Fabio Abeni

Metabolic and hematological profiles in mature horses supplemented with different selenium sources and doses.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary Se source and dose on metabolic and hematological profiles, and their relationships with oxidative status in horses. Twenty-five mature horses were blocked by BW and randomly allocated to 1 of 5 dietary treatments: negative control (CTRL: 0.085 mg of Se/kg of DM), 3 different dietary concentrations of organic Se provided by Se yeast (SY02, SY03, and SY04 containing 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mg of total Se/kg of DM, respectively), and 1 positive control provided by sodium selenite (SS03 containing 0.3 mg of total Se/kg of DM). Horses were fed the same basal diet (6 kg of grass hay and 3 kg of concentrate per horse daily) and received their respective treatments for a continuous period of 112 d. Jugular venous blood samples were collected before the morning feed on d 0, 28, 56, 84, and 112. Whole blood was analyzed for hematological profile, and plasma was analyzed for metabolites of energy, protein, and mineral metabolism; enzymatic activities and metabolites related to liver and muscle damage; and markers of inflammatory and oxidative status. Plasma metabolites related to energy, protein, and mineral metabolism, acute phase proteins, and enzyme activities related to hepatocellular, hepatobiliary, and muscle damage were not affected by Se source or dose. There were no differences among treatments in either reactive oxygen metabolites or thiol group concentrations in plasma. However, a linear decrease (P < 0. 01) in plasma total antioxidants was observed with increasing Se yeast supplementation. Furthermore, total antioxidant concentrations were less in SY03 than SS03 horses (P < 0.05), and were less in SY03 and SY04 than CTRL horses (P < 0.05). These results could be interpreted as an improvement in the preventive antioxidant systems of horses fed Se yeast. Total white blood cell count was not affected by treatment. There was a tendency for horses receiving greater concentrations of Se yeast to have greater lymphocyte counts (P = 0.09), with greater lymphocyte counts in blood of SY03 vs. SS03 horses (P < 0.05). Despite the lack of effect of Se source and dose on markers of inflammatory and liver status, the hematological profile seems to indicate an immunomodulatory action, as shown by mild changes in the white blood cell populations in response to Se yeast inclusion.

Hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope fractionation in body fluid compartments of dairy cattle according to season, farm, breed, and reproductive stage.

Environmental temperature affects water turnover and isotope fractionation by causing water evaporation from the body in mammals. This may lead to rearrangement of the water stable isotope equilibrium in body fluids. We propose an approach to detect possible variations in the isotope ratio in different body fluids on the basis of different homoeothermic adaptations in varying reproductive stages. Three different reproductive stages (pregnant heifer, primiparous lactating cow, and pluriparous lactating cow) of two dairy cattle breeds (Italian Friesian and Modenese) were studied in winter and summer. Blood plasma, urine, faecal water, and milk were sampled and the isotope ratios of H (2H/1H) and O (18O/16O) were determined. Deuterium excess and isotope-fractionation factors were calculated for each passage from plasma to faeces, urine and milk. The effects of the season, reproductive stages and breed on δ 2H and δ 18O were significant in all the fluids, with few exceptions. Deuterium excess was affected by season in all the analysed fluids. The correlations between water isotope measurements in bovine body fluids ranged between 0.6936 (urine-milk) and 0.7848 (urine-plasma) for δ 2H, and between 0.8705 (urine-milk) and 0.9602 (plasma-milk) for δ 18O. The increase in both isotopic δ values in all body fluids during summer is representative of a condition in which fractionation took place as a consequence of a different ratio between ingested and excreted water, which leads to an increased presence of the heavy isotopes. The different body water turnover between adult lactating cattle and non-lactating heifers was confirmed by the higher isotopic δ for the latter, with a shift in the isotopic equilibrium towards values more distant from those of drinking water.

Evaluation of milk enzymes and electrolytes, plasma metabolites, and oxidative status in twin cows milked in an automatic milking system or twice daily in a conventional milking parlor.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effects of automatic milking (AM) on milk enzymes and minerals related to mammary epithelial integrity in comparison with twice-daily conventional milking (CM). One cow from each of 6 pairs of twins was assigned to be milked with AM or with CM throughout first lactation. Milk production was recorded and milk samples were collected at 4, 11, 18, 25, 32, and 39 wk of lactation (WOL) to determine fat and protein content, somatic cell count, pH, plasminogen (pl) and plasmin (Pl) activities, Na, K, and Cl. Body condition score was monitored; blood samples were collected to determine energy-related metabolites in the first third of lactation (14 WOL), and plasma oxidative status throughout lactation. Overall mean and standard deviation of milking frequency (MF) in AM were 2.69 and 0.88, respectively. Milk production, fat and protein contents, and somatic cell count did not differ between milking systems. The pl and pl+Pl activities were lesser in AM than in CM. Milk pH was greater in AM than in CM. Milk Na, K, Na/K ratio, and Cl did not differ across the whole lactation. Milk pH had a positive correlation with milk Pl activity (r = 0.41), Na (r = 0.37), and Cl (r = 0.40) concentration, and negative correlation with the log(10) of pl/Pl ratio (r = -0.47). The milk Na/K ratio had a positive correlation (r = 0.55) with milk Pl activity. Milking system (MS) did not seem to affect mammary epithelial permeability. The differences in enzymatic (proteolytic) activity due to the MS, probably related to daily MF, lead one to suppose that the quality of the protein fraction for the cheese-making process was preserved better with AM than with CM, even if differences in pH might negatively interfere. No difference was detected in BCS, and in plasma concentration of triglycerides and nonesterified fatty acids, whereas plasma cholesterol concentration during the first 10 WOL was lesser in AM than CM. Oxidative status, measured by plasma reactive oxygen metabolites and thiol groups, did not differ between MS throughout the whole lactation. These results suggest that early lactation of AM primiparous cows may give rise to crucial situations: for milk production, when a low MF may impair further mammary cell proliferation; for milk quality, if an irregular MF, with prolonged milking intervals, leads to an increased milk pH with increased conversion of pl to Pl.

Main causes of poor welfare in intensively reared dairy cows

Abstract The aim of this review is to summarise the main causes of poor welfare in intensively reared dairy cows. Intensive farming systems are considered, both from a structural and a managerial point of view, for their constraints that may limit animal welfare: possible physical activity; acceptable interactions with humans and other animals; feeding and watering, protection from climate, parasites, and diseases. The dairy farms managed according to the organic rules do not always guarantee, per se, better welfare conditions; organic or low input dairy farming needs to consider the right interaction among cattle breed and herd management, focusing on the actual quality of feedstuffs meet face cow requirements. The considered structural aspects evidence how special care must be given to the rest area (straw yard or cubicle); to the floors that should be not too hard or abrasive and not slippery; to the cubicle bedding material to ensure hygiene, softness, and dryness; to the feeding (and watering) area to reduce conflicts; to a microclimate control system, to avoid heat stress during summer time. The importance of proper management for animal welfare is evidenced for buildings and equipment, to have clean and comfortable stables and well functioning milking machines; nutritive and storage quality of feeds; diet suitability (energy, protein, physically efficient fibre, buffers etc.), in the different phases of a dairy cow’s life (dry period, close-up, transition, and lactation); feed distribution (frequency and time), and 24h availability. Special attention has to be paid to the social aspects, regarding both animal competition (stocking density, group size), and human/animal interactions (methods of management and manipulation). The interaction between welfare and health requires special attention. Poor welfare can cause immune depression, thus increasing the risk of disease. In turn, any disease that causes an inflammatory response may determine depression, anorexia, an increase in temperature, and metabolic pathways deviation, with a worsening of the overall sense of well-being.

New insights into the quality characteristics of milk from Modenese breed compared with Italian Friesian

Abstract This study examined the milk quality of the autochthonous cattle breed Modenese (MO) in comparison with Italian Friesian (IF), at peak and mid lactation, with the aim to support the interest in sustainability of the local cattle breeds in Europe. Forty-eight individual milk samples were collected from 11 MO and 14 IF pluriparous cows, housed in a free stall barn under similar conditions of feeding and management, at 8 and 21 weeks post-calving; daily milk yield (MY) and body condition score (BCS) were individually recorded. Breed differences were observed, being MY lower in MO cows, but BCS, titratable acidity, freezing point, casein (MC), total calcium (Ca), total phosphorus (P) and colloidal P contents were higher compared to IF cows. Time affected BCS, MY, milk protein (MP), MC, urea, casein P and the micellar content of colloidal Ca and colloidal inorganic P. A factorial analysis was performed and four common factors were obtained with a cumulative explained variance of 77.7% of the total original. MO milk showed a nutritionally interesting mineral profile and processing properties suitable for the production of typical cheese that could be interesting for improving the interest in the conservation of animal genetic resources.

Plasma parameters related to energy and lipid metabolism in periparturient Modenese and Italian Friesian cows

The aim of this work was to compare energy and lipid metabolism during the peripartum period between Modenese (MO) and Italian Friesian (IF) cows. The study was carried out on 33 pluriparous pregnant cows, 19 IF and 14 MO, reared together in the same herd and kept under equal conditions of management and nutrition. Blood was sampled from jugular vein starting 4 week before expected calving date until 4 week post-calving, once weekly. Plasma was analysed for glucose, NEFA, BHBA, triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations. Body condition score (BCS) was assessed weekly after blood sampling. Data from antepartum (a.p.) and post-partum (p.p.) periods were separately analysed as repeated measures by a linear mixed models with the effect of breed, time and their interaction as main factors and random cow within breed. The energy status differed between the two breeds during the peripartum period. We observed higher BCS a.p. and p.p. and lower BCS variations p.p. in MO compared to IF group. Modenese cows showed lower glucose and cholesterol concentrations (p < 0.001), but higher NEFA values, NEFA to cholesterol and NEFA to albumin ratios (p < 0.001) during a.p.; on the contrary, IF cows had higher (p < 0.05) cholesterol, NEFA, BHBA levels and NEFA to albumin ratio than MO ones during p.p. The differences observed between the two breeds suggest how MO cows are subjected to lipid mobilization during late gestation; on the contrary, IF cows are predisposed to mobilize their lipid reserves at the beginning of lactation to support high production. The results indicate a diverse ability to cope with metabolic stress and suggest the hypothesis that the differences in concentrations of plasma parameters and their variation amplitude around the calving period might depend on the different genetic merit for milk production between the two breeds.

Bovine colostrum: Changes in lipid constituents in the first 5 days after parturition

Despite the great interest paid to protein components in colostrum, fat also plays an important role in the supply of essential nutrients to provide energy, increase metabolism, and protect the newborn calf against microbial infections. This work aimed to elucidate levels of different fat components in colostrum, in particular fatty acid (FA), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, and phospholipid contents. Colostrum samples from primiparous and multiparous (3-5 lactations) Holstein dams, fed the same ration indoors, were collected on the first 5d after parturition, analyzed, and compared with milk samples from the same cows collected at 5mo of lactation. Fat content during the first 5d of milking did not vary. However, the proportion of short-chain saturated FA increased and that of long-chain FA decreased. The concentration of n-3 FA was higher on the first day of calving than on the other days, with clear differences in the number and type of n-3 FA. Conjugated linoleic isomers and trans FA slowly increased from d 1 to 5, reaching a maximum at 5mo of lactation. Changes in the distribution profile of TG were observed as lactation progressed, with a shift from a prevalence of high-carbon-number TG (C48-50) on d 1 to a bimodal distribution (maxima at C38 and C50) on d 5, characteristic of mid-lactation milk. Cholesterol content was high in the first hours after calving and rapidly decreased within 48h. Colostrum sampled on d 1 also had a high content of phospholipids. Phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin were, respectively, lower and higher in the first 5d than in mid-lactation milk. The influence of lactation number on colostrum fat composition was also considered and significant results were obtained for all FA groups (except for polyunsaturated and n-6 FA) and TG content.

Leptin gene haplotypes are associated with change in immunological and hematological variables in dairy cow during the peripartum period.

In this study, the effect of polymorphisms in the leptin gene on the hematological variables in periparturient dairy cows was investigated. The hematological profile of 67 Holstein cows was assessed for 6 wk around calving. The DNA of the cows was genotyped at 6 polymorphic loci within the leptin gene, and 7 haplotypes were reconstructed. Significant haplotype substitution effects were found, for haplotype 1, on total white blood cell count for 2 wk around calving (+0.70 10(3)/μL, P = 0.05; +1.38 10(3)/μL, P = 0.0001); on neutrophil cell count in the first week after calving (+0.94 10(3)/μL, P = 0.001); on lymphocyte count during the 3 wk before and the first week after calving (+0.32 10(3)/μL, P = 0.05; +0.27 10(3)/μL, P = 0.03; +0.26 10(3)/μL, P = 0.04; +0.34 10(3)/μL, P = 0.01); on red blood cell count during the last week before calving and wk 1 and 2 after calving (+0.21 10(6)/μL, P = 0.02; +0.23 10(6)/μL, P = 0.01; +0.20 10(6)/μL, P = 0.03); on mean corpuscular volume (-1.35 fL, P = 0.01; -1.29 fL, P = 0.002; -1.18 fL, P = 0.004; -1.09 fL, P = 0.008; -1.23 fL, P = 0.003; -1.31 fL, P = 0.003); and on mean corpuscular hemoglobin (-0.37 pg, P = 0.05; -0.38 pg, P = 0.02; -0.39 pg, P = 0.01; -0.34 pg, P = 0.03; -0.40 pg, P = 0.01; -0.40 pg, P = 0.01) during all 6 wk analyzed. Significant haplotype substitution effects, but opposite those of haplotype-1, were found for haplotype-2 on white blood cell count (-1.10 10(3)/μL, P = 0.01; -1.30 10(3)/μL, P = 0.002; -1.09 10(3)/μL, P = 0.01) and neutrophil count (-0.82 10(3)/μL, P = 0.02; -0.95 10(3)/μL, P = 0.005; -0.92 10(3)/μL, P = 0.01). Haplotype-3 influenced red blood cell count (-0.23 10(6)/μL, P = 0.03; -0.28 10(6)/μL, P = 0.01; -0.34 10(6)/μL, P = 0.002) during the last 2 wk before and the first week after calving, and also, with effects evident only in wk 3 and 2 before calving, mean corpuscular volume (+1.38 fL, P = 0.03; +0.97 fL, P = 0.05; +1.08 fL, P = 0.05), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (+0.58 pg, P = 0.02; +0.38 pg, P = 0.04; 0.51 pg, P = 0.01), and red blood cell distribution width (-0.56% P = 0.02; -0.47%, P = 0.05). The current study provided evidence that several polymorphisms in the leptin gene play a role in the variability of hematological variables during the peripartum period, and might be used as genetic markers for improving the immunological conditions of dairy cows in critical productive periods.

Automation in dairy cattle milking: experimental results and considerations

Abstract The results of two experimental programs financed to the Istituto Sperimentale per la Zootecnia are presented. The objective of the two Italian programs was the verify if automatic milking is a suitable practice for Italian dairy system. Results are summarised and compared to those obtained in other international projects. Results refer to animal behaviour, milk yield, milk quality an animal welfare. In a trial comparing cows milked with an automatic milking system and cows milked in a milking parlour, we observed that when the temperature and humidity are very high cows reduce their activity, have lower milking frequency and milk yield than in cold seasons. In comparison to milking parlour, automatic milking system did not increase milk yield which was affected significantly by season, stage of lactation, parity, season per treatment and parity per treatment. The causes of the negative results obtained by this group and by other international groups are discussed. We also presented the results obtained in four trials thereby four appetizers or flavourings were tested to improve efficiency of automatic milking system. Comparing the two milking systems, automatic milking determined a worsening of milk quality, but from these data is not possible to exclude the possibility to use automatic milking for Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano-type cheeses. Animal welfare is not negatively influenced by automatic milking system, which has the potentiality to improve the control and care of cows.

Effects of adsorbents in dairy cow diet on milk quality and cheese-making properties

Abstract The use of adsorbents (clinoptilolite+sepiolite) in the diet of cows was evaluated in two trials. A total of 52 Italian Friesian cows were assigned to one of two dietary treatments, control and adsorbent (CON vs. ADS). Individual and bulk milk samples were collected. On individual data, no significant difference was found between treatments in milk yield, milk fat, protein, and lactose concentrations, milk protein yield, pH, and titratable acidity, both in summer and spring. In spring only, there was a trend (P = 0.07) for a higher milk fat yield and a lower somatic cell number in ADS than in CON group. In summer only, milk clotting time was higher in ADS than in CON group (P < 0.05). On bulk milk, no significant differences in components and technological features were found between the CON and ADS groups. The bulk milk contents in total and soluble Ca were 1100 vs. 1108 mg/kg and 378 vs. 369 mg/kg for CON and ADS respectively, proving to be unaffected by treatment and suggesting a lack of interference by ADS on milk Ca availability for cheese-making process. We concluded that, for a period of 12 weeks, the addition of 1% on DM of the diet for lactating cows of non-nutritional adsorbents does not negatively affect milk yield, milk composition, and cheese-making features.