Effects of dry period length on milk production and energy balance in two cow breeds

Shortening the dry period (DP) has been proposed as a strategy to improve energy balance (EB) in cows in early lactation. This study evaluated the effects of shortening the DP on milk yield (MY), EB and residual feed intake (RFI) in two breeds; Swedish Red (SR) and Swedish Holstein (SH). Cows were blocked by breed and parity and then randomly assigned to one of two treatments; short DP of 4 weeks (4W, n=43) or conventional DP of 8 weeks (8W, n=34). Cows were kept and fed under the same conditions, except for the 4 weeks when the 4W group were still lactating prepartum and thus kept with the lactating cows. Milk yield and BW were recorded and body condition score (BCS) was rated from 10 weeks prepartum to 12 weeks postpartum. Dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded for lactating cows postpartum. Milk yield was reduced by 6.75 kg/day during the first 12 weeks postpartum (P<0.001) for the 4W cows compared with 8W cows, but there was no significant difference in total MY (3724 kg compared with 3684 kg, P=0.7) when the milk produced prepartum was included. Protein content was higher in 4W cows (3.42%) than in 8W cows (3.27%) (P<0.001) postpartum. In the 8W group, cows lost more BCS after calving (P<0.05). Cows of SR breed had higher BCS than cows of SH breed (SR=3.7, SH=3.2, P<0.001), but no differences in BW were found between breed and treatment. Energy balance was improved for cows in the 4W group (P<0.001), while feed efficiency, expressed as RFI, was reduced for 4W cows than for 8W cows (5.91 compared with −5.39, P<0.01). Shortening the DP resulted in improved EB postpartum with no difference between the breeds and no milk losses when including the milk produced prepartum.     

Genetic association between body energy measured throughout lactation and fertility in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to quantify the genetic association of body energy assessed throughout lactation with a cow's fertility. Nine direct and indirect body energy traits were defined at different stages of lactation. Four were daily records of energy balance, energy content, cumulative effective energy (CEE) and body condition score (BCS) calculated between lactation days 4 and 311. The other five traits included duration of negative energy balance (DNEB), rate of recovery during DNEB (RNEB), sum of negative energy balance (SNEB), nadir of energy content (NEC) and number of days from calving to NEC. Of these traits, energy balance, DNEB, RNEB and SNEB were primarily based on individual cow feed intake and milk yield, and considered direct measures of body energy. The other traits were calculated from body lipid and protein changes, predicted from BCS and live weight profiles, and were considered indirect measures of body energy. Fertility was defined by number of days between calving and commencement of luteal activity (DLA), first observed oestrus (DH) and conception (DC), and number of services per conception. A total of 957 cows in their first four lactations were considered in the study. Genetic models fitted cubic splines to define longitudinal traits (energy balance, energy content, CEE and BCS) and calculate heritability and genetic correlation with fertility. Daily heritability estimate ranges were 0.10 to 0.34, 0.35 to 0.61, 0.32 to 0.53 and 0.24 to 0.56 for energy balance, energy content, CEE and BCS, respectively, and, in most cases, tended to increase towards the middle of lactation and remain relatively stable thereafter. Of the other body energy traits, heritability of NEC (0.44) was the most notable. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) genetic correlations of DH with daily energy balance, energy content, CEE and BCS ranged from -0.16 to -0.28, -0.35 to -0.48, -0.16 to -0.26 and -0.37 to -0.44, respectively. For DC, respective estimates were -0.28 to -0.64, -0.37 to -0.60, -0.30 to -0.48 and -0.29 to -0.53. For DLA, they ranged from -0.47 to -0.56 with energy content and from -0.50 to -0.74 with BCS. Of special interest was the genetic correlation of NEC with DH (-0.54) and DC (-0.48). Results suggest that indirect measures of body energy have the strongest genetic association with cow fertility. NEC and early lactation (circa day 50) BCS and energy content are the most useful traits for selection in terms of the correlated improvement in a cow's capacity to resume her reproductive activity post partum.     

Effects of forage NDF content and body condition score on forage intake by Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in the dry period

This study used individual weekly results for 160 non-lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in the last 5 weeks of gestation to develop regression equations based on forage NDF content and individual body condition score (BCS) for predicting dry matter (DM) intake. Results were used from treatments in which cows received the same forage and no concentrates throughout the dry period. Ten different conserved forages, either grass silages or mixtures of grass silage and barley straw, were fed in six different experiments and forage NDF ranged from 452 to 689 g/kg DM. On average cows gained 390 g live weight per day, which is less than conceptus growth at this stage - suggesting some mobilisation of maternal tissues to support conceptus growth. BCS remained unchanged at 2.5 over the dry period. DM intake declined from 10.79 kg/day 5 weeks before calving to 9.32 kg/day in the week before calving, with half of this decline occurring in the final week before calving. Intake as a percentage of live weight was moderately predicted (R2 = 0.61 for the entire period) from measures of diet composition (NDF) and cow state (BCS). There were highly significant negative effects of forage NDF and increased BCS on DM intake. The effect of BCS on DM intake was greatly reduced in the week before calving, possibly as a result of a change in metabolic priorities from gaining to losing body reserves.     

Oxidative stress index (OSi) as a new tool to assess redox status in dairy cattle during the transition period

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a key role in the initiation or progression of numerous diseases, and dairy cows undergo OS at the transition period. However, discrepancies between methodologies make it difficult to make comparisons between studies, and therefore research on this topic may not be implemented in farms. This study aims to test under field conditions the use of an oxidative stress index (OSi) as a combined measurement through a ratio between pro-oxidants and antioxidants throughout the transition period in dairy farms. Serum samples of high-yielding dairy cows were taken, and markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant capacity were measured in four different production stages: (i) late lactation (LL; −2 to −1 months); (ii) prepartum (PrP; −1 month until parturition); (iii) postpartum (PsP; delivery to +1 month); and (iv) peak of lactation (PkL; +1 to +2.5 months). Values were compared between production stages and against a metabolic baseline status (CTR, 4th to 5th month of gestation). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature that discusses the values of these oxidative stress biomarkers (and the OS index) for cows with low metabolic demands, as to date most research in this area has focused on the transition period. With the joint evaluation through the OSi, differences were found that were not present with the separate evaluation of pro-oxidants or antioxidants, thus supporting our hypothesis that the OSi indicates more accurately the oxidative status of the animals. It was also confirmed that dairy cows undergo OS after parturition, and that antioxidant supplementation from 1 month before parturition until the peak of lactation may be needed to reduce the risk of OS.     

奶牛产奶性状与乳房炎相关基因CpG含量及分布特征的比较分析

DNA甲基化是表观遗传学的重要组成部分,基因启动子区及第一外显子区的CpG甲基化通常抑制该基因的表达,而去甲基化则促进基因表达。已有的研究发现荷斯坦牛的乳房炎指标SCC(Somatic cell count)与产奶量呈较强负相关。文章分析并比较了这两类性状的相关基因的启动子区、第一外显子、下游2 000 bp序列中CpG含量及分布特征。结果表明,乳房炎相关基因的启动子、第一外显子中CpG含量显著低于产奶性状相关基因,而两类性状基因下游2 000 bp序列中CpG含量无显著性差异。另外,文中提出了两个量化基因序列中CpG特征的指标,一个是CpG平均距离,用来衡量序列中的CpG分布;另一个是条件概率p(G|C),用以量化序列中二核苷酸CpG随碱基C出现的可能性,并对两类基因的启动子和第一外显子区域的这两个指标做了统计检验。研究结果对产奶性状与乳房炎相关基因的DNA甲基化调控研究奠定了基础。     

Genome-wide associations for investigating time-dependent genetic effects for milk production traits in dairy cattle

Phenotypic variation in milk production traits has been described over the course of a lactation as well as between different parities. The objective of this study was to investigate whether variation in production is affected by different loci across lactations. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) using a 50-k SNP chip was conducted in 152 divergent German Holstein Friesian cows to test for association with milk production traits over different lactations. The first four lactations were analysed regarding milk yield, fat, protein, lactose, milk urea nitrogen yield and content as well as somatic cell score. Two approaches were used: (i) Wilmink curve parameters were used to assess the genetic effects over the course of a lactation and (ii) test-day yield deviations (YD) were used as a normative approach for a GWAS. The significant effects were largest for markers affecting curve parameters for which there was a statistical power <0.8 of detection even in this small design. While significant markers for YDs were detected in this study, the power to detect effects of a similar magnitude was only 0.11, suggesting that many loci may have been missed with this approach in the present design. Furthermore, all significant effects were specific for a single lactation, leading to the conclusion that the variance explained by a certain locus changes from lactation to lactation. We confirm the common evidence that most production traits vary in the degree of persistency after the peak as a result of genetic influence.     

Risk factors for new intramammary infections during the dry period in untreated dairy cows from herds using selective dry cow therapy

This study aimed at investigating risk factors for new intramammary infections (IMI) during the dry period in untreated cows from herds using selective dry cow antibiotic therapy (DCT). A total of 980 uninfected quarters in 347 untreated cows from 28 herds using selective DCT were included in a prospective survey. A herd-level questionnaire and an individual cow-level recording sheet were implemented to collect data on putative risk factors. Quarter milk samples were taken at drying-off and on day 3 after calving to assess the occurrence of new IMI during the dry period. A multivariate model including a herd effect as random and a cow effect as repeated was run at the quarter level. Interactions between risk factors and the cow infection status at drying-off (cow infected in at least one quarter v. uninfected) were checked. Three risk factors were found significantly associated with the risk for new IMI without interaction (P < 0.05): cows infected in at least one quarter at drying-off (v. uninfected cows) (relative risks (RR) = 1.58); long preceding lactation (>355 days v. shorter length) (RR = 1.62); long dry period (>65 days v. shorter length) (RR = 1.46). One risk factor acted only in interaction with the cow infection status at drying-off: in cows uninfected at drying-off, the risk for new IMI was significantly higher in cows with short teats (RR = 1.21) when compared with cows with long or normal teats, while the reverse relationship was observed in cows infected at drying-off. Risk factors can be translated in recommendations, for instance to have dry periods not longer than 2 months. Moreover, as suggested by our results, the efficacy of selective DCT towards the prevention of new IMI would be improved if all infected cows were detected and treated. Criteria to accurately identify these infected cows should be therefore further investigated.     

First ovulation and ketone body status in the early postpartum period of dairy cows

The effect of ketone body status on occurrence of first ovulation during early lactation was assessed in 84 multiparous dairy cows under field conditions. Animals were equally distributed across 8 farms and were controlled by the same herd fertility monitoring program. Cows were visited twice antepartum and 6 times postpartum at weekly intervals between 5:30 and 8:30 AM. On these occasions, body condition scores and milk yields were measured, blood and milk samples were taken, cows were gynecologically examined, and parameters of reproduction were determined. The onset of first ovulation was specified by milk progesterone determination and rectal palpation. Cows starting postpartum ovarian cyclicity within or after 30 d were classified as early and late responders (ER and LR, respectively). Resumption of the estrous cycle within 30 d postpartum is considered optimal under practical conditions, and classification based on this threshold value resulted in groups of equal size and equal distribution of ER + LR cows within farms. Ketone bodies measured were beta-hydroxybutyrate in serum and acetoacetate and acetone in serum and milk. Blood serum and milk ketone body concentrations during the first 6 wk of lactation were higher in LR than in ER, whereas plasma glucose and nonesterified fatty acid and milk fat, protein and urea concentrations did not differ between groups. Maximal concentrations of ketone bodies from parturition to first ovulation were better predictors of the onset of the estrous cycle than mean or minimal concentrations over the same period. Milk acetone and serum beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations provided the most reliable information with regard to resumption of ovarian activity of all ketone bodies.     

A teleonomic model describing performance (body, milk and intake) during growth and over repeated reproductive cycles throughout the lifespan of dairy cattle. 2. Voluntary intake and energy partitioning

This is the second of two papers describing a teleonomic model of individual performance during growth and over repeated reproductive cycles throughout the lifespan of dairy cattle. The model described in the first paper is based on the coupling of a regulating sub-model of the dynamic partitioning of a female mammal's priority over a lifetime with an operating sub-model of whole-animal performance. The model provides a reference pattern of performance under normal husbandry and feed regimen, which is expressed in this paper in a reference dynamic pattern of energy partitioning adapted to changes in nutrient supply. This paper deals with the representation of deviations from the reference pattern of performance. First, a model of intake regulation, accounting for feed allowance, physical limitation of the digestive tract and energy demand, is used to determine the actual intake, which may generate a deviation from the energy input under the reference pattern of partitioning. Second, a theoretical model is proposed to apportion the energy deviation between flows involved in performance and thus simulate lifetime performance when actual intake is above or below requirements. The model explicitly involves a homeorhetic drive by way of the tendency to home on to the teleonomic trajectory and a homeostatic control by way of the tendency to maintain an energy equilibrium in response to nutritional constraints. The model was evaluated through simulations reproducing typical feeding trials in dairy cows. Model simulations shown in graphs concern the effect of dietary energy content on intake, body weight and condition score, and milk yield. Results highlight the ability of the model to simulate the combination of physical and energetic regulation of intake, the accelerated, retarded and compensatory patterns of growth and the short- and long-term residual effects of pre-partum feeding on lactation.     

Relationship between heat stress during the peri-implantation period and early fetal loss in dairy cattle

The aim of the present study was to establish whether temperature-humidity index values, as a measure of heat comfort, from Days 1 to 40 of gestation could be associated with the pregnancy loss rate in high producing dairy cows. Data from 1391 pregnancies were recorded. Pregnancy was diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography between Days 34 and 45, and again 90 days after insemination. Pregnancy loss was assumed when the second pregnancy diagnosis on Day 90 proved negative and was registered in 7.8% (108/1391) of pregnancies. Mean and maximum temperature-humidity index values were established for each cow for Days 0 (day of insemination), 1, 2 and 3 after insemination, and averages established for Days 0-3, 0-10, 11-20, 21-30 and 31-40 after insemination. Cow and management variables previously found to be significantly correlated with the early fetal loss in the same geographical area were also recorded. The relative contribution of each factor to the probability of pregnancy loss was determined using logistic regression models. Based on the odds ratio, a strong association with pregnancy loss of the factors warm period of pregnancy (warm period-May to September versus cool-October to April), twin pregnancy (as negative factors: odds ratios 3.1 and 3.4, respectively) and an additional corpus luteum (as a positive factor: odds ratio 0.32) was confirmed. The likelihood of pregnancy loss increased by a factor of 1.05 for each additional unit of the mean maximum temperature-humidity index from Days 21 to 30 of gestation. Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant effects of temperature-humidity index values for the remaining gestation periods. Our results indicate that heat stress can compromise the success of gestation during the peri-implantation period, such that high temperature-humidity index values for the period 21-30 days of gestation are a risk factor for subsequent early fetal loss.     

A comparative study of the metabolic profile,insulin sensitivity and inflammatory response between organically and conventionally managed dairy cattle during the periparturient period

The number of organically managed cattle (OMC) within the European Union has increased tremendously in the last decade. However, there are still some concerns about animals under this farming system meeting their dietary requirements for milk production. The aim of this study was to compare the metabolic adaptations to the onset of lactation in three different herds, one conventional and two organic ones. Twenty-two conventionally managed cattle (CMC) and 20 from each organic farm were sampled throughout the periparturient period. These samplings were grouped into four different stages: (i) far-off dry, (ii) close-up dry, (iii) fresh and (iv) peak of lactation and compared among them. In addition, the results of periparturient animals were also compared within each management type with a control group (animals between the 4th and 5th months of pregnancy). Metabolic profiles were used to assess the health status of the herds, along with the quantification of the acute phase proteins haptoglobin and serum amyloid A, insulin and the calculation of different surrogate indices of insulin sensitivity. Generalised linear mixed models with repeated measurements were used to study the effect of the stage, management type or their interaction on the serum variables studied. The prevalence of subclinical ketosis was higher in OMC, although they showed better insulin sensitivity, a lower degree of inflammation and less liver injury, without a higher risk of macromineral deficiencies. Therefore, attention should be paid on organic farms to the nutritional management of cows around the time of calving in order to prevent the harmful consequences of excessive negative energy balance. Moreover, it must be taken into account that most of the common practices used to treat this condition in CMC are not allowed on a systematic basis in OMC.     

Relationships between milk mid-IR predicted gastro-enteric methane production and the technical and financial performance of commercial dairy herds

Considering economic and environmental issues is important in ensuring the sustainability of dairy farms. The objective of this study was to investigate univariate relationships between lactating dairy cow gastro-enteric methane (CH₄) production predicted from milk mid-IR (MIR) spectra and technico-economic variables by the use of large scale and on-farm data. A total of 525 697 individual CH₄ predictions from milk MIR spectra (MIR-CH₄ (g/day)) of milk samples collected on 206 farms during the Walloon milk recording scheme were used to create a MIR-CH₄ prediction for each herd and year (HYMIR-CH₄). These predictions were merged with dairy herd accounting data. This allowed a simultaneous study of HYMIR-CH₄ and 42 technical and economic variables for 1024 herd and year records from 2007 to 2014. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were used to assess significant relationships (P<0.05). Low HYMIR-CH₄ was significantly associated with, amongst others, lower fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) yield (r=0.18), lower milk fat and protein content (r=0.38 and 0.33, respectively), lower quantity of milk produced from forages (r=0.12) and suboptimal reproduction and health performance (e.g. longer calving interval (r=−0.21) and higher culling rate (r=−0.15)). Concerning economic results, low HYMIR-CH₄ was significantly associated with lower gross margin per cow (r=0.19) and per litre FPCM (r=0.09). To conclude, this study suggested that low lactating dairy cow gastro-enteric CH₄ production tended to be associated with more extensive or suboptimal management practices, which could lead to lower profitability. The observed low correlations suggest complex interactions between variables due to the use of on-farm data with large variability in technical and management practices.     

Evaluation of dairy cattle manure as a supplement to improve net energy gain in fermentative hydrogen production from sucrose

This study evaluated fermentative biohydrogen production from sucrose supplemented with dairy cattle manure at different sucrose:manure ratios. Hydrogen yields found in this study (2.9-5.3 M hydrogen/M sucrose) at ambient temperature are higher than literature results obtained at mesophilic temperatures. This study demonstrated that dairy cattle manure could serve as a buffering agent to maintain recommended pH levels; as a nutrient source to provide the required nutrients for hydrogen production; as a seed to produce hydrogen from sucrose; and as a co-substrate to improve the hydrogen yield. Based on an analysis of the net energy gain, it is concluded that positive net energy gains can be realized with non-thermal pretreatment and/or by combining dark fermentation with anaerobic digestion or microbial fuel cells to extract additional energy from the aqueous products of dark fermentation.     

Genetic relationship of discrete-time survival with fertility and production in dairy cattle using bivariate models

Bivariate analyses of functional longevity in dairy cattle measured as survival to next lactation (SURV) with milk yield and fertility traits were carried out. A sequential threshold-linear censored model was implemented for the analyses of SURV. Records on 96 642 lactations from 41 170 cows were used to estimate genetic parameters, using animal models, for longevity, 305 d-standardized milk production (MY305), days open (DO) and number of inseminations to conception (INS) in the Spanish Holstein population; 31% and 30% of lactations were censored for DO and INS, respectively. Heritability estimates for SURV and MY305 were 0.11 and 0.27 respectively; while heritability estimates for fertility traits were lower (0.07 for DO and 0.03 for INS). Antagonist genetic correlations were estimated between SURV and fertility (-0.78 and -0.54 for DO and INS, respectively) or production (-0.53 for MY305), suggesting reduced functional longevity with impaired fertility and increased milk production. Longer days open seems to affect survival more than increased INS. Also, high productive cows were more problematic, less functional and more liable to being culled. The results suggest that the sequential threshold model is a method that might be considered at evaluating genetic relationship between discrete-time survival and other traits, due to its flexibility.     

Relationships between cytology, bacteriology and vaginal discharge scores and reproductive performance in dairy cattle

The objective was to compare three diagnostic approaches for intrauterine infection and inflammation: scoring of vaginal contents; quantification of percentage of nucleated cells that were polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) following endometrial cytology; and intra-uterine bacteriology. Dairy cows (n = 303) were examined twice, Days 28 (D28) and 42 (D42), where Day 0 = day of calving. Associations between gross vaginal inflammation scores, uterine cytology, and bacteriology, and subsequent reproductive performance were examined using multivariable models. There was fair agreement at D28 (Kappa = 0.29), but only slight agreement at D42 (Kappa < 0.15), between PMN% and gross vaginal inflammation score. Cows were categorized as having PMN% in the highest quartile (H), or not (L), at both D28 and D42; therefore, cows were categorized as PMNLL, PMNLH, PMNHL, or PMNHH. Cows in the highest PMN% quartile at both time periods were slower to conceive (P < 0.001) than those in all other quartiles (mean ± SEM 32.2 ± 2.3, 37.0 ± 5.3, 40.8 ± 4.1, and 55.3 ± 7.3 d from start of breeding to conception for PMNLL, PMNLH, PMNHL, and PMNHH PMN% cows, respectively). Milk yield was greater (P = 0.001) in cows in the lower quartiles for PMN% at D28 and D42 (i.e., PMNLL) than those in the PMNHH and PMNHL categories, with PMNLH intermediate (P = 0.001). We concluded that PMN% was a better predictor of reproductive performance than either intra-uterine bacteriology or gross vaginal inflammation score. Cows in the highest quartile for PMN% at both D28 and D42 had lower pregnancy rates, took longer to conceive, and had a lower milk yield than those in the lower PMN% categories.     

Effects of feeding propylene glycol on dry matter intake, lactation performance, energy balance and blood metabolites in early lactation dairy cows

The objectives of this study were to evaluate effects of feeding propylene glycol (PG) on feed intake, milk yield and milk composition, blood metabolites and energy balance in Holstein dairy cows from 1 to 63 days in milk. Thirty-two multiparous cows, blocked by lactation number, previous 305-day milk production and expected calving date, were arranged into four groups in a randomized block design. Treatments were: control, low PG, medium PG and high PG with 0, 150, 300 and 450 ml PG per cow per day, respectively. The supplement of food grade PG (0.998 g/g PG) was hand-mixed into the top one-third of the daily ration. Cows were fed ad libitum a total mixed ration consisting of forage and concentrate (50 : 50, dry matter basis). Feed intake, milk yield and milk components were not affected (P > 0.05) by PG supplementation. Overall, body weight (BW) loss tended (P < 0.08) to be linearly reduced, and energy status was linearly improved with increasing PG supplementation. Concentrations of glucose in plasma were higher for cows fed PG relative to control (55.6 v. 58.9 mg/dl) and linearly increased (P < 0.01) with increasing PG supplementation. Plasma concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate were linearly increased, but urine acetoacetate concentration was quadratically changed with the highest for control diet and the lowest for 450 ml/day of PG. These results indicated that supplementation of PG in the early lactating cow diets had minimal effects on feed intake and milk production, but may potentially reduce contents of milk fat and milk protein. Supplementation of early lactating dairy cow diets with PG is beneficial in terms of improving energy status and reducing BW loss.     

Carbohydrate source offered in the prepartum diet did not affect postpartum metabolic status or milk yield in dairy cows

Increasing the provision of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) during the prepartum period is a feeding strategy that has been recommended to facilitate the transition to the onset of lactation and improve dairy cow performance, but results are contradictory, probably because most studies have confounded the effects of level and source of energy. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of the source of carbohydrate offered in the prepartum diet on postpartum cow performance. Holstein dairy cows (n=24) were assigned to receive diets with either low (LNFC), or high (HNFC) levels of NFC during the last 3 weeks before expected calving date according to a randomized complete block design. Soybean hulls and corn grain were the main energy ingredients in the LNFC and HNFC total mixed rations (TMR), respectively, and diets were designed to be isocaloric and isoproteic. After calving, all cows were managed as a single group until day 56 postpartum and grazed on improved pastures and were supplemented with a TMR. Body condition score evaluation and blood sampling were performed weekly throughout the experimental period to monitor the metabolic status of the animals. Prepartum glucose concentrations tended to be greater in HNFC than LNFC, but there was no effect on prepartum or postpartum insulin concentrations. Although nutrient intake was greater in the immediate week after calving in HNFC than LNFC, treatment did not affect milk yield and composition. In conclusion, increasing the NFC intake during the prepartum period, at a similar level of energy and protein intake, had a marginal residual effect on postpartum intake, and did not affect metabolic status or milk production.     

The potential interaction between body condition score at calving and dietary starch content on productive and reproductive performance of early-lactating dairy cows

Improving reproductive performance is one of the most important factors affecting the profitability of dairy herds. This study investigated the effect of feeding a high starch (HS) diet and body condition score (BCS) at calving on blood metabolites, fertility and ovarian function and milk production in Holstein dairy cows. One hundred seventy-four multiparous cows were fed common close-up and early lactation diets during the first 15 days in milk (DIM). Cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 experimental diets from 16 until 50 DIM (n = 87 per group); normal starch (228 g/kg diet DM; NS) or HS (270 g/kg diet DM; HS) diets. Each treatment group was further subdivided based on BCS at calving as normal BCS (BCS ⩽ 3.5; normal BCS (NBCS); n = 45) or high BCS (HBCS) (BCS ⩾ 3.75; HBCS; n = 42). A significant difference was detected for increased milk production (47.24 v. 44.55 kg/day) and decreased milk fat (33.93 v. 36.33 g/kg) in cows fed HS or NS, respectively. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly higher in cows fed the HS compared to the NS diet. Diets significantly affected DIM at first artificial insemination (AI, 79.51 ± 3.83 v. 90.40 ± 3.83 days for cows fed HS and NS diets, respectively). High BCS groups had greater milk fat content and elevated plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), β hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and bilirubin concentrations. In general, feeding higher starch diets to normal BCS cows during the first 50 DIM improved productive and reproductive performance of early-lactating dairy cows.     

绞股蓝总皂甙含量与其营养器官和生长期相关性的研究

应用组织化学和植物化学方法,研究绞股蓝总皂甙含量与其营养器官和生长期的相关性。结果表明,不同营养器官中绞股蓝总皂甙含量叶最高,茎次之,根茎和根最低。绞股蓝地上部分总皂甙含量从营养生长→开花→结果不同生长期呈现由低→高→低的变化趋势,其中7、8、9月的开花期绞股蓝总皂甙含量达到顶峰,为药材最佳采收时间。研究还得出,绞股蓝叶的形态结构特征与其总皂甙含量相关,可作为选育绞股蓝优良品种的指标。     

Linkage between amylase-1 locus and a major gene for milk fat content in cattle

Summary
Linkage between the amylase-1 ( Am-1 ) locus and a quantitative trait locus influencing fat content in milk was studied in offspring from heterozygous sires of the Swedish Red and White dairy breed. The effect on bull breeding values for fat content was estimated as interactions between sire and paternal Am-1 allele using a model eliminating the direct effects of sire and Am-1 allele. There were strong indications of linkage, confirming results of previous studies. The interaction was caused by strong associations in 7 out of 14 sire families. A test for within-family variance heterogeneity performed on the whole population of breeding bulls also supported the presence of a major gene for fat content in milk. The results indicate that there is genetic linkage between the Am-1 locus and a locus with large effect on milk fat content.