M Golebiewski

Effect of different fat supplements on the antioxidant capacity of cow’s milk

Abstract. This study examined the effect of different fat supplements on the antioxidants of cow’s milk. Thirty five Polish Holstein Friesian cows at 180±20 day of lactation and averaging 17.71±2.26 kg/d of milk were divided into five equal groups. There were five treatments groups: 300 g/d of fish oil, 500 g/d of Opal linseed, 500 g/d of Szafir linseed, 150 g/d of fish oil + 250 g/d of Opal linseed, 150 g/d of fish oil + 250 g/d Szafir linseed. Milk samples were collected five times during the 21 day of supplementation period: at the 1st, 14th and 21th day of the experimental period, and also at the 14th and 21st day after the supplement withdrawal. Diet supplementation with the Szafir linseed improved the chemical composition and milk yield at the 21st day of experiment. The highest level of malondialdehyde was recorded in fish oil, Opal linseed, fish oil + Opal linseed, and fish oil + Szafir linseed groups, and the lowest in the Szafir linseed group. After the 21st day of supplementation the concentration of α-retinol was significantly increased in all groups by 23 to 183 %. The highest level of α-tocopherol was found in fish oil + Opal linseed group at the 21st day of supplementation. Total antioxidative status increased in all experimental groups; however, the highest peak was recorded in fish oil + Szafir linseed and Szafir linseed group. The experiment confirmed that manipulation in cows’ diet may improve antioxidative capacity of milk.

Effect of supplementation of cows diet with linseed and fish oil and different variants of β-lactoglobulin on fatty acid composition and antioxidant capacity of milk

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the influence of polymorphic variants of β-lactoglobulin in cows supplemented with linseed and fish oil on the fatty acid composition and antioxidant capacity of milk. From the herd of 320 Polish Holstein Friesian cows three groups of cows were selected according to the variants of β-LG (β-LGAA, β-LGBB, β-LGAB). During the first 7 days (the initial period) all the cows were fed the same total mixed ration (TMR) diet. From day 8 to 28,150 g fish oil and 250 g linseed (FOL) was added to the TMR diet of each cow. RESULTS The results showed that the diet supplemented with FOL was effective in reducing atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. Introducing supplementation improved the antioxidant capacity: higher concentration of C18:2cis-9 trans-11, C20:5 n-3, C22:6 n-3, bioactive whey proteins and vitamin soluble in fat has been recorded. The results showed that β-LGAA was associated with lower levels of atherogenic and thrombogenic indices and higher concentration of C22:5 n-6, phospholipids and β-carotene. β-LGBB favours a higher content of C18:1trans-11, C18:2cis-9 trans-11 and lactoferrin. β-LGAB was associated with higher concentrations of C20:5 n-3, Lysozyme, α-retinol, α-tocopherol and total antioxidant status. CONCLUSION Modification of the diet of cows with fish oil and linseed significantly influenced fatty acid composition and antioxidant properties of milk. The effect of β-LG phenotype on the fatty acid composition and antioxidant capacity of milk is variable, which could partly be the result of a β-LG phenotype × diet interaction.

Effect of fish oil and linseed supplementation on the protein composition of milk from cows with different β-lactoglobulin phenotypes.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to determine the impact of fish oil and linseed (FOL) supplements on the protein fraction levels of milk from cows with different phenotypes of β-lactoglobulin. RESULTS After 21 days of supplementation the study showed significantly higher concentrations of whey proteins, especially lysozyme (144% increase) and lactoferrin (45.5% increase), compared with milk from control cows (total mixed ration with no supplemented FOL). A reverse trend was demonstrated for casein, casein index and casein number (lower level). The most favourable change (higher level), in terms of lactoferrin, α-lactalbumin and bovine serum albumin contents in milk, was recorded in cows with the BB variant of β-lactoglobulin. The highest level of lysozyme was recorded in the milk of cows with the AB variant of β-lactoglobulin. CONCLUSION The combined supplementation of fish oil and linseed had a positive impact on whey proteins in cows milk. In addition, the phenotype of β-lactoglobulin also played a role in milk protein composition. There is therefore a clear indication that nutritional experiments should take into account not only food supplements but also the genetic variants of β-lactoglobulin.

Plasma leptin as a predictor for carcass composition in growing lambs

Abstract The experiment was conducted on 30 single born Polish Merino ram lambs. At the age of 112 d, 10 ram lambs were slaughtered at 20 kg (group 1), 25 kg (group 2), and 30 kg (group 3) live weight. Plasma leptin increased between 20 and 25 kg, as well as 25 and 30 kg live weight. The differences between group 1 vs. group 3 and group 2 vs. group 3 were statistically important (P < 0.001). The lack of differences in meat content of the pelvic limb between the groups and, at the same time, the lower fat content (P < 0.001) in group 1, plus the higher fat content of the two remaining groups, are evidence of the higher fatness of carcasses in groups 2 and 3. The fat tissues except the subcutaneous fat were significantly related with the leptin concentrations at slaughter. The leptin concentration of lambs slaughtered at 30 kg live weight surpassed significantly the values noted in groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). The correlations between leptin and body composition indicate that plasma leptin concentration at 30 kg live weight can be a predictor of body fat. The correlation of meat weight with leptin concentration has shown no statistical differences.

Comparison of calves' rearing parameters in two different housing systems: indoor versus outdoor hutches

Abstract. The main aim of the study was to compare the rearing effect of calves kept outdoor in individual hutches and indoor in group pens. During the experiments, the following measure ments were carried out: body weight, daily gains, feed intake, morbidity and mortality. The study was conducted on 90 calves from 5th to 90th day of age; all calves were fed the same feed and according to the same schedule. Results revealed that during the first month, the calves from both groups achieved the same daily gains. However, older calves kept indoor were characterised by better daily gains, feed intake and as a result, body weight. The outdoor system has positive effect on morbidity, especially in case of pneumonia and diarrhoea. During the experiment, only two calves were lost (mortality rate – 2.2 %).

Effect of Dairy Cow Crossbreeding on Selected Performance Traits and Quality of Milk in First Generation Crossbreds: Crossbreeding in dairy cattle…

The main goal of crossbreeding Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows with bulls of other dairy or combined breeds is to improve their performance traits. Thus, the aim of this investigation was to compare the dairy performance traits of first generation crossbreds produced by crossbreeding Polish HF cows with bulls of other breeds (Norman, Norwegian Red, Danish Red, Brown Swiss, Montbeliarde, and Simmental). This was done by analyzing the fatty acid profile and technological quality of the milk from these first generation crossbreds. The investigation showed that crossbreeding greatly influenced the performance parameters and technological quality of the milk of the first generation crossbreds obtained from crossbreeding Polish HF cows with bulls of other dairy or combined breeds. The crossbreed cows characterized by the highest both quantity and quality of milk. Also, the best parameters of milk fat dispersion (that is, the highest values of these parameters) that are useful in the production of hard ripening cheeses and butter were found in the milk of crossbreed cows. Health beneficially, saturated fatty acids level in milk of crossbreeds was by 25.96% lower in crossbreds milk when compared to purebred cows. The most beneficial content of whey proteins was found in the milk of Polish HF and Norwegian Red crosses, where it was 19.04% higher than in pure breed Holsteins. F1 cows tend to express better functional traits than Holstein (PHF) cows. Effect of heterosis was larger and gave better results when there was a greater genetic distance between the animals used for crossbreeding. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The effects of heterosis are opposite to the effects of inbreeding depression, and it extends the lifespan and use of animals as well as improves their fertility and health. The main goal of crossbreeding Holstein-Friesian cows with bulls of other dairy or combined breeds is to improve their performance traits. F1 cows tend to express better functional traits than Holstein (PHF) cows. Effect of heterosis was larger and gave better results when there was a greater genetic distance between the animals used for crossbreeding.

The effect of carcass weight on chemical characteristics and fatty acid composition of Longissimus dorsi and Semimembranosus muscles of European wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) meat

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of carcass weight on chemical characteristics and fatty acid composition of m. longissimus dorsi and m. semimembranosus of European wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) meat. The research was carried out on 50 wild boars shot during four battues at hunting reserves in the central part of Poland. The carcasses were divided into three groups: ≤30 kg (G1), 31–45 kg (G2), and >45 kg (G3). The protein concentration increased with carcass weight (P ≤ 0.01). The concentration of saturated fatty acids was influenced by carcass weight and was higher when weight increased. A significantly higher level of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) was found in the carcasses of wild boars from G3 compared with G1 group (P ≤ 0.01). The content of C18:2n-6 was significantly lower in the lightest carcasses compared with the heaviest (P ≤ 0.05). Statistical analysis confirmed that carcasses weight significantly affected polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) n-3 content. The lightest carcasses contained a significantly higher concentration of PUFA n-3 (P ≤ 0.01). In addition, in G3, the amount of C22:5n-3 was two-fold lower (P ≤ 0.01) than in G1. The research has shown that the meat quality was affected by the carcass weight, resulting better parameters in the lighter than in the heavier carcasses. Therefore, most of the culled wild boars should be squeakers and young boars after the first year of life.

Effectiveness of »natural stockmanship« training in cattle

Abstract. The objective of this study was to investigate whether natural stockmanship training can be effective in the elimination of avoidance reactions by generating submissive behaviour in dairy cattle. The training session was divided into two procedures: natural stockmanship training focused on getting a submissive response to human approach; natural halter training focused on acceptance of stroking with a halter and fitting it. Both procedures were conducted on unrestrained animals by skilled trainer. Two tests were developed to assess the effectiveness of the method: »udder touching« testing natural stockmanship training and »halter-fitting« testing both natural stockmanship training and natural halter training. Training procedures followed the idea of employing natural behaviour of cattle (avoiding discomfort of pressure) to negative reinforcement conditioning (chasing away when an animal moved away) and habituation to trainer and training/testing arena. Sixty-three (n=63) animals from two barns were studied: 32 heifers and 31 cows followed by control group of 7 heifers and 11 cows. The approach developed proved to be an effective method of handling cattle: 93.7 % of animals completed »udder test« in an average 400.4 s and 75.8 % completed »halter fitting test« in an average 559.7 s compared to control group results: 77.8 % and 33.3 %, respectively. Animals responded with submission and avoidance distance was shortened to zero. Previous experience of being milked had a significant positive effect on »udder touching« test performance and duration but not »halter-fitting« test. No environmental impact was found and animals from both farms responded similarly.

Effects of calf separation and injection of oxytocin on milk performance and milk composition of the Polish Red cows

Abstract. The aim of this study was to analyse the yield and composition of milk from Polish Red cattle after 12-hour isolation of calves. Sixty six Polish Red cows were kept together with calves. Control milkings were carried out once a month after 12-hour isolation of calves. Five subsequent milkings after calving were taken under consideration. In the season (May–July 2012) oxytocin (OXT, 1 ml, 3 min before control milking) was injected. The milk of cows milked mechanically after 12-hour isolation of calves was characterized by a very low fat content (0.47–0.58 %) depending on the month after calving. There were no differences in protein and lactose content compared to the standard composition of cow’s milk. The milk yield was 6.16 kg in the first milking after calving and 3.55–4.01 kg in the four further milkings. After administration of OXT a significant increase of milk was observed in the first (12.9 kg) and subsequent months of lactation (8.5–12.4 kg). Milk fat content was significantly higher (4.14 % in the first and 3.39–3.86 % in the further milkings).