Do Added Microplastics, Native Soil Properties, and Prevailing Climatic Conditions Have Consequences for Carbon and Nitrogen Contents in Soil? A Global Data Synthesis of Pot and Greenhouse Studies.

Microplastics threaten soil ecosystems, strongly influencing carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents. Interactions between microplastic properties and climatic and edaphic factors are poorly understood. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the interactive effects of microplastic properties (type, shape, size, and content), native soil properties (texture, pH, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC)) and climatic factors (precipitation and temperature) on C and N contents in soil. We found that low-density polyethylene reduced total nitrogen (TN) content, whereas biodegradable polylactic acid led to a decrease in soil organic carbon (SOC). Microplastic fragments especially depleted TN, reducing aggregate stability, increasing N-mineralization and leaching, and consequently increasing the soil C/N ratio. Microplastic size affected outcomes; those <200 µm reduced both TN and SOC contents. Mineralization-induced nutrient losses were greatest at microplastic contents between 1 and 2.5% of soil weight. Sandy soils suffered the highest microplastic contamination-induced nutrient depletion. Alkaline soils showed the greatest SOC depletion, suggesting high SOC degradability. In low-DOC soils, microplastic contamination caused 2-fold greater TN depletion than in soils with high DOC. Sites with high precipitation and temperature had greatest decrease in TN and SOC contents. In conclusion, there are complex interactions determining microplastic impacts on soil health. Microplastic contamination always risks soil C and N depletion, but the severity depends on microplastic characteristics, native soil properties, and climatic conditions, with potential exacerbation by greenhouse emission-induced climate change.

The effect of Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) fruit supplementation on the rumen microbiota and its correlation with rumen fermentation in dairy cows.

Introduction: Medicinal plants, rich in phytochemicals like phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, offer potential benefits in enhancing productivity, quality, and animal health. Amla fruit (Phyllanthus emblica) is one such plant with promising attributes. This study aimed to investigate the impact of fresh Amla fruit (FAF) supplementation on ruminal microbial composition and its correlation with rumen fermentation in lactating dairy cows. Methods: The study employed a repeated crossover design involving eight ruminally cannulated mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows. Animals received varying levels of fresh Amla fruit supplementation (0, 200, 400, and 600 g/d). Results: When 400 g/d of FAF was added to the diet, there was a significant increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes (p = 0.02). However, at 200 g/d, the relative abundance of ruminal Bacteroidota was higher than the 0 and 400 g/d FAF supplementation (p < 0.01). LEfSe analysis identified distinct taxa, such as Clostridia vadinBB60 in the 200 g/d group, Oscillospiraceae in the 400 g/d group, and Elusimicrobium in the 600 g/d group. Notably, the random forest species abundance statistics identified Oscillospiraceae V9D2013 as a biomarker related to milk yield. Oscillospiraceae, Bacilli RF39, norank_f Prevotellaceae, and Bifidobacterium were positively correlated with ruminal total VFA and molar proportion of propionate, while Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group and Clostridia vadinBB60 were negatively correlated. Discussion: FAF supplementation affects the abundance of beneficial microbes in a dose-dependent manner, which can improve milk yield, efficiency, rumen health, desirable fatty acids, and animal health.

Could soil microplastic pollution exacerbate climate change? A meta-analysis of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential.

Microplastics pollution and climate change are primarily investigated in isolation, despite their joint threat to the environment. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are emitted during: the production of plastic and rubber, the use and degradation of plastic, and after contamination of environment. This is the first meta-analysis to assess underlying causal relationships and the influence of likely mediators. We included 60 peer-reviewed empirical studies; estimating GHGs emissions effect size and global warming potential (GWP), according to key microplastics properties and soil conditions. We investigated interrelationships with microbe functional gene expression. Overall, microplastics contamination was associated with increased GHGs emissions, with the strongest effect (60%) on CH4 emissions. Polylactic-acid caused 32% higher CO2 emissions, but only 1% of total GWP. Phenol-formaldehyde had the greatest (175%) GWP via 182% increased N2O emissions. Only polystyrene resulted in reduced GWP by 50%, due to N2O mitigation. Polyethylene caused the maximum (60%) CH4 emissions. Shapes of microplastics differed in GWP: fiber had the greatest GWP (66%) whereas beads reduced GWP by 53%. Films substantially increased emissions of all GHGs: 14% CO2, 10% N2O and 60% CH4. Larger-sized microplastics had higher GWP (125%) due to their 9% CO2 and 63% N2O emissions. GWP rose sharply if soil microplastics content exceeded 0.5%. Higher CO2 emissions, ranging from 4% to 20%, arose from soil which was either fine, saturated or had high-carbon content. Higher N2O emissions, ranging from 10% to 95%, arose from soils that had either medium texture, saturated water content or low-carbon content. Both CO2 and N2O emissions were 43%-56% higher from soils with neutral pH. We conclude that microplastics contamination can cause raised GHGs emissions, posing a risk of exacerbating climate-change. We show clear links between GHGs emissions, microplastics properties, soil characteristics and soil microbe functional gene expression. Further research is needed regarding underlying mechanisms and processes.

Turning weeds into feed: Ensiling Calotropis gigantea (Giant milkweed) reduces its toxicity and enhances its palatability for dairy cows.

Calotropis gigantea (Giant milkweed, GM) has the potential to be utilized as a new feed additive for ruminants, however, the presence of unpalatable or toxic compounds decreases animal feed intake. This study aimed to valorize GM as a potential new feed resource through the chemical and microbial biotransformation of toxic compounds that will henceforth, make the plant palatable for cows. After GM's ensiling using fermentative bacteria, the plant was sampled for UHPLC-MS/MS to analyse the metabolomic changes. Illumina Miseq of the 16 S rRNA fragment genes and ITS1 were used to describe the microbial composition and structure colonizing GM silage and contributing to the biodegradation of toxic compounds. Microbial functions were predicted from metataxonomic data and KEGG pathways analysis. Eight Holstein dairy cows assigned in a cross-over design were supplemented with GM and GM silage to evaluate palatability and effects on milk yield and milk protein. Cows were fed their typical diet prior to the experiment (positive control). After ensiling, 23 flavonoids, 47 amino acids and derivatives increased, while the other 14 flavonoids, 9 amino acids and derivatives decreased, indicating active metabolism during the GM ensiling process. Lactobacillus buchneri, Bacteroides ovatus, and Megasphaera elsdenii were specific to ensiled GM and correlated to functional plant metabolites, while Sphingomonas paucimobilis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus were specific to non-ensiled GM and correlated to the toxic metabolite 5-hydroxymethylfurfural."Xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism", "cancer overview" and "neurodegenerative disease" were the highly expressed microbial KEGG pathways in non-ensiled GM. Non-ensiled GM is unpalatable for cows and drastically reduces the animal's feed intake, whereas ensiled GM does not reduce feed intake, milk yield and milk protein. This study provides essential information for sustainable animal production by valorizing GM as a new feed additive.

Multi-omics dataset of bovine mammary epithelial cells stimulated by ten different essential amino acids.

Application of high-throughput sequencing and screening help to detect the transcriptional and metabolic discrepancies in organs provided with various levels of nutrients. The influences of individual essential amino acid (EAA) administration on transcriptomic and metabolomic profilings of bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) were systematically investigated. A RNA sequencing and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry generated a comprehensive comparison of transcriptomics, non-targeted metabolomics and targeted amino acids profilings of BMECs with individual EAA stimulation by turn. The sequencing data and raw LC-MS/MS data of samples were presented in the databases of Gene Expression Omnibus, MetaboLights and Figshare for efficient reuse, including exploring the divergences in metabolisms between different EAAs and screening valuable genes and metabolites regulating casein synthesis.

Schizochytrium sp. and lactoferrin supplementation alleviates Escherichia coli K99-induced diarrhea in preweaning dairy calves.

Calf diarrhea, a common disease mainly induced by Escherichia coli infection, is one of the main reasons for nonpredator losses. Hence, an effective nonantibacterial approach to prevent calf diarrhea has become an emerging requirement. This study evaluated the microalgae Schizochytrium sp. (SZ) and lactoferrin (LF) as a nutrient intervention approach against E. coli O101:K99-induced preweaning calve diarrhea. Fifty 1-d-old male Holstein calves were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 10): (1) control, (2) blank (no supplement or challenge), (3) 1 g/d LF, (4) 20 g/d SZ, or (5) 1 g/d LF plus 20 g/d SZ (LFSZ). The experimental period lasted 14 d. On the morning of d 7, calves were challenged with 1 × 1011 cfu of E. coli O101:K99, and rectum feces were collected on 3, 12, 24, and 168 h postchallenge for the control, LF, SZ, and LFSZ groups. The rectal feces of the blank group were collected on d 14. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS (version 9.4; SAS Institute Inc.). The E. coli K99 challenge decreased the average daily gain (ADG) and increased feed-to-gain ratio (F:G) and diarrhea frequency (control vs. blank). Compared with the control group, the LFSZ group had a higher ADG and lower F:G, and the LFSZ and SZ groups had lower diarrhea frequency compared with the control group. In addition, the LFSZ and SZ groups have no differences in diarrhea frequency compared with the blank group. Compared with the control group, the blank group had lower serum nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1, d-lactic acid (D-LA), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentrations, as well as serum IgG, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α levels on d 7 and 14. On d 7, compared with the control group, all treatment groups had lower serum NO level, the SZ group had a lower serum D-LA concentration, and the LF and LFSZ groups had lower serum LPS concentration. On d 14, compared with the control group, the fecal microbiota of the blank group had lower Shannon, Simpson, Chao1, and ACE indexes, the LFSZ group had lower Shannon and Simpson indexes, the SZ and LFSZ groups had a higher Chao1 index, and all treatment groups had a higher ACE index. In fecal microbiota, Bifidobacterium and Actinobacteria were negatively associated with IL-10 and d-lactate, while Akkermansia was negatively associated with endothelin-1 and positively correlated with LPS, fecal scores, and d-lactate levels. Our results indicated that LF and SZ supplements could alleviate E. coli O101:K99-induced calf diarrhea individually or in combination. Supplementing 1 g/d LF and 20 g/d SZ could be a potential nutrient intervention approach to prevent bacterial diarrhea in calves.

The Effects of Prolonged Basic Amino Acid Exposures on Mitochondrial Enzyme Gene Expressions, Metabolic Profiling and Insulin Secretions and Syntheses in Rat INS-1 ß-Cells.

In order to investigate the chronic effects of basic amino acids (BAA) on ß-cell metabolism and insulin secretion, INS-1 ß-cells were randomly assigned to cultures in standard medium (Con), standard medium plus 10 mM L-Arginine (Arg), standard medium plus 10 mM L-Histidine (His) or standard medium plus 10 mM L-Lysine (Lys) for 24 h. Results showed that insulin secretion was decreased by the Arg treatment but was increased by the His treatment relative to the Con group (p < 0.05). Higher BAA concentrations reduced the high glucose-stimulated insulin secretions (p < 0.001), but only Lys treatment increased the intracellular insulin content than that in the Con group (p < 0.05). Compared with Arg and Lys, the His treatment increased the mitochondrial key enzyme gene expressions including Cs, mt-Atp6, mt-Nd4l and Ogdh, and caused a greater change in the metabolites profiling (p < 0.05). The most significant pathways affected by Arg, His and Lys were arginine and proline metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and pyrimidine metabolism, respectively. Regression analysis screened 7 genes and 9 metabolites associated with insulin releases during BAA stimulations (p < 0.05). Together, different BAAs exerted dissimilar effects on ß-cell metabolism and insulin outputs.

Corrigendum: Evolution, ecology, and zoonotic transmission of betacoronaviruses: a review.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.644414.].

Sodium butyrate supplementation impacts the gastrointestinal bacteria of dairy calves before weaning.

The objective of this study was to systematically investigate how sodium butyrate (SB) affects the gastrointestinal bacteria in newborn calves at different stages before weaning. Forty female newborn Holstein calves (4-day-old, 40 ± 5 kg of body weight) were randomly divided into four groups; each group was supplemented with four SB doses: 0, 15, 30, and 45 g/day (ten replicates) in SB0, SB15, SB30, and SB45 groups, respectively. SB was fed with milk replacer from day 4 to day 60. Rumen fluid and feces were collected on days 2, 14, 28, 42, and 60 for 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Data were analyzed in a complete randomized design and analyzed on the online platform of Majorbio Cloud Platform. The results showed that SB significantly increased the α-diversity in feces, especially Shannon and Chao indices in SB45 and SB30 at day 60 more than in SB15 (P < 0.05). Additionally, SB significantly enhanced Firmicutes growth from day 2 to 28 and also increased Bacteroides abundance from day 28 to 42 in rumen and feces (P < 0.05). SB also significantly inhibited Proteobacteria abundance in rumen and feces during the study period (P < 0.05). SB also promoted some potential beneficial bacterial abundance, including Prevotella, Lachnospiraceae, Clostridium, Ruminococcus, and Muribaculaceae (P < 0.05). Additionally, Escherichia-Shigella abundance at SB0 was significantly lower than in the other groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study firstly reported a dynamic curve showing of the SB effects on bacteria in calves before weaning. This study provides valuable evidence for the development of the gastrointestinal tract of the calves in the early stage of the life. SB supplementation improved the gastrointestinal health by regulating the bacterial populations. KEY POINTS: • The gastrointestinal tract of calves has been improved after the SB supplementation. • Microbes were the vital influential factor in the development of calves. • Intervention before weaning is an effective strategy for calf health.

Corrigendum: Evolution, ecology, and zoonotic transmission of betacoronaviruses: A review.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.644414.].

Enhancing docosahexaenoic acid production of Schizochytrium sp. by optimizing fermentation using central composite design.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can improve human and animal health, particularly including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, neurological, and visual functions. Schizochytrium sp. is a marine heterotrophic protist producing oil with high DHA content, which is widely used in animal and food production. However, different fermentation conditions have intensive impacts on the growth and DHA content of Schizochytrium sp. Thus, this study aimed to enhance the DHA yield and concentration of Schizochytrium sp. I-F-9 by optimizing the fermentation medium. First, a single-factor design was conducted to select a target carbon and nitrogen source from several generic sources (glucose, sucrose, glycerol, maltose, corn syrup, yeast extract, urea, peptone, and ammonium sulfate). The Plackett-Burman design and the central composite design (CCD) were utilized to optimize the fermentation mediums. Schizochytrium sp. in 50-mL fermentation broth was cultured in a 250 mL shake flask at 28 °C and 200 rpm for 120 h before collecting the cell pellet. Subsequently, the cell walls were destroyed with hydrochloric acid to extract the fatty acid using n-hexane. The DHA content was detected by gas chromatography. The single-factor test indicated that glucose and peptone, respectively, significantly improved the DHA content of Schizochytrium sp. compared to the other carbon and nitrogen sources. Glucose, sodium glutamate, and sea crystal were the key factors affecting DHA production in the Plackett-Burman test (P = 0.0247). The CCD result showed that DHA production was elevated by 34.73% compared with the initial yield (from 6.18 ± 0.063 to 8.33 ± 0.052 g/L). Therefore, the results of this study demonstrated an efficient strategy to increase the yield and content of DHA of Schizochytrium sp.

Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) Fruit Powder as a Supplement to Improve Preweaning Dairy Calves' Health: Effect on Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Response, and Gut Bacterial Diversity.

Disease is the main reason for the use of antimicrobials in calf rearing, and antibiotics are commonly used to treat calves, including for unknown diseases. This leads to antimicrobial resistance, which is a challenge to the livestock industry and public health. Plant products containing high levels of phytochemicals may improve the immunity and resistance of calves against infections, thereby reducing the use of antimicrobials. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) fruit powder (PE) supplementation on antioxidant capacity and immune response of preweaning dairy calves. One hundred, 2-day-old, male Holstein calves were randomly assigned into five treatment groups receiving 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 g/d PE supplementation. Antioxidant and immune indices and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed from serum samples, whereas 16S rRNA was analyzed from rumen fluid and fecal samples. PE supplementation, at 5 g/d, protected calves against oxidative stress and improved antioxidant enzymes and immune and anti-inflammatory responses, showing its immunity-enhancing and protective roles against infections. However, the antioxidant capacity and immune response decreased with increasing PE levels, illustrating the adverse effects of PE supplementation at higher doses. The analysis of ruminal and fecal bacterial community abundance detected higher proportions of Firmicutes at an early age, and a higher Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio at weaning, in calves supplemented with 5 g/d PE. This contributed to the development of the immune system in early life, and improved immune and anti-inflammatory responses at a later age. The overall results suggest that PE could be supplemented at 5 g/d for preweaning dairy calves to protect against oxidative stress and infections while maintaining normal gut microbial hemostasis.

MRCKα is a novel regulator of prolactin-induced lactogenesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells.

Myotonic dystrophy-related Cdc42-binding kinase alpha (MRCKα) is an integral component of signaling pathways controlling vital cellular processes, including cytoskeletal reorganization, cell proliferation and cell survival. In this study, we investigated the physiological role of MRCKα in milk protein and fat production in dairy cows, which requires a dynamic and strict organization of the cytoskeletal network in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC). Within a selection of 9 Holstein cows, we found that both mRNA and protein expression of MRCKα in the mammary gland were upregulated during lactation and correlated positively (r > 0.89) with the mRNA and protein levels of ß-casein. Similar positive correlations (r > 0.79) were found in a primary culture of BMEC stimulated with prolactin for 24 h. In these cells, silencing of MRCKα decreased basal ß-casein, sterol-regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1 and cyclin D1 protein level, phosphorylation of mTOR, triglyceride secretion, cell number and viability-while overexpression of MRCKα displayed the reversed effect. Notably, silencing of MRCKα completely prevented the stimulatory action of prolactin on the same parameters. These data demonstrate that MRCKα is a critical mediator of prolactin-induced lactogenesis via stimulation of the mTOR/SREBP1/cyclin D1 signaling pathway.

Feasibility of Supplying Ruminally Protected Lysine and Methionine to Periparturient Dairy Cows on the Efficiency of Subsequent Lactation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplying ruminally protected Lys (RPL) and ruminally protected Met (RPM) to transition cows' diets on the efficiency of subsequent lactation. A total of 120 prepartum Holstein cows were assigned into four treatments blocked by the anticipated calving date, previous lactation milk yield, number of lactations, and body condition score and fed either RPL, RPM, or the combination (RPML) or control diet (CON) throughout the transition period (3 weeks before till 3 weeks after calving). From 22 to 150 days in milk (DIM), all animals (100 cows) were fed a combination of RPM and RPL (0.17% RPM and 0.41% RPL of DM; n = 25 cows/treatment) as follows; CON-RPML, RPM-RPML, RPL-RPML, and RPML-RPML. Milk production and dry matter intake (DMI) were measured daily; milk and blood samples were taken at 21, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 DIM. Supplemented amino acids (AA) were mixed with the premix and added to the total mixed ration during the experiment. DMI (p < 0.001) and energy-corrected milk (ECM, p = 0.04) were higher for cows that were fed RPML-RPML than other cows. Compared with CON-RPML, yields of milk total protein, lactose, and nitrogen efficiency were increased (p < 0.01), whereas milk urea nitrogen (MUN; p = 0.002) was decreased for other treatments. However, supplemental AA did not affect milk lactose percentage, fat yield, feed efficiency, or serum total protein concentration (p > 0.10). Transition cows that consumed AA had a greater peak of milk yield (p < 0.01), as well as quickly reached the peak of milk (p < 0.004). There were differences in ß-hydroxybutyrate concentration during the early lactation, with a lower level for AA groups (p < 0.05), and the difference faded with the progression of lactation (p > 0.10). Fertility efficiency as measured by pregnancy rate was improved by supplemental AA during the perinatal period (p < 0.05). In conclusion, transition cows consumed RPM and RPL, increased post-calving DMI, milk production, milk protein yield, nitrogen efficiency, and improved fertility performance.

Heat stress impacts the multi-domain ruminal microbiota and some of the functional features independent of its effect on feed intake in lactating dairy cows.

BACKGROUND: Heat stress (HS) affects the ruminal microbiota and decreases the lactation performance of dairy cows. Because HS decreases feed intake, the results of previous studies were confounded by the effect of HS on feed intake. This study examined the direct effect of HS on the ruminal microbiota using lactating Holstein cows that were pair-fed and housed in environmental chambers in a 2 × 2 crossover design. The cows were pair-fed the same amount of identical total mixed ration to eliminate the effect of feed or feed intake. The composition and structure of the microbiota of prokaryotes, fungi, and protozoa were analyzed using metataxonomics and compared between two thermal conditions: pair-fed thermoneutrality (PFTN, thermal humidity index: 65.5) and HS (87.2 for daytime and 81.8 for nighttime). RESULTS: The HS conditions altered the structure of the prokaryotic microbiota and the protozoal microbiota, but not the fungal microbiota. Heat stress significantly increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (primarily Gram-negative bacteria) while decreasing that of Firmicutes (primarily Gram-positive bacteria) and the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio. Some genera were exclusively found in the heat-stressed cows and thermal control cows. Some co-occurrence and mutual exclusion between some genera were also found exclusively for each thermal condition. Heat stress did not significantly affect the overall functional features predicted using the 16S rRNA gene sequences and ITS1 sequences, but some enzyme-coding genes altered their relative abundance in response to HS. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, HS affected the prokaryotes, fungi, and protozoa of the ruminal microbiota in lactating Holstein cows to a different extent, but the effect on the structure of ruminal microbiota and functional profiles was limited when not confounded by the effect on feed intake. However, some genera and co-occurrence were exclusively found in the rumen of heat-stressed cows. These effects should be attributed to the direct effect of heat stress on the host metabolism, physiology, and behavior. Some of the "heat-stress resistant" microbes may be useful as potential probiotics for cows under heat stress.

Supplementing Ruminally Protected Lysine, Methionine, or Combination Improved Milk Production in Transition Dairy Cows.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of ruminally protected lysine (RPL), or methionine (RPM), and their combination (RPML) on the production efficiency of transition cows. A total of 120 pre-partum multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to four treatments based on previous lactation milk production, days (d) of pregnancy, lactation, and body condition score (BCS). Cows were fed a basal diet [pre-calving: 1.53 Mcal/kg dry matter (DM) and post-calving: 1.70 Mcal/kg DM] with or without supplemental ruminally protected amino acids (RPAA). Treatments were the basal diets without supplemental amino acids (CONTROL, n = 30), with supplemental methionine (RPM, pre-calving at 0.16% of DM and post-calving at 0.12% of DM, n = 30), with supplemental lysine (RPL, pre-calving at 0.33% of DM and post-calving at 0.24% DM, n = 30), and the combination (RPML, pre-calving at 0.16% RPM + 0.33% RPL of DM and post-calving at 0.12% RPM + 0.24 % RPL DM, n = 30). The dietary content of lysine was balanced to be within 6.157.2% metabolizable protein (MP)-lysine and that of methionine was balanced within 2.1-2.35% MP-methionine. Dry matter intake (DMI) was measured daily. Milk samples were taken on d 7, 14, and 21 days relative to calving (DRC), and milk yields were measured daily. Blood samples were taken on d -21, -14, -7 before expected calving and d 0, 7, 14, and 21 DRC. Data were analyzed using SAS software. There were significant Trt × time interactions (P < 0.01) for DMI pre- and post-calving period. The CON cows had lower DMI than RPM, RPL, and RPML, both pre-calving (P < 0.01) and post-calving periods (P < 0.01). Energy-corrected milk (P < 0.01), milk fat (P < 0.01), protein (P = 0.02), and lactose (P < 0.01) percentage levels were greater for RPM, RPL, and RPML cows compared to CON. Supplementing RPAA assisted in maintaining BCS post-calving than CON (P < 0.01). Blood concentrations of ß-hydroxybutyrate decreased with RPM or RPL or the combination pre-calving (P < 0.01) and tended to decrease post-calving (P = 0.10). These results demonstrated that feeding RPL and RPM improved DMI and milk production efficiency, maintained BCS, and reduced ß-hydroxybutyrate concentrations of transition cows.

Integration of Multiplied Omics, a Step Forward in Systematic Dairy Research.

Due to their unique multi-gastric digestion system highly adapted for rumination, dairy livestock has complicated physiology different from monogastric animals. However, the microbiome-based mechanism of the digestion system is congenial for biology approaches. Different omics and their integration have been widely applied in the dairy sciences since the previous decade for investigating their physiology, pathology, and the development of feed and management protocols. The rumen microbiome can digest dietary components into utilizable sugars, proteins, and volatile fatty acids, contributing to the energy intake and feed efficiency of dairy animals, which has become one target of the basis for omics applications in dairy science. Rumen, liver, and mammary gland are also frequently targeted in omics because of their crucial impact on dairy animals' energy metabolism, production performance, and health status. The application of omics has made outstanding contributions to a more profound understanding of the physiology, etiology, and optimizing the management strategy of dairy animals, while the multi-omics method could draw information of different levels and organs together, providing an unprecedented broad scope on traits of dairy animals. This article reviewed recent omics and multi-omics researches on physiology, feeding, and pathology on dairy animals and also performed the potential of multi-omics on systematic dairy research.

Fresh Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) Fruit Supplementation Enhances Milk Fatty Acid Profiles and the Antioxidant Capacities of Milk and Blood in Dairy Cows.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a diet supplemented with fresh amla fruit as a natural feed additive on blood metabolic parameters, milk antioxidant capacity, and milk fatty acid (FA) proportions in lactating dairy cows. Eight ruminally cannulated mid-lactation dairy cows were used in a repeated crossover design. The first group of four cows received total mixed ration (TMR) feed without fresh amla fruit (control group). The remaining four cows sequentially supplemented fresh amla fruit (FAF) at three levels (200, 400, then 600 g/d) (treatment group) at 14-day intervals. In second period, control and treatment groups were exchanged. The first ten days were adjusted to diet adaptation for each sub-period, and the last four days for sampling milk and blood. A total of 514 metabolites were detected from FAF using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The five main metabolites in FAF were phenolic acids (22%), flavonoids (20%), lipids (20%), amino acids and derivatives (9%), and tannins (7%). Amla fruit supplementation reduced total saturated fatty acid and the omega-6/omega-3 ratio at 200 or 400 g/d FAF dose compared to controls. In addition, amla fruit increased unsaturated FA, such as C20:5 (Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) and C22:6 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), and branched-chain FA in a dose-dependent manner at 200 or 400 g/d compared to controls. In addition, amla fruit increased the antioxidant capacity biomarkers in the blood, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and albumin; this confirms that amla fruit is an excellent antioxidant, inhibiting reactive oxygen species' (ROS) metabolism, and can thereby protect cells from oxidative stress. Moreover, the most remarkable improvement of ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in milk was recorded at 400 g/d FAF doses compared to controls. Therefore, fresh amla fruit doses for lactating cows at 400 g/d on an as-fed basis can be used as an alternative additive feed in dairy cow diets to improve antioxidant capacity, protein efficiency, butter quality, and to produce more desirable milk fatty acid profiles for human consumption.