Addition of açai oil during the close-up dry period of Holstein cows improves colostrum quality and immune responses of their calves.

This study evaluated of the effects of açai oil during the close-up dry period of Holstein cows on colostrum quality, as well as on the immune and antioxidant responses of their calves. Sixteen multiparous cows were assigned randomly to two treatments: 1) CONTROL (n = 8) - 4.48% of soybean oil/concentrate; 2) AÇAI (n =8) - 4.48% of açai oil/concentrate. Cows fed with açai oil had greater (P≤0.04) colostrum concentrations of immunoglobulins (Ig) G (1st and 2nd milking), IgG heavy chains, IgA (only at 1st milking), alpha-lactalbumin (1st milking), total protein, and antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (only at 1st milking). Cows fed with açai oil had greater serum concentrations of globulin (only on the day of calving) and total protein (only on the day of calving) (P = 0.03). Calves born of cows fed with açai oil had greater serum concentrations of total protein (only 24 and 48 h after calving) and serum concentration of IgG heavy chain (only 24 h after calving) and globulin (only 24 and 48 h after calving) (P = 0.01). These data suggest that the addition of açai oil in the cow feed during the close-up dry period boosted immunity in their calves by altering the composition of colostrum.

Calidad del calostro bovino y su relación con la genética, el manejo, la fisiología y su congelación / Quality of bovine colostrum and its relation to genetics, management, physiology and its freezing

RESUMEN Objetivo. Evaluar si la calidad del calostro se modifica por las características genéticas, fisiológicas y de manejo en el período preparto, así como evaluar si la calidad y composición del calostro se alteran en el proceso de congelación. Material y métodos. En el experimento I, se recogieron muestras de calostro y sangre de 35 vacas (18 Holstein y 17 Jersey). En el experimento II, se recolectaron seis muestras de calostro de vacas Holstein y se congelaron durante 60 días. Resultados. La concentración media de inmunoglobulina G (IgG) fue de 77.65 mg/ml en Jersey y de 82.77 mg/ml en Holstein. La genética, el orden de parto y la interacción entre estos factores no fueron significativos en la concentración de IgG en el calostro. Además, se observó un efecto genético de la vaca en el peso en la cría al nacer y en los tres días de edad (p<0.0001). Con respecto a la transmisión de inmunidad pasiva de terneros, no se observaron efectos de la raza de la vaca y el orden de parto en la concentración de proteínas plasmáticas de la ternera, así como después de tres días de congelación. Las razas de becerros Holstein (83%) y Jersey (82%) mostraron niveles de proteína sérica total por encima de 5.5 g/dL. Las vacas Holstein alojadas en potreros individuales con suplementos dietéticos, proporcionaron una mejor calidad de calostro (93.57 mg IgG/mL). Con el tiempo, el porcentaje de grasa cambió al congelarse, que se redujo con el tiempo (p<0.05) en el Experimento II. Conclusiones. El manejo previo al parto influye en la calidad del calostro, y la congelación no interfiere en la calidad centesimal e inmunológica del calostro, con excepción de la grasa, que disminuye a lo largo del tiempo.

ABSTRACT Objective. The aims of this study were to assess whether colostrum quality is modified by genetic, physiological and management characteristics in the pre-partum period, as well as evaluate whether quality and composition of colostrum is altered in the freezing process. Material and methods. In the experiment I, colostrum and blood samples of 35 cows (18 Holstein and 17 Jerseys) were collected. In the experiment II, six colostrum samples of Holstein cows were collected and frozen during 60 days. Results. The mean immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration was 77.65 mg/ml to Jersey and 82.77 mg/ml to Holstein. The genetic, parturition order, and the interaction between these factors were no significant on IgG concentration in the colostrum. Also, it was observed an effect genetic of cow in the weight on calf at birth and on three days of age (p<0.0001). Regarding transmission of calf passive immunity, no effects of cow breed and calving order were observed on plasma protein concentration of calf, as well as after three days of freezing. Calves of Holstein (83%) and Jersey (82%) breed showed total serum protein levels above 5.5 g/dL. Holstein cows housed in individual paddocks with diet supplementation provided better quality of colostrum (93.57 mg Ig/mL). Over time, the percentage of fat reduced at freezing, that reduced over time (p<0.05) in Experiment II. Conclusions. The pre-partum management exerts influence on colostrum quality, and the freezing not interfere on centesimal and immunological quality of colostrum, with exception the fat, that decrease along the time.

Benefits of the inclusion of açai oil in the diet of dairy sheep in heat stress on health and milk production and quality.

The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of açai (Euterpe oleracea) oil in the diets of lactating sheep under heat stress exerted beneficial effects on health as well as milk production and quality. Eighteen multiparous Lacaune sheep (2 or 3 parities; 28-30 days of lactation; average milk production of 1.7 L/sheep/day) were stratified by parity and milk production and were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments (9 sheep/treatment): diet supplemented with 2% of soybean oil (SOY) or 2% of açai oil (AÇAI) in the concentrate for 14 days. The amount of oil added in the diet was equivalent to 0.65% of the total diet (dry matter basis). Blood and milk samples were collected on days 1, 10 and 14. On day 14, the AÇAI group sheep had lower serum concentrations of leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes than did the SOY group sheep. On day 14, AÇAI group sheep had lower serum concentration of triglycerides and urea, milk concentration of fat and total solid and milk lipid peroxidation than did SOY group sheep. However, on day 14, AÇAI group sheep had higher serum concentrations of glucose and globulin, serum and milk antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals, milk production and productive efficiency than did SOY group sheep. The fatty acids profile in milk did not differ between groups. These data suggest that açai oil improved the antioxidant activity in serum and milk and improved milk production and quality in dairy sheep under heat stress.

Effect of abomasal or ruminal administration of citrus pulp and soybean oil on milk fatty acid profile and antioxidant properties.

Soybean oil (SBO) is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA) and rumen bypass of SBO can contribute to increase the polyunsaturated FA proportion in milk fat. Citrus pulp (CPP) is a source of antioxidants but there is little information on the effects of CP administration on milk properties. This study was performed to determine the role of rumen microorganisms in the transfer of antioxidants from CPP into milk when cows receive SBO as a source of polyunsaturated FA. Four ruminally fistulated lactating Holstein cows were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: (1) SBO administered in the rumen; (2) SBO infused in the abomasum; (3) SBO + CPP administered in the rumen; and (4) SBO + CPP infused in the abomasum. Product and site of administration had no effect on yield of milk components. Concentrations of total polyphenols and flavonoids, reducing power and production of conjugated diene (CD) hydroperoxides in milk were not affected by products, but infusion in the abomasum compared with administration in the rumen increased production of CD. Milk fat FA profile was not affected by products. However, cows infused in the abomasum compared with those administered in the rumen showed lower proportions of short-chain and monounsaturated FA and higher proportions of polyunsaturated, omega 3 and omega 6 FA in milk fat, which resulted in enhanced health-promoting index of milk. Administration of SBO and CPP (0.2 + 1.0 kg/d) in the rumen or the abomasum resulted in similar milk antioxidant properties, thus suggesting that the rumen microbes have little involvement in the metabolism of antioxidants from CPP.