Fiorenzo Piccioli Cappelli

Attenuation of inflammatory response phenomena in periparturient dairy cows by the administration of an ω3 rumen protected supplement containing vitamin E

The aim of this research was to study the consequences of ω3 fatty acids (FA) administration around calving on inflammatory response and on productive performances. In this period dairy cows undergo a metabolic challenge, coming with an inflammatory-like status triggering the release of pro-inflammatory mediators (e.g. eicosanoids, cytokines). Eicosanoids synthesis may be modulated by altering the ratio of their precursors (ω3 and ω6 FA). Ten cows received 22 g/d of rumenprotected ω3 FA from −21 to +21 days from calving (OPT), while 10 (CTR) received no supplement. Cows were frequently monitored for health status, body condition score (BCS), blood (metabolic, inflammatory and FA profiles), milk yield. OPT (vs CTR) showed a similar milk production, a numerically smaller BCS drop, lower postpartum levels of nonesterified fatty acids (P<0.05), β-hydroxybutyric acid (P<0.1) and creatinine (P<0.05), suggesting a milder post-calving reserves mobilization. All cows underwent an inflammatory condition around calving, but OPT showed a milder response, as suggested by lower levels of bilirubin (P<0.05), and by the higher level of Liver Functionality Index (P<0.10). Plasma concentration of ω3 FA (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) increased in OPT during treatment (P<0.01 vs CTR). Since ω3 FA are the main replacers of arachidonic acid in membrane phospholipids, their increased levels in plasma of OPT cows may have cut the formation of arachidonic-derivatives (pro-inflammatory mediators), countering the beginning of the inflammation. Hence, the administration of rumen-protected ω3 FA in transition period seems to attenuate the effects of subclinical inflammations and to improve the energy balance.

Effect of diets with different content of starch and protein fed to dairy cows in early lactation on milk yield and traits

Abstract With the aim to study the effect on milk yield and its traits of 2 different levels of fermentable carbohydrates (LS: 25.5%, and HS: 29.5% DM) combined with 2 protein levels (LP: 15.5% and HP: 16.5% DM), 4 Italian Friesian dairy cows in early lactation housed in a tied stall were used. The experimental diets were obtained adjusting in 4 supplements the proportion of high energy fibrous (beet pulp, soybean hull) or starchy (corn meal) feeds and of meal protein more (soybean meal) or less (Soy-Pass®: xylose-treated soybean meal) degradable. The highest DMI was observed in HSHP which showed also a low content of NDF. Milk yield resulted over 45 kg/d throughout the study and higher when HSHP diet was fed (46.1 kg). Milk fat was always at high level and the lowest value (3.89%) with HSHP and the highest (4.08%) with LSLP were observed. The diets did not modified milk protein (their average levels resulted of 3.25%) and lactose content. Milk acidity and renneting traits were higher when HSLP was fed, and resulted at adequate levels when all the diets were fed. When the diets for dairy cow are formulated to cover the animal requirements and respect their digestion physiology, it is possible to reach high milk yield level and maintaining, at the same time, a high milk quality .

Effect of Se source and dose on selenomethionine and selenocysteine levels in blood and plasma of mature horses.

Abstract The study comprised 25 mature horses and incorporated five dietary treatments; a nega tive control (C: 0.085 mg Se/kg DM), 3 levels of Se yeast supplementation, obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3060 (OS2, OS3 and OS4: 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mg Se/kg DM respectively) and one positive control supplemented with Na selenite (IS3: 0.3 mg Se/kg DM). Diets were offered for 112 days. Total Se, proportion of total Se comprised as selenomethionine (SeMet) or selenocysteine (SeCys) of pooled samples of blood and plasma for each treatment at d 0.56 and 112 were determined. Total Se and SeCys increased both in blood and plasma during the trial in all treatments supplemented with Se; these increases were proportional to the level of dietary Se supplementation. The SeMet increased only in treatments supplemented with Se yeast, with increases proportional to the level of dietary Se supplementation. In Se yeast horses the proportion of total Se comprised as SeMet accounted for 20 and 14% of total Se increase in blood and plasma respectively; in IS3 only accounted for 5 and 3% respectively. These results seem support the view that SeMet is a non-specific form of Se that is metabolized as a constituent of the methionine pool, and can be considered as a storage form of Se in higher animals.