Plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids differ with Holstein genetic strain in pasture-based dairy systems.

In pasture-based systems, there are nutritional and climatic challenges exacerbated across lactation; thus, dairy cows require an enhanced adaptive capacity compared with cows in confined systems. We aimed to evaluate the effect of lactation stage (21 vs. 180 days in milk, DIM) and Holstein genetic strain (North American Holstein, NAH, n = 8; New Zealand Holstein, NZH, n = 8) on metabolic adaptations of grazing dairy cows through plasma metabolomic profiling and its association with classical metabolites. Although 67 metabolites were affected (FDR < 0.05) by DIM, no metabolite was observed to differ between genetic strains while only alanine was affected (FDR = 0.02) by the interaction between genetic strain and DIM. However, complementary tools for time-series analysis (ASCA analysis, MEBA ranking) indicated that alanine and the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) differed between genetic strains in a lactation-stage dependent manner. Indeed, NZH cows had lower (P-Tukey < 0.05) plasma concentrations of leucine, isoleucine and valine than NAH cows at 21 DIM, probably signaling for greater insulin sensitivity. Metabolic pathway analysis also revealed that, independently of genetic strains, AA metabolism might be structurally involved in homeorhetic changes as 40% (19/46) of metabolic pathways differentially expressed (FDR < 0.05) between 21 and 180 DIM belonged to AA metabolism.

Comparison between two preventive treatments for hyperketonaemia carried out pre-partum: effects on non-esterified fatty acids, ß-hydroxybutyrate and some biochemical parameters during peripartum and early lactation.

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two different preventive protocols, on serum ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration and liver health indices pre-partum and during early-lactation in high-yielding Holstein dairy cows. One hundred cows were randomly divided into three groups: control group (CTRL, n = 20, without preventive treatment), second group (SUPP, n = 40 animals treated with a compound based on acetyl-methionine, inositol, cyanocobalamin, l-alanine, l-arginine, l-threonine, l-glutamic acid supplementation and α-lipoic acid) and third group (MON, n = 40 animals treated with monensin). Blood samples were collected from all cows at on 3 occasions pre-partum and 3 occasions post-partum. Body condition (BCS) score was evaluated and glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), BHB, triglycerides, total cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total bilirubin, total proteins, globulins, albumin and urea concentrations were assessed. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was applied. Statistically significant differences among the three experimental groups were found in the values of all studied parameters (P < 0.05). Our results confirm the established beneficial effect of MON treatment in decreasing BHB levels and increasing glucose availability after calving. Serum biochemical analysis revealed the expected post-partum alterations attributable to adaptations that influenced the metabolism and liver function in CTRL, whereas these alterations were reduced or absent in SUPP and MON. Results from the present study suggest that both preventive protocols, but in particular SUPP, could positively affect selected indicators of energy metabolism reducing the risk of hyperketonaemia and increase of liver function in Holstein dairy cows, both pre- and post-partum.

Multiple Micronutrients, Lutein, and Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation during Lactation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Breastfed infants require an adequate supply of critical nutrients for growth, tissue functions, and health. Recommended intakes for several nutrients are considerably higher in lactating than non-lactating women but are not always met with habitual diets. We report a randomized, double-blind clinical trial in 70 healthy lactating women in Germany evaluating the effects of supplementation with multiple micronutrients, lutein, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) compared to placebo on maternal nutrient status and milk composition. The primary endpoint was the effect on the change of human milk DHA content (as a proportion of total milk fatty acids) during 12 weeks of supplementation. Maternal blood and milk biomarkers were measured as secondary endpoints. Supplementation increased maternal milk DHA by 30% compared to a decline in the placebo group. Supplementation also increased maternal blood DHA (17%), eicosapentaenoic acid (4%), 25-OH-vitamin D (24%), vitamin B12 (12%), lutein (4%), and beta carotene (49%), while homocysteine decreased. No significant difference in the number of adverse events was observed between supplementation and placebo groups. In conclusion, multi-micronutrient supplementation was safe and increased maternal blood and milk concentrations of selected nutrients in healthy women.

Early-Life Effects of Vitamin D: A Focus on Pregnancy and Lactation.

Vitamin D is an endocrine regulator of calcium and bone metabolism. Yet, its effects include other systems, such as innate and adaptive immunity. Unique to pregnancy, circulating 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2D) increases early on to concentrations that are 2-3 times prepregnant values. At no other time during the lifecycle is the conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) to 1,25(OH)2D directly related and optimized at ≥100 nmol/L. Vitamin D deficiency appears to affect pregnancy outcomes, yet randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation achieve mixed results depending on when supplementation is initiated during pregnancy, the dose and dosing interval, and the degree of deficiency at the onset of pregnancy. Analysis of trials on an intention-to-treat basis as opposed to the use of 25(OH)D as the intermediary biomarker of vitamin D metabolism yields differing results, with treatment effects often noted only in the most deficient women. Immediately after delivery, maternal circulating 1,25(OH)2D concentrations return to prepregnancy baseline, at a time when a breastfeeding woman has increased demands of calcium, beyond what was needed during the last trimester of pregnancy, making one question why 1,25(OH)2D increases so significantly during pregnancy. Is it to serve as an immune modulator? The vitamin D content of mother's milk is directly related to maternal vitamin D status, and if a woman was deficient during pregnancy, her milk will be deficient unless she is taking higher doses of vitamin D. Because of this relative "deficiency," there is a recommendation that all breastfed infants receive 400 IU vitamin D3/day starting a few days after birth. The alternative - maternal supplementation with 6,400 IU vitamin D3/day, effective in safely raising maternal circulating vitamin D, that of her breast milk, and effective in achieving sufficiency in her recipient breastfeeding infant - remains a viable option. Additional research is needed to understand vitamin D's influence on pregnancy health and the effect of maternal supplementation on breast milk's immune signaling.

Migraine: navigating the hormonal minefield.

Migraine affects 959 million people worldwide,1 with the highest prevalence being in women of childbearing age. The interplay between female hormones and migraine can be a challenging area to navigate since issues relating to pregnancy, contraception and the menopause are often out of the neurology comfort zone. This review aims to help the neurologist to manage women with migraine, from menarche to menopause.

Retinol status and associated factors in mother-newborn pairs.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A deficiency is still considered to be a nutritional problem during pregnancy, lactation and early childhood. The present study aimed to assess the vitamin A status of women and their newborns in the Brazilian Northeast and to determine the association between retinol in the maternal serum, umbilical cord blood and colostrum. METHODS: Vitamin A status in 65 pairs of women and newborns was assessed from samples of the mother's serum, umbilical cord serum and colostrum using high-performance liquid chromatography. The inadequacy of the vitamin A status of mothers and infants was identified if the retinol values were <0.7 µmol L- 1 in maternal serum or umbilical cord blood or <1.05 µmol L-1 in colostrum. RESULTS: The prevalence of inadequate maternal vitamin A status was 21.5% (95% CI: 11.5%-31.5%) and 13.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.4%-22.2%] based on maternal serum and colostrum, respectively. Among newborns, 41.5% (95% CI = 29.3%-53.5%) presented a low status of vitamin A based on cord serum. Multiple linear regression analysis identified that maternal serum retinol is a predictor of umbilical cord retinol (P = 0.005). Retinol in maternal serum was lower in mothers who were less educated (P = 0.04) and colostrum retinol was higher in older (P = 0.04) and multiparous (P = 0.002) mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin A deficiency is a common problem among mothers attended in public hospitals in Northeast Brazil and maternal retinol concentrations are associated with retinol status in newborns. Maternal age, parity and educational level were related to the maternal vitamin A status.

Reproductive state and choline intake influence enrichment of plasma lysophosphatidylcholine-DHA: a post hoc analysis of a controlled feeding trial.

The major facilitator superfamily domain 2a protein was identified recently as a lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) symporter with high affinity for LPC species enriched with DHA (LPC-DHA). To test the hypothesis that reproductive state and choline intake influence plasma LPC-DHA, we performed a post hoc analysis of samples available through 10 weeks of a previously conducted feeding study, which provided two doses of choline (480 and 930 mg/d) to non-pregnant (n 21), third-trimester pregnant (n 26), and lactating (n 24) women; all participants consumed 200 mg of supplemental DHA and 22 % of their daily choline intake as 2H-labelled choline. The effects of reproductive state and choline intake on total LPC-DHA (expressed as a percentage of LPC) and plasma enrichments of labelled LPC and LPC-DHA were assessed using mixed and generalised linear models. Reproductive state interacted with time (P = 0·001) to influence total LPC-DHA, which significantly increased by week 10 in non-pregnant women, but not in pregnant or lactating women. Contrary to total LPC-DHA, patterns of labelled LPC-DHA enrichments were discordant between pregnant and lactating women (P < 0·05), suggestive of unique, reproductive state-specific mechanisms that result in reduced production and/or enhanced clearance of LPC-DHA during pregnancy and lactation. Regardless of the reproductive state, women consuming 930 v. 480 mg choline per d exhibited no change in total LPC-DHA but higher d3-LPC-DHA (P = 0·02), indicating that higher choline intakes favour the production of LPC-DHA from the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase pathway of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. Our results warrant further investigation into the effect of reproductive state and dietary choline on LPC-DHA dynamics and its contribution to DHA status.

Whole blood transcriptome analysis in ewes fed with hemp seed supplemented diet.

The hemp plant (Cannabis sativa L.) has a long tradition of being used for many different purposes such as industry, medicine and nutrition. In particular, because hemp seed (HS) is rich in oil protein and considerable amounts of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals that are particularly suitable also for animal nutrition. Different studies have evaluated HS on qualitative and quantitative properties of livestock products but as of today, nobody has investigated the molecular pathway behind HS supplementation in farm animals. Thus, in this study, we will report the first RNA sequencing of the whole-blood transcriptome of ewes fed either with a controlled diet (CTR, n = 5) or with a diet supplemented with 5% of hemp seed (HSG, n = 5). Applying a false discovery rate (FDR) <0.05 and a log2FC either higher than 0.5 or lower than -0.5, we identified 314 differentially regulated genes in the HS-supplemented group compared to the CTR group. Several genes encoding for different subunits belonging to the complex I, II, III, IV and ATP-synthase were up-regulated making oxidative phosphorylation (FDR: 3.05e-19) and thermogenesis (FDR: 2.17e-16) the highest up-regulated pathways in our study. Moreover, we found up-regulation in different genes involved in lactose biosyntheses such as GALK1 and PGM1 and, as a result, we observed a statistically higher lactose percentage in the HSG group (p < 0.05). These results indicate that HS supplementation positively affects the energy production pathway in lactating ewes conferring them also more resistance to adverse climatic conditions such as low temperature. Finally, the higher milk lactose content makes the derived dairy products more profitable.

Effects of live yeast supplementation on serum oxidative stress biomarkers and lactation performance in dairy cows during summer.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (LY) supplementation on serum oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant vitamin levels, and lactation performance in dairy cows during summer. A total of 16 lactating cows weighing 707.5 ± 13.1 kg (mean ± standard error) were enrolled and randomly assigned to either supplemented (n=8) or control group (n=8). In the supplemented group, the cows were administered with LY product at 10 g/day per cow from mid-July to mid-September for 8 weeks. The serum levels of derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites in the supplemented group were lower (P<0.05) at week 6. The serum retinol and blood glucose concentrations in the supplemented group were higher (P<0.01) at week 8. LY supplementation did not affect physiological responses, such as rectal temperature, respiratory rate, protein and cholesterol metabolism, and lactation performance. During the study period, daily average milk yield decreased in both groups. The reduction rates of milk yield in the supplemented and control groups were 17.6 and 20.0%, respectively. These results suggest that LY supplementation may reduce oxidative stress and improve carbohydrate metabolism in lactating dairy cows during summer.

Maternal 25-hydroxycholecalciferol during lactation improves intestinal calcium absorption and bone properties in sow-suckling piglet pairs.

Lower maternal vitamin D status during lactation is a common health problem. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of maternal 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) supplementation during lactation on maternal and neonatal bone health in a sow model. 32 Large White × Landrace sows were assigned randomly to one of two diets supplemented with 2000 IU/kg vitamin D3 (ND) or 50 µg/kg 25-OH-D3 (25-D). The experiment began on day 107 of gestation and continued until weaning on day 21 of lactation. Maternal 25-OH-D3 supplementation significantly decreased milk n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio, which supported bone formation of piglets. Supplementation with 25-OH-D3 altered bone turnover rate of sows and piglets, as evidenced by higher bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) concentration in serum. 25-D sows had significantly higher bone density and mechanical properties of tibias and femurs than ND sows. Calcium (Ca) absorption rate was higher in 25-D sows than ND sows, which was caused partially by the increased mRNA expressions of renal 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) and duodenal vitamin D receptor (VDR), transient receptor potential vanilloid 6 (TRPV6), and calcium-binding protein D9k (CaBP-D9k). Maternal 25-OH-D3 supplementation increased tibial and femoral Ca content by up-regulating Ca-related gene expression in kidney (CYP27B1), ileum (VDR and claudin-2), and colon (VDR and CaBP-D9k), thus, activating 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2-D3]-dependent Ca transport in piglets. In conclusion, improved milk fatty acids and higher mRNA expressions of calcitropic genes triggered by maternal 25-OH-D3 supplementation would be the potential mechanism underlying the positive effects of 25-OH-D3 on maternal and neonatal bone health.

Effect of Vanadium Supplementation on Production Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Plasma Mineral Concentration, and Mineral Balance in Lactating Goats.

Vanadium (V) has not been elucidated as an essential mineral in ruminants, though in lower organisms and rat model, its role is well known as insulin-a mimetic agent for catalyzing enzymatic activities. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of V supplementation on production performance, milk composition, and mineral profile in lactating goats. Twenty-four crossbred goats (body weight 34.83 ± 0.25 kg) were blocked in four groups and randomly assigned to four treatment groups (n = 6) on body weight and milk yield basis. All the animals were kept on similar feeding regimen except that different treatment groups were supplemented with 0, 2, 4, and 6 ppm inorganic V/kg DM. Feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, nutrient utilization, minerals in plasma and milk, and their balance studies post vanadium supplementation were observed during the 150-day experimental period. V supplementation did not change dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, and composition during the experimental period. Calcium levels in plasma were improved (P < 0.05) on vanadium supplementation. Nutrient digestibility remained similar among goats fed on basal or V-supplemented diets. Blood and milk V concentration showed a positive correlation with supplemental V levels but no difference was observed in levels of other minerals. The results of present findings indicated that up to the supplemented level, dietary inorganic V does not affect the production and mineral profile in milk and plasma.

Association of peripartum plasma insulin concentration with milk production, colostrum insulin levels, and plasma metabolites of Holstein cows.

The main objective of this study was to assess associations between plasma insulin concentration around parturition and production in Holstein cows. Primiparous and multiparous cows (n = 267) were enrolled. Blood samples were collected within 12 h after parturition (d 0), and on d 3 and 10 after calving. In addition, blood samples were collected 7 d before (-7 d) the expected date of parturition and colostrum samples were collected within 8 h after parturition from a subset of cows to measure insulin concentration (n = 47). All samples were harvested from 0630 to 1100 h and were used to quantify insulin, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and ß-hydroxybutyrate. The plasma concentrations of insulin on d -7 and 0 were not correlated with insulin levels in colostrum. Cows were grouped according to plasma insulin concentration based on the median as low insulin (L-INS) or high insulin (H-INS) on d 0 (median = 0.35 ng/mL; range 0.2 to 1.2), 3 (median = 0.32 ng/mL; range 0.2 to 1.6), and 10 (median = 0.30 ng/mL; range 0.2 to 0.8). We detected that cows in the L-INS group on d 0 (L-INS = 0.57 ± 0.02; H-INS = 0.49 ± 0.02 mmol/L), d 3 (L-INS = 0.56 ± 0.02; H-INS = 0.49 ± 0.02 mmol/L), and d 10 (L-INS = 0.61 ± 0.03; H-INS = 0.55 ± 0.03 mmol/L) had higher NEFA concentrations compared with cows in the H-INS group. Compared with H-INS cows, milk yield was higher for cows classified as L-INS on d 0 (L-INS = 40.75 ± 0.69; H-INS = 38.41 ± 0.64 kg) and d 10 (L-INS = 40.95 ± 0.74; H-INS = 38.66 ± 0.64 kg). Moreover, fat-corrected milk was higher for cows classified as L-INS on d 0 (L-INS = 40.59 ± 2.36; H-INS = 37.73 ± 2.31 kg) and d 10 (L-INS = 41.00 ± 2.42; H-INS = 38.65 ± 2.28 kg) compared with H-INS cows, and energy-corrected milk was higher for L-INS cows compared with H-INS cows regardless of the day (d 0, L-INS = 44.50 ± 0.70 vs. H-INS = 41.67 ± 0.64 kg; d 3, L-INS = 43.65 ± 0.74 vs. H-INS = 40.88 ± 0.72 kg; d 10, L-INS = 44.09 ± 0.73 vs. H-INS = 40.55 ± 0.68 kg). We conclude that low plasma insulin concentration during early lactation is associated with higher milk yield in the long term.

Effect of complementary food with small amounts of freshwater fish on whole blood n-3 fatty acids in Cambodian infants age 6-15 months.

The impact of freshwater fish consumption on the status of long-chain n-3 fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) in infants in landlocked, low-income populations is unknown. We used secondary data from a randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial to evaluate the impact of daily consumption of complementary food products with small amounts of freshwater fish on whole blood n-3 LCPUFA in Cambodian infants. Infants (n = 419), received daily, one of four food products for 9 months. Two products contained freshwater fish: WinFood (10% fish by dry weight) and WinFood-L (12% fish by dry weight), while two products were non-fish-based: corn-soy blends (CSB+ and CSB++). Whole blood fatty acids and breastfeeding status were assessed at baseline and endline of the intervention. The WinFood products contributed to an estimated maximum intake of 86.5 mg/day n-3 LCPUFA. There was no difference in whole blood n-3 LCPUFA among the four intervention groups or between the fish-based and the non-fish-based groups (p ≥ 0.142). At endline, 71% of the children were still breastfed. Interaction analyses indicated a lower ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA in non-breastfed infants in the WinFood groups compared to the CSB groups (pinteraction = 0.026). Thus, a high intake of n-3 LCPUFA from breastmilk may have blurred a potential impact of small amounts of freshwater fish effect on n-3 LCPUFA status in Cambodian infants.

Dietary supplementation for Santa Inês hair ewes on pasture at pre- and postpartum periods: dry matter intake, digestibility, milk production, and mineral metabolism.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different levels of dietary supplementation and reproductive stages on dry matter intake, digestibility, milk production, and mineral metabolism in Santa Inês hair ewes. Two dietary supplement levels of 0.5 and 1.5%, based on body weight, were used. A total of 12 hair ewes (six subjected to 0.5 and six subjected to 1.5% of concentrate supplementation based on body weight-BW) of the Santa Inês breed were evaluated in a completely randomized design with fixed effects of supplementation level, period, and its interactions. Dry matter intake, digestibility, milk production, and mineral metabolism (calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type I insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and osteocalcin (OC)) were assessed. Dry matter digestibility was affected by the supplementation level (during both pregnancy and lactation), with higher values in ewes fed at a level of 1.5% of BW. A significant interaction between treatment × reproductive stages was found for the Mg concentration. A period effect (P < 0.05) on serum concentrations of P, Ca/P, Mg, and IGF-I was observed. Serum P concentrations were influenced (P < 0.05) by treatments and reproductive stages. There were significant differences in the Ca/P ratio among the reproductive stages. The enzymatic activity of ALP and serum IGFI differed among reproductive stages. Ewes supplemented at a level of 1.5% of BW produced 18.5% more milk than ewes supplemented at a level of 0.5% of BW. The use of 0.5% of body weight in concentrate supplementation is recommended for the reduction of production costs, without having an effect on the mineral metabolism of Santa Inês hair ewes.

Effect of Organic Selenium Supplementation on Selenium Status, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidant Status in Selenium-Adequate Dairy Cows During the Periparturient Period.

The periparturient period represents a stressful time for dairy cows as they transition from late gestation to early lactation. Oxidation stress occurs during this period owing to the increased metabolic activity. Antioxidants supplementation slightly above the suggested requirements may be beneficial in relieving this kind of stress. The objective of this study was to determine whether supplementing selenium (Se) yeast to diets with adequate Se concentrations affects Se status, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status in dairy cows during the periparturient period. Twenty multiparous Holstein cows were randomly divided into two groups with ten replicates in each group. During the last 4 weeks before calving, cows were fed Se-yeast at 0 (control) or 0.3 mg Se/kg dry matter (Se-yeast supplementation), in addition to Na selenite at 0.3 mg Se/kg dry matter in their rations. The concentrations of Se, reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical, malonaldehyde (MDA), α-tocopherol and glutathione (GSH), the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in plasma or erythrocyte of dairy cows were measured at 21 and 7 days prepartum, and at 7 and 21 days postpartum. Cows fed Se-yeast supplement during the last 4 weeks of gestation had higher plasma Se and lower MDA concentrations at 7 days prepartum, and at 7 and 21 days postpartum, and had higher whole blood Se and lower plasma ROS and H2O2 concentrations at 7 and 21 days postpartum compared with control cows. Se-yeast supplementation increased plasma and erythrocyte GSH-Px activities and erythrocyte GSH concentration at 7 days postpartum as compared to Se-adequate control cows. Compared with control cows, the enhanced SOD and CAT activities, increased α-tocopherol and GSH concentrations, and improved T-AOC in plasma at 7 and 21 days postpartum in Se-yeast-supplemented cows were also observed in this study. The results indicate that feeding Se-adequate cows a Se-yeast supplement during late gestation increases plasma Se status, improves antioxidant function, and relieves effectively oxidative stress occurred in early lactation.

Vitamin D status and intake of lactating Inuit women living in the Canadian Arctic.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and correlates of healthy vitamin D status in lactating Inuit women living in remote regions of the Arctic. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Households were selected randomly in thirty-six communities of Nunavut, Nunatsiavut and Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24 h recall and an FFQ. Anthropometric measurements, household living conditions, supplement use and health status were assessed. In fasting samples, serum 25-hydroxyvitaimn D (25(OH)D) was measured using a chemiluminescent assay (LIAISON; Diasorin Inc.). SUBJECTS: Lactating Inuit women participating in the 2007-2008 International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey conducted in the months of August to October. RESULTS: Among participants (n 34), 8·8, 26·5 and 50·0 % had 25(OH)D concentrations at or above 75, 50 and 40 nmol/l, respectively. More than one-third of participants did not consume traditional foods during the previous day and only 11·3 % of total energy intake was derived from traditional foods. Only 14·7 % of the sample consumed the daily number of milk servings recommended by Canada's Food Guide (two servings) for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Using multivariable logistic regression to examine 25(OH)D≥40 nmol/l, only higher body fat was inversely correlated with 25(OH)D concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first to assess simultaneously vitamin D status and other known factors that affect it among lactating Inuit women living in remote communities in the Arctic. Healthy maternal vitamin D status was observed in 25 % of participants during the late summer and early autumn. This requires further assessment in a larger sample spanning more seasons.

Serum vitamin D and vitamin D-binding protein levels in mother-neonate pairs during the lactation period.

BACKGROUND: To determine longitudinally the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D) and vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) levels in mother-neonate pairs and evaluate the efficiency of prophylactic vitamin D on lactation days 45-60. METHODS: Mother-neonate pairs whose serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were in normal ranges on postpartum/postnatal days 5-10 were classified into two groups by their serum vitamin D concentrations (Group A: < 10 ng/ml and Group B: > 20 ng/ml). Both maternal and neonatal Ca, P, Mg, ALP, and PTH concentrations in group A and B were not different. Maternal and neonatal serum DBP levels were measured in two groups. The mother-neonate pairs in both groups were given 400 IU/d vitamin D orally. The same biochemical markers in group A were remeasured on days 45-60 of the lactation period. RESULTS: In group A, the mean maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels on postpartum/postnatal days 5-10 were significantly lower and the DBP levels were significantly higher than those in group B (P = 0.000; P = 0.000 and P = 0.04; P = 0.004, respectively). On lactation days 45-60, the maternal and neonatal DBP concentrations were not different from those on postpartum/postnatal days 5-10. However, the maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels were significantly increased (P = 0.000 and P = 0.000, respectively), while the neonatal PTH concentrations were significantly decreased (P = 0.000). The maternal and neonatal vitamin D concentrations were negatively correlated with their DBP concentrations (P = 0.048 and P = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: High maternal and neonatal DBP levels may lead to an incorrect low estimate of the true Vitamin D concentration. In this case, only prophylactic vitamin D (400 IU/d) is indicated for mothers and their infants.

Reduced serum vitamin D concentrations in healthy early-lactation dairy cattle.

Cattle obtain vitamin D by ingestion or cutaneous exposure to UV light. Dairy cattle diets are frequently supplemented with vitamin D to compensate for limited sun exposure or during times of increased metabolic demands, such as the periparturient period, to maintain calcium homeostasis. Whether housing and supplemental vitamin D practices supply adequate amounts of vitamin D to optimally support the transition from gestation to lactation in dairy cattle is unknown. Our objective was to determine how serum vitamin D concentrations of dairy cows change with season, age, parity, and stage of lactation. Clinically healthy cows (n = 183) from 5 commercial dairies were enrolled in the study. Serum samples were collected at dry off, within 7 d of entering the close-up group, and within 7 d after calving (calving+7). Vitamin D status was determined by measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] by radioimmunoassay. We performed repeated-measures mixed-effects linear regression to determine the effects of season, age, parity, and lactation stage (dry off, close-up, and calving+7) on 25(OH)D concentrations in serum. Bivariable analysis indicated that parity, age, and season were not associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations. Sample period affected 25(OH)D concentrations, with the highest 25(OH)D levels at dry off (99.7 ± 1.9 ng/mL) followed by close up (93.8 ± 2.1 ng/mL), with the lowest levels at calving+7 (82.6 ± 1.7 ng/mL). These data showed a large depletion of 25(OH)D in dairy cattle postpartum compared with late prepartum, although the biological significance of this change in these healthy cattle is unclear. Consumption of serum 25(OH)D by immune system functions and calcium homeostasis in early lactation likely caused the reduction in serum 25(OH)D concentrations after calving. These results suggest that determining whether serum 25(OH)D concentrations are associated with the incidence of transition period disease is an appropriate next step. Assessing the effects of enhanced vitamin D supplementation of cows in early lactation on postpartum diseases may be warranted.

Effects of a lipid-based nutrient supplement during pregnancy and lactation on maternal plasma fatty acid status and lipid profile: Results of two randomized controlled trials.

It is unknown whether a novel small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (SQ-LNS) containing alpha-linolenic (ALA) and linoleic acids impacts maternal plasma lipids and fatty acid status. We measured plasma fatty acids (wt%) and lipid concentrations at 36 wk gestation and breast milk fatty acids (wt%) at 6 months postpartum in a subsample of women enrolled in a randomized controlled trial studying the effects of SQ-LNS on birth outcomes and child growth. Women≤20 wk gestation in Ghana (n=1,320) and Malawi (n=1,391) were assigned to receive daily either: 1) iron-folic acid (pregnancy); 2) multiple micronutrients (pregnancy and lactation); or 3) SQ-LNS (pregnancy and lactation). At 36 wk, plasma ALA levels were higher in those receiving SQ-LNS. SQ-LNS increased breast milk ALA in Ghana but not Malawi. There was no effect on plasma lipids or other selected fatty acids. SQ-LNS may impact plasma and breast milk ALA levels depending on the population.

Low Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency among Nepalese Infants Despite High Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency among Their Mothers.

BACKGROUND: Describing vitamin D status and its predictors in various populations is important in order to target public health measures. OBJECTIVES: To describe the status and predictors of vitamin D status in healthy Nepalese mothers and infants. METHODS: 500 randomly selected Nepalese mother and infant pairs were included in a cross-sectional study. Plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify predictors of vitamin D status. RESULTS: Among the infants, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (25(OH)D <50 nmol/L) and deficiency (<30 nmol/L) were 3.6% and 0.6%, respectively, in contrast to 59.8% and 14.0% among their mothers. Infant 25(OH)D concentrations were negatively associated with infant age and positively associated with maternal vitamin D status and body mass index (BMI), explaining 22% of the variability in 25(OH)D concentration. Global solar radiation, maternal age and BMI predicted maternal 25(OH)D concentration, explaining 9.7% of its variability. CONCLUSION: Age and maternal vitamin D status are the main predictors of vitamin D status in infants in Bhaktapur, Nepal, who have adequate vitamin D status despite poor vitamin D status in their mothers.