, as monitored by glycerol release. Protein mobilization was elevated during the final week of pregnancy and tended to be more increased in fatter cows. Glucogenic supplement did not decrease lipid or protein mobilization. Fatter cows had higher plasma leptin concentration prepartum, showed a more pronounced decrease in leptin concentration near calving, and had higher plasma leptin concentration after calving. In conclusion, fatter cows initiated more extensive mobilization of body fat before calving and this continued during the first lactation weeks. Plasma leptin concentration in early-lactation cows was associated with body fatness and not with estimated energy balance.

Effect of concentrate crude protein level on grass silage intake, milk yield and nutrient utilisation by dairy cows in early lactation.

Twenty-one multiparous dairy cows were fed concentrates containing three levels (119, 154 and 191 g/kg DM) of crude protein (CP) during the first ten weeks of lactation. Part of the grain and molassed sugar beat pulp was substituted with 0% (RSM0), 15% (RSM15) or 30% (RSM30) repeseed meal. Wilted grass silage was fed ad libitum after calving. The average response between RSM0 and RSM15 was +1.66 kg milk/d per percentage unit change in concentrate CP content. No further response occurred between RSM15 and RSM30. The positive effect of RSM inclusion was seen throughout the experimental period and was associated with increased plasma non esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and decreased plasma insulin concentration one week after calving, and higher efficiency of metabolisable energy utilisation for milk production. Digestibility of the diet remained unaffected. Milk and plasma urea tended to increase with RSM30 indicating excessive supply of rumen degradable protein. Because of the limited potential of cows to compensate for a deficit in feed protein supply by mobilising tissue protein, a substantial milk yield response can be achieved with a moderate level of protein supplementation during early lactation.

Transport of feed selenium to different tissues of bulls.

The effects of different types of Se supplementation on the selenium concentration of beef, bovine internal organs and some other tissues were studied. The animals (thirty-two bulls) were kept in four dietary groups from birth until to the age of 13-14 months, and fed on rations containing either 0.03 mg Se/kg (basic level in local feeds), 0.25 mg inorganic Se supplemented as sodium selenite, or 0.25 or 0.4 mg/kg plant Se in dry matter from feed produced by spraying with sodium selenite. Samples of four muscles and ten other tissues and organs were taken at slaughter. Se was determined by an electrothermal atomic absorption method. Se supplementation significantly increased the Se concentration of all tissue samples. The maximum response was caused by the diet containing 0.40 mg/kg plant Se. In muscles, this diet raised the Se concentration by a factor of 10-12. In other samples, the increment was 1.5-7.5 fold, depending on the type of tissue. In general, plant Se raised the Se level more effectively than inorganic Se. Se supplementation did not affect the vitamin E status of muscle tissue.