Epidemiology of bovine colostrum production in New York Holstein herds: Prepartum nutrition and metabolic indicators.

Colostrum yield and quality are influenced by prepartum nutrition and the metabolic status of the cow; however, data considering these associations on multiple dairy farms are limited. Our objective was to identify cow-level prepartum metabolic indicators, as well as farm-level nutritional strategies associated with colostrum yield and the indicator of colostrum quality, Brix %. A convenience sample of 19 New York Holstein dairies (median: 1,325 cows; range: 620 to 4,600 cows) were enrolled in this observational study. Records for individual colostrum yield and Brix % were collected by farm personnel between October 2019 and February 2021. Farms were visited 4 times, approximately 3 mo apart, to obtain feed samples of the prepartum diets, collect blood samples from 24 pre- and postpartum cows, respectively, and determine prepartum body condition score. Feed samples were submitted for analysis of chemical composition, and particle size was determined on-farm using a particle separator. Prepartum serum samples (n = 762) were analyzed for glucose and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations. Whole blood from postpartum cows was analyzed for herd prevalence of hyperketonemia (proportion of samples with ß-hydroxybutyrate ≥1.2 mmol/L). A cohort of primiparous (PP; n = 1,337) and multiparous (MPS; n = 3,059) cows calving ± 14 d of each farm visit were included in the statistical analysis. Animals calving in this period were assigned results for the close-up diet composition and herd prevalence of hyperketonemia collected from the respective farm visit. Greatest colostrum yield from PP and MPS cows was associated with moderate starch [18.6-22.5% of dry matter (DM)] and a moderate herd prevalence of hyperketonemia (10.1-15.0%). Greatest colostrum yield from MPS cows was associated with moderate crude protein (13.6-15.5% of DM) and a less severe negative dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD; >-8 mEq/100 g), whereas greatest colostrum yield from PP cows was associated with low crude protein (≤13.5% of DM). In addition, a moderate proportion of the diet with particle length ≥19 mm (15.3-19.1%) was associated with lowest colostrum yield from PP and MPS cows. Highest colostrum Brix % was associated with prepartum dietary factors of low neutral detergent fiber (≤39.0% of DM) and high proportion of the diet with particle length ≥19 mm (>19.1%). In addition, low starch (≤18.5% of DM) and low and moderate DCAD level (≥-15.9 mEq/100 g) were associated with greatest Brix % from PP cows, whereas moderate DCAD (-15.9 to -8.0 mEq/100 g) was associated with greatest Brix % from MPS cows. Prepartum serum nonesterified fatty acid concentration ≥290 µEq/L was associated with increased colostrum yield, but prepartum serum glucose concentration and body condition score were not associated with colostrum yield or Brix %. These data provide nutritional and metabolic variables to consider when troubleshooting colostrum production on farms.

Leukocytes, microRNA, and complement activity in raw, heat-treated, and frozen colostrum and their dynamics as colostrum transitions to mature milk in dairy cows.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the abundance and viability of leukocytes, the abundance of microRNA, and the activity of the complement pathway in (1) colostrum following heat-treatment or freezing, and (2) colostrum, transition milk, and mature milk. In experiment 1, composite colostrum samples were harvested from individual cows (n = 14) on a commercial dairy farm in NY and split into 3 aliquots using single-use colostrum bags. One aliquot was immediately cooled on ice following harvest (RAW) and stored at 4°C overnight, one was heat-treated for 60 min at 60°C (HT) before being cooled on ice and stored at 4°C overnight, and one was frozen at -20°C overnight (FR). The following morning, all samples were warmed to 40°C before further processing. In experiment 2, cows were sampled in a longitudinal study where composite samples were collected from colostrum (first milking, n = 23), transition milk (3 to 4 d postpartum, n = 13), and mature milk (6 to 7 d postpartum, n = 13). In both experiments colostrum was harvested from the first milking within 8 h of calving and samples were processed within 14 h of collection. Colostral leukocytes were isolated before viability was determined by trypan blue exclusion and manual differential cell counts were performed. Extracellular vesicles were isolated from whey by ultracentrifugation to isolate and quantify microRNA. Activity of the alternative complement pathway was determined in casein-depleted whey by semi-solid phase hemolysis assay. Somatic cell counts were determined for all raw samples. Macrophages and neutrophils made up the greatest proportion of leukocytes in colostrum followed by lymphocytes. Lymphocyte proportion increased as colostrum transitioned to mature milk, but overall somatic cell numbers declined concurrently. Viable cells were not isolated from HT or FR samples. Abundance of microRNA isolated from transition and mature milk was decreased compared with colostrum, did not differ between HT and RAW, but was increased in FR compared with RAW. Alternative complement pathway activity was decreased in HT, but not FR compared with RAW, and was not measurable in transition or mature milk. Postharvest heat-treatment and freezing of colostrum eliminated viable colostral leukocytes and affected microRNA abundance and complement activity. Leukocyte proportions, microRNA abundance, and complement activity changed as colostrum transitioned to mature milk. Although there were clear changes in the colostral components under study in relation to treatment and transition to mature milk, the biological significance of the described treatment effects and temporal changes were not investigated here.

Epidemiology of bovine colostrum production in New York Holstein herds: Cow, management, and environmental factors.

Adequate supply of high-quality colostrum is essential for calf health. Colostrum production, at first milking, varies between animals and seasons, but herd-level and management associations with colostrum production have not been well described. Our objectives were to (1) describe colostrum production and colostrum handling practices and (2) to identify individual cow, herd management, and environmental factors associated with colostrum production. A convenience sample of 19 New York Holstein dairy farms (620 to 4,600 cows) were enrolled in this observational study to describe colostrum production and to evaluate cow, management, and prepartum environmental factors associated with colostrum yield and Brix %. Herd owners or managers were given a colostrum management questionnaire, and farm personnel recorded individual colostrum yield and Brix % for primiparous (PP; n = 5,978) and multiparous (MPS; n = 13,228) cows between October 2019 and February 2021. Temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity were measured by sensors placed in each farm's close-up dry cow pens for the entire length of the study. Median colostrum yield for each farm ranged from 2.5 to 7.6 kg for PP and 4.0 to 7.7 kg for MPS cows. Mean Brix % from each farm ranged from 22.2 to 27.9% for PP and 22.0 to 28.8% for MPS cows. Lowest colostrum yield from PP animals was associated with calf sex (female) and colostrum Brix % (≤22%). Greatest colostrum yield from MPS cows was associated with colostrum Brix % (≤22%), calf sex (twin), dry period length (>67 d), gestation length (283-293 d), an alive calf, second parity, previous lactation length (>344 d) and previous lactation 305-d mature equivalent milk yield (>13,091 kg), heat and humidity exposure area under the curve (AUC) 7 d before calving (>69.2 average temperature-humidity index per 30-min interval), and light intensity AUC 14 d before calving (>154.2 average lux per 15-min interval). Greatest colostrum Brix % from PP animals was associated with calf sex (male), an alive calf, and light intensity AUC 14 d before calving (≤64.0 average lux per 15-min interval). Greatest colostrum Brix % from MPS cows was associated with dry period length (>67 d), an alive calf, 305-d mature equivalent milk yield of previous lactation (≤15,862 kg), gestation length (274-282 d), colostrum yield (<6 kg), fifth or greater parity, and heat and humidity exposure AUC 7 d before calving (≤50.1 average temperature-humidity index per 30-min interval). Dairy producers can use this information to recognize the variation in colostrum production and alter colostrum management programs in anticipation of periods of low production or quality.

Hepatic effects of rumen-protected branched-chain amino acids with or without propylene glycol supplementation in dairy cows during early lactation.

Essential amino acids (EAA) are critical for multiple physiological processes. Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation provides energy substrates, promotes protein synthesis, and stimulates insulin secretion in rodents and humans. Most dairy cows face a protein and energy deficit during the first weeks postpartum and utilize body reserves to counteract this shortage. The objective was to evaluate the effect of rumen-protected BCAA (RP-BCAA; 375 g of 27% l-leucine, 85 g of 48% l-isoleucine, and 91 g of 67% l-valine) with or without oral propylene glycol (PG) administration on markers of liver health status, concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in plasma, and liver triglycerides (TG) during the early postpartum period in dairy cows. Multiparous Holstein cows were enrolled in blocks of 3 and randomly assigned to either the control group or 1 of the 2 treatments from calving until 35 d postpartum. The control group (n = 16) received 200 g of dry molasses per cow/d; the RP-BCAA group (n = 14) received RP-BCAA mixed with 200 g of dry molasses per cow/d; the RP-BCAA plus PG (RP-BCAAPG) group (n = 16) received RP-BCAA mixed with 200 g of dry molasses per cow/d, plus 300 mL of PG, once daily from calving until 7 d in milk (DIM). The RP-BCAA and RP-BCAAGP groups, on average (± standard deviation), were predicted to receive a greater supply of metabolizable protein in the form of l-Leu 27.4 ± 3.5 g/d, l-Ile 15.2 ± 1.8 g/d, and l-Val 24.2 ± 2.4 g/d compared with the control cows. Liver biopsies were collected at d 9 ± 4 prepartum and at 5 ± 1 and 21 ± 1 DIM. Blood was sampled 3 times per week from calving until 21 DIM. Milk yield, dry matter intake, NEFA, BHB, EAA blood concentration, serum chemistry, insulin, glucagon, and liver TG and protein abundance of total and phosphorylated branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase E1α (p-BCKDH-E1α) were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Cows in the RP-BCAA and RP-BCAAPG groups had lower liver TG and lower activities of aspartate aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase during the first 21 DIM, compared with control. All cows, regardless of treatment, showed an upregulation of p-BCKDH-E1α at d 5 postpartum, compared with levels at 21 d postpartum. Insulin, Met, and Glu blood concentration were greater in RP-BCAA and RP-BCAAPG compared with control during the first 35 DIM. Therefore, the use of RP-BCAA in combination with PG might be a feasible option to reduce hepatic lipidosis in dairy cows during early lactation.

Heat treatment of bovine colostrum: effects on colostrum metabolome and serum metabolome of calves.

Bovine colostrum is important for neonates' health due to its nutritive and non-nutritive components. Heat treatment of colostrum is a well-established management tool, but it may influence colostrum components and affect the health status of calves. In our previous studies, we had shown that colostrum proteome and serum proteome of calves were altered by heat treatment to different degrees. Our objectives in this study were to investigate the effects of heat treatment on colostrum metabolome and the effect of feeding heat-treated colostrum on the serum metabolome of newborn calves. Further, the changes in serum metabolome from before to after colostrum feeding were characterized. Newborn Holstein female calves (n = 10) were randomized within pairs and fed heat-treated (n = 5; 60 °C, 60 min) or raw (n = 5) colostrum at 8.5% of birth BW by esophageal feeder within 1 h of birth. After a single colostrum feeding, calves were not fed until after the 8 h time point. Blood samples were taken immediately prior to feeding (0 h) and 8 h after feeding. The colostrum and serum metabolome were first analyzed using reverse-phase chromatography and tandem MS, and serum metabolome was then further analyzed using hydrophilic interaction chromatography and tandem MS. In colostrum metabolome, 458 features were identified and 328 were annotated and a trend of separation between raw and heat-treated colostrum could be observed through multivariate analysis. In serum metabolome, 3 360 features were identified and 1 439 were annotated, but no trend of separation was observed between the two groups of calves fed raw colostrum vs. heat-treated colostrum. The serum metabolome presented substantial differences comparing before (0 h) and after colostrum feeding (8 h); in particular, a tripeptide, ß-homovaline-ß-homoalanine-ß-homoleucine, and 1-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-1D-myo-inositol had higher concentrations after colostrum feeding than before, along with other metabolites that were not fully annotated. Based on a relatively small sample size, our findings point to the effect of heat treatment on the change of colostrum metabolome, but not on the change of serum metabolome of calves fed raw colostrum vs. heat-treated colostrum. Further studies using larger sample size and complementary analytical techniques are warranted to further explore potential heat treatment-induced alterations in colostrum metabolome.

Longitudinal effects of enrofloxacin or tulathromycin use in preweaned calves at high risk of bovine respiratory disease on the shedding of antimicrobial-resistant fecal Escherichia coli.

The objective of this study was to longitudinally quantify Escherichia coli resistant to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone in calves treated with enrofloxacin or tulathromycin for the control of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Dairy calves 2 to 3 wk of age not presenting clinical signs of pneumonia and at high risk of developing BRD were randomly enrolled in 1 of 3 groups receiving the following treatments: (1) single label dose of enrofloxacin (ENR); (2) single label dose of tulathromycin (TUL); or (3) no antimicrobial treatment (control, CTL). Fecal samples were collected immediately before administration of treatment and at d 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 56, and 112 d after beginning treatment. Samples were used for qualification of E. coli using a selective hydrophobic grid membrane filter (HGMF) master grid. The ENR group had a significantly higher proportion of E. coli resistant to ciprofloxacin compared with CTL and TUL at time points 2, 4, and 7. At time point 28, a significantly higher proportion of E. coli resistant to ciprofloxacin was observed only compared with CTL. The TUL group had a significantly higher proportion of E. coli resistant to ciprofloxacin compared with CTL at time points 2, 4, and 7. None of the treatment groups resulted in a significantly higher proportion of E. coli isolates resistant to ceftriaxone. Our study identified that treatment of calves at high risk of developing BRB with either enrofloxacin or tulathromycin resulted in a consistently higher proportion of ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli in fecal samples.

Heat treatment of bovine colostrum: II. Effects on calf serum immunoglobulin, insulin, and IGF-I concentrations, and the serum proteome.

In-depth analysis of colostrum components has identified hundreds of proteins, but data are sparse regarding their systemic uptake in the newborn calf. Moreover, heat treatment may influence these colostral components and their absorption. Our objectives were to describe the serum proteome of newborn calves before and after colostrum feeding and the possible effects of colostral heat treatment. Newborn Holstein heifer calves (n = 22) were randomized within pair and fed heat-treated (n = 11; 60°C, 60 min) or raw (n = 11) colostrum at 8.5% of birth body weight by esophageal feeder within 1 h of birth. After the single colostrum feeding, calves were not fed until after the 8-h time point, when milk was offered free-choice. Blood samples were taken immediately before feeding (0 h), as well as 4, 8, and 24 h after feeding. Whole blood packed cell volume (%), serum Brix percentage, and plasma glucose concentrations were determined for all time points. Plasma insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay for selected time points. Serum IgA and IgG were measured by radial immunodiffusion at 24 h. The serum proteome was analyzed using nano-scale reverse-phase chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (nano LC-MS/MS) in 0- and 8-h samples. For proteomics analysis, ratios of results for 8-h to 0-h samples were analyzed with false discovery rate adjustment. For all other outcomes, repeated-measures ANOVA was performed with the fixed effects of group, time, and their interaction, and random effect of pair. Serum Brix percentage and glucose concentrations increased over time and were independent of colostrum treatment. Serum IgG and IgA concentrations at 24 h did not differ between groups. Nano LC-MS/MS identified a total of 663 unique proteins in serum, of which 261 increased in abundance, whereas 67 decreased in abundance after feeding in both groups. Among serum proteins that increased in abundance and that were previously identified in colostrum, many belonged to those involved in immune response, coagulation, the classical complement pathway, or the antimicrobial peptide class of cathelicidins. Serum proteins that decreased in abundance and that were identified in colostrum belonged to the alternative complement pathway and the membrane attack complex. Thirty-eight proteins differed in calves that were fed heat-treated colostrum compared with those fed raw colostrum. Decreased abundances in calves fed heat-treated colostrum included several enzymes involved in glycolysis or glycogenolysis, whereas the incretin gastric inhibitory polypeptide and serum insulin were increased in this group. Our findings point to important innate immune defense pathways associated with colostrum ingestion in newborn calves. Furthermore, calves fed heat-treated colostrum showed differences in serum proteins and enzymes associated with carbohydrate metabolism.

Heat treatment of bovine colostrum: I. Effects on bacterial and somatic cell counts, immunoglobulin, insulin, and IGF-I concentrations, as well as the colostrum proteome.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of heat treatment on colostral low-abundant proteins, IgG and IgA, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), as well as bacteria and somatic cells. First-milking colostrum samples >8 L and Brix % > 22.0 were harvested from 11 Holstein cows on a commercial dairy in New York State and split into 2 aliquots using single-use colostrum bags. One aliquot of each pair was cooled on ice immediately after harvest (raw, R; n = 11), and the other was heat-treated for 60 min at 60°C (heat, H; n = 11). All samples were analyzed for IgG and IgA via radial immunodiffusion assay and insulin and IGF-I concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Total bacterial counts and somatic cell counts (SCC) were determined using standard plate culture techniques and flow cytometry, respectively. Samples from a subset of 5 pairs (n = 10) were further analyzed by nano liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy, after ultracentrifugation at 100,000 × g for 60 min at 4°C to enrich the low-abundant protein whey fraction. Data were analyzed using either paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test or using an online software package to analyze proteomics data. Outcomes of proteomics analysis were fold change ≥1.5 between pairs, and paired t-tests with false discovery rate-adjusted P-value < 0.05. The median reduction of IgA concentrations was 8.5% (range: 0-38.0%) due to heat treatment, whereas IgG concentrations did not change due to treatment. Insulin concentrations decreased by a median of 22% (7-45%), and IGF-I decreased by 10% (0-18%) in H samples. Heat treatment was associated with a median reduction of SCC of 36% (0-90%) in paired samples, as well as a median reduction in total bacterial count of 93% (45-100%) in H versus R samples. Proteomics analysis identified a total of 328 unique proteins that were present in all 10 samples. Nine of the 25 proteins that decreased by at least 1.5-fold in H compared with R were identified as complement proteins. We conclude that heat treatment of colostrum is associated with a reduction in the concentration of bacterial counts and SCC, IgA, insulin, and IGF-I. In addition, proteomics analysis of colostral whey identified several complement components and other proteins that decreased in abundance due to heat treatment. Although IgG concentrations were unaffected and a reduction in bacterial counts was achieved, the change in several immunologically active proteins and growth factors may have biologically important effects on the developing immune system of the neonate fed heat-treated colostrum.

Effect of rumen-protected branched-chain amino acid supplementation on production- and energy-related metabolites during the first 35 days in milk in Holstein dairy cows.

Essential AA are critical for multiple physiological processes. Branched-chain AA (BCAA) supplementation has beneficial effects on body weight, lipogenesis, and insulin resistance in several species. The BCAA are used for milk and body protein synthesis as well as being oxidized by the tricarboxylic acid cycle to produce ATP during catabolic states. The objective was to evaluate the effect of rumen-protected BCAA (375 g of 27% l-Leu, 85 g of 48% l-Ile, and 91 g of 67% l-Val) with or without propylene glycol (PG) oral administration on milk production, dry matter intake, nonesterified fatty acids, ß-hydroxybutyrate, and plasma urea nitrogen during the first 35 d in milk (DIM) in dairy cattle. Multiparous Holstein cows were enrolled in blocks of three 28 d before expected calving and assigned randomly to either the control or 1 of 2 treatments. The control (n = 26) received 200 g/d of dry molasses, the BCAA treatment (n = 23) received BCAA mixed with 200 g/d of dry molasses from calving until 35 DIM, and the BCAA plus PG (BCAAPG) treatment (n = 25) received BCAA mixed with 200 g/d of dry molasses from calving until 35 DIM plus 300 mL of PG once daily from calving until 7 DIM. Postpartum, dry matter intake least squares means (LSM; 95% confidence interval) were 20.7 (19.9, 21.7), 21.3 (20.4, 22.3), and 21.9 (20.9, 22.8) kg for control, BCAA, and BCAAPG, respectively. Milk yield (1-35 DIM) LSM were 41.7 (39.4, 44.0), 42.7 (40.3, 45.0), and 43.7 (41.4, 46.0) kg for control, BCAA, and BCAAPG, respectively. Energy-corrected milk LSM were 50.3 (46.8, 53.7), 52.4 (48.9, 55.8), and 52.9 (49.5, 56.4) kg for control, BCAA, and BCAAPG, respectively. Milk urea nitrogen LSM in milk for control, BCAA, and BCAAPG were 8.60 (8.02, 9.22), 9.70 (9.01, 10.45), and 9.75 (9.08, 10.47) mg/dL. Plasma urea nitrogen concentrations LSM for control, BCAA, and BCAAPG were 8.3 (7.7, 8.9), 10.1 (9.4, 10.9), and 9.6 (9.4, 10.3) mg/dL, respectively. The numbers of plasma samples classified as hyperketonemia were 77, 44, and 57 in control, BCAA, and BCAAPG, respectively. The BCAA supplementation increased plasma urea nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen, free valine concentration in plasma, and decreased hyperketonemia events during the postpartum period.

Effect of dry period dietary energy level in dairy cattle on volume, concentrations of immunoglobulin G, insulin, and fatty acid composition of colostrum.

The objective was to investigate the effect of different dry cow feeding strategies on the volume, concentration of IgG and insulin, as well as fatty acid composition of colostrum. Our hypothesis was that different dry period diets formulated to resemble current feeding practices on commercial dairy farms and differing in plane of energy would have an effect on IgG and insulin concentration, as well as composition of fatty acid of colostrum. Animals (n=84) entering parity 2 or greater were dried off 57 d before expected parturition and fed either a diet formulated to meet, but not greatly exceed energy requirements throughout the dry period (CON), or a higher energy density diet, supplying approximately 150% of energy requirements (HI). A third group received the same diet as group CON from dry-off until 29 d before expected parturition. After this time point, from 28 d before expected parturition until calving, they received a diet formulated to supply approximately 125% of energy requirements (I-med). Concentration of IgG and insulin in colostrum were measured by radial immunodiffusion and RIA, respectively. Composition of fatty acids was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. The IgG concentration was highest in colostrum of cows in group CON [96.1 (95% CI: 83.3-108.9) g/L] and lowest in group HI [72.4 (60.3-84.5) g/L], whereas insulin concentration was highest in group HI [1,105 (960-1,250) µU/mL] and lowest in group CON [853 (700-1,007) µU/mL]. Colostrum yield did not differ between treatments and was 5.9 (4.5-7.4), 7.0 (5.6-8.4), and 7.3 (5.9-8.7) kg in groups CON, I-med, and HI, respectively. A multivariable linear regression model showed the effect of dietary treatment group on IgG concentration was independent of the effect of dry matter. Cows in groups CON, I-med, and HI had an average colostral fat percentage of 5.0 (4.1-5.9), 5.6 (4.8-6.4), and 6.0 (5.2-6.8) and an average fat yield of 289 (196-380), 406 (318-495), and 384 (295-473) g, respectively. Colostrum of cows fed to exceed predicted energy requirements during the last 4 wk of the dry period (groups I-med and HI) exhibited a higher concentration and yield of de novo fatty acid and lower concentrations but similar yield of preformed fatty acid compared with cows in group CON. Feeding a controlled energy diet during the dry period increased colostral IgG concentration in this study, whereas overall colostrum yield was not affected. Exceeding energy requirements during the period of colostrogenesis led to higher concentrations of insulin and de novo fatty acid in colostrum.

Short communication: Folates and vitamin B12 in colostrum and milk from dairy cows fed different energy levels during the dry period.

This study was undertaken to evaluate folate and vitamin B12 concentrations of colostrum and milk in early lactation of dairy cows fed different levels of energy during the dry period. A total of 84 multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to one of the following dietary treatments fed as a total mixed ration 57 d before the expected calving date: (1) high-energy one-group dry cow diet [1.35 Mcal of net energy for maintenance/kg of dry matter (DM); 56% corn silage, 12% wheat straw, and 32% concentrate mix on a daily DM basis]; (2) controlled-energy one-group dry cow diet (1.14 Mcal of net energy for maintenance/kg of DM; 29% corn silage, 36% wheat straw, and 35% concentrate mix on a daily DM basis); or (3) an intermediate step-up diet (controlled-energy diet from dry off until 29 d before the expected calving date and then switching to a diet representing a 50:50 blend of the controlled- and high-energy diets from 28 d before expected calving date until parturition; 1.24 Mcal of net energy for maintenance/kg of DM). After calving, all cows were fed the same diet served as a total mixed ration (44% corn silage, 14% grass silage, and 42% concentrate mix on a daily DM basis) until 42 d in milk (DIM). Colostrum samples were taken at the first milking after parturition and milk samples were taken during the morning milking at 11 and 39±2 DIM. Colostrum from the first milking and milk yields were weighed on the day of sampling. Colostrum yield from the first milking postpartum and milk yields at 11 and 39 DIM were unaffected by treatments. Colostrum yield averaged 6.8±0.7mg at the first milking postpartum, whereas milk yields at 11 and 39 DIM were, on average, 40.3±1.5 and 48.9±1.3mg/d, respectively. Folate concentrations in colostrum and milk were not different among treatments. Folate concentration of colostrum (440.3±18.8ng/mL) was higher than folate concentration in milk at 11 (93.7±3.0ng/mL) and at 39 DIM (78.4±2.6ng/mL). Vitamin B12 concentration in colostrum was higher for controlled-energy cows (31.7±1.4ng/mL) than intermediate cows (23.5±1.4ng/mL), whereas no treatment effect was noted for vitamin B12 concentration in milk. At 11 and 39 DIM, milk concentrations of vitamin B12 averaged 3.8 and 3.2±1.4ng/mL, respectively. In summary, results suggest that dietary change during the dry period could modify vitamin B12 concentration in colostrum, but had no effect on milk concentration of folates and vitamin B12 during early lactation.

[Continuous local wound infusion with local anesthetics : For thoracotomy and major abdominal interventions]. / Kontinuierliche lokale Wundinfusion mit Lokalanästhetika : Bei Thorakotomien und großen abdominellen Eingriffen.

Wound infusion with local anesthetics is a nearly 100 years old proven and secure analgesic method. Recently special wound infusion catheters have become available which can be placed intraoperatively into the wound under direct supervision of the surgeon to infuse local anesthetics and optimize postoperative analgesia. For thoracotomy this method was modified to improve its efficacy and the catheters are used to establish a continuous paravertebral intercostal nerve block (PVB). Many studies have confirmed the analgesic power of PVB which results in a pain reduction comparable to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) but without TEA-specific side-effects, in particular hypotension. The efficacy of continuous local wound infusion (CLWI) is less obvious for laparotomy. If fundamental preconditions for this loco-regional method are considered (indications, choice of catheter, local anesthetic dose) the laparotomy wound could also be suitable for the use of CLWI. According to the literature currently available CLWI is not associated with an increased risk of wound infections.

Use of medications by people with chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy persons: a population-based study of fatiguing illness in Georgia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating condition of unknown etiology and no definitive pharmacotherapy. Patients are usually prescribed symptomatic treatment or self-medicate. We evaluated prescription and non-prescription drug use among persons with CFS in Georgia and compared it to that in non-fatigued Well controls and also to chronically Unwell individuals not fully meeting criteria for CFS. METHODS: A population-based, case-control study. To identify persons with possible CFS-like illness and controls, we conducted a random-digit dialing telephone screening of 19,807 Georgia residents, followed by a detailed telephone interview of 5,630 to identify subjects with CFS-like illness, other chronically Unwell, and Well subjects. All those with CFS-like illness (n = 469), a random sample of chronically Unwell subjects (n = 505), and Well individuals (n = 641) who were age-, sex-, race-, and geographically matched to those with CFS-like illness were invited for a clinical evaluation and 783 participated (48% overall response rate). Clinical evaluation identified 113 persons with CFS, 264 Unwell subjects with insufficient symptoms for CFS (named ISF), and 124 Well controls; the remaining 280 subjects had exclusionary medical or psychiatric conditions, and 2 subjects could not be classified. Subjects were asked to bring all medications taken in the past 2 weeks to the clinic where a research nurse viewed and recorded the name and the dose of each medication. RESULTS: More than 90% of persons with CFS used at least one drug or supplement within the preceding two weeks. Among users, people with CFS used an average of 5.8 drugs or supplements, compared to 4.1 by ISF and 3.7 by Well controls. Persons with CFS were significantly more likely to use antidepressants, sedatives, muscle relaxants, and anti-acids than either Well controls or the ISF group. In addition, persons with CFS were significantly more likely to use pain-relievers, anti-histamines and cold/sinus medications than were Well controls. CONCLUSION: Medical care providers of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome should be aware of polypharmacy as a problem in such patients, and the related potential iatrogenic effects and drug interactions.

Alterations of vitamin D3 metabolism in young women with various grades of chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: There are still too few conclusive reports about conspicuous vitamin D-deficiency in young female patients with chronic pancreatitis, or any connection of the deficiency to the severity of the disease. Therefore the aim of this study was to examine marker of vitamin D3 metabolism in female patients with episode of biliary pancreatitis to determine if increased severity of the disease would correlate with impaired vitamin D3 metabolism. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2003, we investigated 53 premenopausal patients with an average age of approximately 33 years suffering from an episode of chronic pancreatitis, as well as 30 female healthy controls with an average age of 32.4 years. The severity of chronic pancreatitis in patients was determined via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) and assigned to 1 of 3 grades based on the Cambridge classification. Additional parameter assessed were demographics, smoking, consumption of alcohol and CD-transferrin, fasting metabolic parameters, biochemical markers of vitamin D3 metabolism and fecal elastase 1. None of the patients received hormone replacement therapy, Vitamin D or Calcium-supplementation. RESULTS: The serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH2)D] were significantly reduced compared to female healthy controls. Fecal elastase 1 correlated with this classification of severity of chronic pancreatitis (p < 0.01). Furthermore, fecal elastase 1 of patients correlated the same way with both D-vitamins (p <0.01). The level of both D3 vitamins in patients were significantly lowered when the content of fecal elastase 1 was under 200 microg/g compared to the others [for 1,25-(OH2)D3 p < 0.01; 25-OH- D3 p < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Premenopausal patients with chronic pancreatitis are at risk of developing decreased levels of 1,25(OH2)D3. This fact may contribute to a negative calcium balance and alteration of bone metabolism. Therefore, ERCP and fecal elastase 1 verify the severity grade of a chronic pancreatitis, and thus show a vitamin D3 deficiency in young women, depending on the progress of disease.

Emotional labour and stress within mental health nursing.

For many within the nursing profession, the work role involves a great deal of emotional work or 'emotional labour'. Such emotional work can be performed through 'surface acting' in which the individual simply feigns an appropriate emotion, or through 'deep acting' in which they actually try to feel the required emotion. The current study aims to aid understanding of the complex relationship between components of emotional labour and stress within the mental health nursing sector. Thirty-five mental health nurses completed questionnaires relating to a total of 122 nurse-patient interactions. Data were collected in relation to: (1) the duration and intensity of the interaction; (2) the variety of emotions expressed; (3) the degree of surface or deep acting the nurse performed; and (4) the perceived level of stress the interaction involved. Nurses also completed Daily Stress Indicators. Results suggest that: (1) emotional labour is positively correlated with both 'interaction stress' and daily stress levels; (2) the deeper the intensity of interactions and the more variety of emotions experienced, the more emotional labour was reported; and (3) surface acting was a more important predictor of emotional labour than deep acting. Implications for mental health nurses are outlined.

Safety evaluation of functional ingredients.

Functional ingredients are a diverse group of compounds that are intended to produce a positive effect on the health of the consumer. The term "functional" is not meant to differentiate these ingredients from other ingredients historically consumed as part of the food supply that are indeed biologically active constituents, for example, nutrients. Indeed, all foods should be considered "functional". The term functional ingredient is meant to convey the function of these new ingredients, which is to produce a positive health outcome via physiological activity in the body. Functional ingredients encompass elements of drugs, nutrients and food additives. A framework for evaluation of the safety of functional ingredients utilizes an understanding of both the current regulatory frameworks in place as well as the characteristics that define these particular ingredients. The types of studies conducted and the data generated to support safety of functional ingredients is product-specific and can include compositional analysis, structure/toxicity analysis, evaluation of historical and intended exposure, animal studies, clinical/epidemiologic studies, and evaluation of special considerations such as potential for adverse food or drug interactions.

Iron and energy supplementation improves the physical work capacity of female college students.

A nutritionally controlled study was conducted on two groups of 15 female college students aged 16 to 20 years, selected from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. The girls were either anemic (hemoglobin 7.7 g/dl) but energy adequate (AEA), or anemic (hemoglobin 7.4 g/dl) and energy deficient (AED). The AEA group was given iron supplementation (60 mg iron/day) for 6 to 9 months along with 100 mg of ascorbic acid, and the AED group was given iron as well as energy supplementation for 3 months. There was a significant (p < .01) increase in weight, body mass index, mid-upper-arm circumference, and body fat in the AED group after iron-energy supplementation. Hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, total iron-binding capacity, and unsaturated iron-binding capacity were below normal in both groups; however, after iron and iron-energy supplementation, there was a significant (p < .01) increase, and these indices were in the normal range. There was a significant (p < .01) increase in exercise time and maximum work load tolerance after iron and iron-energy supplementation. Combined energy and iron deficiency had a greater adverse effect on physical work capacity than energy or iron deficiency alone.

Acute hepatitis induced by Shou-Wu-Pian, a herbal product derived from Polygonum multiflorum.

Herbal preparations are widely available and generally regarded by the public as harmless remedies for a variety of medical ailments. We report the first case in Australia of acute hepatitis associated with the Chinese herbal medicine Shou-Wu-Pian, prepared from Polygonum multiflorum. Cholestatic hepatitis developed in a Chinese woman taking this preparation for the greying of her hair, and liver biopsy was consistent with a toxic reaction. Clinical and biochemical resolution occurred following cessation of the drug.

A combined chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study of sucralose in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The chronic toxicity and potential carcinogenicity of sucralose was evaluated by exposing Sprague-Dawley rats to dietary concentrations of this low-calorie sweetener both in utero and for up to 104 weeks following parturition. The rats assigned to the toxicity phase of this investigation were administered diets containing either 0% (control), 0.3% (3000 ppm), 1.0% (10,000 ppm) or 3.0% (30,000 ppm) sucralose. Each treatment group comprised 30 male and 30 female rats, of which 15 males and 15 females were sacrificed after 52 weeks of treatment. The surviving rats were killed following 78 weeks of sucralose administration. In the carcinogenicity phase of this investigation, groups of 50 male and 50 female rats were administered dietary sucralose at concentrations of 0% (control 1), 0% (control 2), 0.3%, 1.0% or 3.0% for 104 weeks. Evaluation of the data obtained from the two phases of this study showed that sucralose was not carcinogenic. Sucralose did not adversely affect the survival or clinical condition of the rats, and there were no toxicologically significant findings. Group mean body weight gain and food consumption were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner in sucralose-treated rats throughout the treatment period as compared to the controls. The primary effect of sucralose on food consumption, and secondarily on body weight gain, was established in later studies to be due to the fact that diets containing high concentrations of sucralose are unpalatable to rats. These subsequent studies established that the reduction of body weight gain seen in previous rat studies using sucralose in the diet at concentrations of 1% and below resulted from reduced food intake as a direct consequence of the unpalatable nature of sucralose. Similarly, at concentrations of 3% in the diet, it was shown that approximately 95% of the effect on body weight gain could be attributed to the reduction in food intake due to the reduced palatability of the diet, the remainder apparently due to a physiologic response to the high concentrations of non-digestible sucralose in the rats' diet. Complete toxicological evaluations of gavage studies with histopathological evaluations demonstrated that even at the 3% dietary level, toxicity was not responsible for the small body weight gain decrement. Gross and histopathologic examinations revealed that the administration of sucralose affected neither the types nor incidence of the tumours observed. The incidences of some non-neoplastic findings were statistically significantly increased in the sucralose treated groups relative to the controls. These included: renal pelvic epithelial hyperplasia in all female treatment groups, renal pelvic mineralization in females administered the intermediate or highest dietary concentrations of sucralose, adrenal cortical haemorrhagic degeneration in high-dose group female rats, and the histopathologic incidence of cataracts at necropsy in high-dose group male rats. The non-neoplastic findings that occurred were of no toxicological significance since they were either spontaneous findings commonly observed in aged rats of this strain or the physiological response to high dietary levels of a poorly absorbed compound.

A carcinogenicity study of sucralose in the CD-1 mouse.

The potential carcinogenicity of sucralose was evaluated by feeding groups of 52 male and 52 female CD-1 mice a diet containing sucralose at 0.3% (3000 ppm), 1.0% (10,000 ppm) or 3.0% (30,000 ppm) for 104 weeks. A group of 72 male and 72 female mice received diet without sucralose and served as controls. Week 1 achieved doses ranging from 543 to 5870mg/kg body weight/day in the low-dose males and high-dose females, respectively. Sucralose had no adverse effect on survival. No significant changes attributable to sucralose were found in the clinical condition or behaviour of the mice. Organ weights and the gross appearance of tissues were unaffected by treatment. The mean erythrocyte counts of females receiving the highest dietary concentration were slightly, but statistically significantly, lower than those of the controls after 104 weeks of treatment. Group mean body weight gain at the highest dietary concentration of sucralose was significantly less than that of the control in mice of both sexes. Food consumption, after correction for sucralose content, was lower for female mice, but not statistically significant. Water consumption for male mice receiving the highest dietary concentration was approximately 9% higher than that of the controls. There were statistically significant increases in the incidence of several non-neoplastic findings, but these were not considered to be related to sucralose administration. Treatment with sucralose did not increase the incidence of any tumour or influence the types of tumours observed. It was concluded that sucralose is not carcinogenic in CD-1 mice. The body weight gain and erythrocyte observations at the 3.0% dietary level were of limited biological significance as they were not accompanied by any histopathologic finding and had no impact on survival. The remaining dose levels were judged to have no effects.