Ruminal responses, digestibility, and blood parameters of beef cattle fed diets with different oilseeds.

It aimed to evaluate the effects of different whole oilseeds in lipid-rich diets on nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, ingestive behavior, and ruminal and blood parameters of steers. A control diet (without oilseed) and four diets containing whole oilseeds (cotton, canola, sunflower, and soybean) were tested. All diets used the whole-plant corn silage at 400 g/kg as roughage. Five diets, being a control diet (without oilseed) and four diets containing whole oilseeds (cotton, canola, sunflower, and soybean), were tested. All diets used the whole-plant corn silage at 400 g/kg as roughage. Five rumen fistulated crossbreed steers, in a 5 × 5 Latin square design were distributed using five periods of 21 days. The steers fed cottonseed and canola diets had lower dry matter intakes (6.6 kg/day). Steers showed higher averages of time in rumination for treatments with sunflower, soybean, and cottonseed (406, 362, and 361 min/day, respectively). There was no treatment effect for the ruminal pH and ammonia (NH3) variables. There was an effect of the treatment on the volatile fatty acid concentrations. The animals that received soybean showed a higher plasma urea concentration (50.7 mg/dL). Animals fed the control diet showed lower serum cholesterol levels (111.8 mg/dL) than those fed diets containing whole cottonseed, canola, sunflower, and soybean (152.7, 137.1, 146.9, and 138.2 mg/dL, respectively). We recommended using whole soybean or sunflower seeds to formulate lipid-rich diets with 70 g/kg of ether extract for crossbreed steers in the feedlot.

Antioxidant action of yerba mate on carcass and meat characteristics and fatty acid profile in meat and fat of lambs finished in tropical pastures.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of the supplementation with natural antioxidants from Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) on the performance, carcass and meat characteristics, and fatty acid profile in meat and fat of Texel × Ile de France lambs kept in Brachiaria-grass pasture. Twenty lambs with a mean age of 90 days and 26.3 kg of BW were distributed in a completely randomized design in two treatments with 10 replicates/treatment: Control-protein-energy supplement based on corn and soybean meal (150 g/kg DM of crude protein) without the addition of natural antioxidant yerba mate and Yerba Mate - energy protein supplement with the addition of yerba mate (110 g/kg DM). There was no treatment effect on animal performance and carcass characteristics. The subcutaneous fat thickness was significantly higher for lambs treated without yerba mate. There was no effect of nutritional treatments on the oxidative markers of lamb meat. The muscle of the animals treated with yerba mate showed a higher concentration of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids elaidic, linolenic, thymnodonic, docosadienoic, and ceorvonic. The fat of the animals treated with yerba mate showed a higher concentration of palmitoleic acid, linoelaidic acid, heneicosanoic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid. The concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher in meat and fat of lambs treated with yerba mate. Including yerba mate in the diet of lambs kept on Brachiaria pastures improves the lipid profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids in meat and fat, without altering the performance of the animals.

Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) as a source of antioxidants with soybean grain in supplementation of lactating ewes reared in tropical pastures.

The hypothesis tested is that the association of soybean grain and yerba mate as an antioxidant source can increase the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with lower oxidation of milk from lactating ewes reared in tropical pastures. Sixteen ewes were randomly distributed in a 2x2 factorial scheme (with or without yerba mate at 110 g / kg of dry matter (DM); with or without soybean grain at 210 g/kg of DM). Yerba mate intake reduced DM intake, and concentrations of ether extract (EE), protein, lactose, defatted dry extract, density, omega-3 concentrations, and the ratio between saturated/monounsaturated fatty acids (FA), but increased the concentration of monounsaturated FA and the sequestering power of free radicals by DPPH without altering the concentrations of conjugated dienes and the concentrations of substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid in milk. Supplementation with soybean grain decreased the birth weight of the lambs and increased the concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), PUFA, omega - 6, omega ratio - 6/omega - 3, and total blood cholesterol. The addition of yerba mate did not influence the oxidative profile of milk. Supplementation with soybean grain improved the FA profile of milk, increasing the concentrations of CLA and PUFA. The results suggest that the association of yerba mate and soybean grain helps to improve the fat quality of milk from ewes raised in tropical pastures, as shown by the enhanced antioxidant activity, although it does not help prevent oxidation of milk rich in PUFA.

A new feed additive composed of urea and soluble carbohydrate coated with wax for controlled release in ruminal fluid.

Urea is a compound widely used as a feed additive for ruminants; however, when used profusely, it can lead animals to intoxication. Another factor that affects the effectiveness of urea is the lack of synchronization between the nitrogen and the availability of carbohydrates, necessary for better development of the ruminal microbiota. In order to circumvent these problems and improve the efficiency in urea use, the present study developed two new nutritional additives (F16 and F17) with different carbohydrate sources. One of the products developed (F16) used sugarcane molasses as a carbohydrate source, while the other (F17) used cassava starch. In addition to the carbohydrate source, both products contained the same amounts of urea, sulfur, calcium carbonate and were coated with carnauba wax. The supplements developed and two other commercial products based on extruded urea (UE) and polymer-coated urea (UP) were tested for solubility and cumulative gas production. The wax used in the coating process of the developed products (F16 and F17) proved to be efficient in reducing the solubility of the ingredients used. During chemical composition analysis it was verified that both supplements developed contained protein equivalent above 150% of crude protein. The cumulative gas production showed a higher production related to the product F17 (p < 0.05). Through thermogravimetric analysis, it was found the chemical integrity of the ingredients that make up the supplements developed. Therefore, is possible to reduce the solubility of urea using carnauba wax as a coating material. The formula with cassava starch associated with urea (F17) had a better synchronization during the degradation of its ingredients.

Ruminal degradation kinetics of diets with different lipid sources and its influence on intake and milk yield of early lactation crossbred Holstein × Gir cows.

The hypothesized that the dietary inclusion of different lipid sources does not alter diet quality, feed intake, and, consequently, milk yield of cows. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplemental lipid sources for early lactation crossbred cows on milk yield, intake, and diet quality through in vitro digestibility and fermentation kinetics, and to demonstrate which variables have the most impact on each diet using principal component analysis (PCA). Five early lactating crossbred ¾ Holstein × » Gir cows (35 ± 8 days in milk), with a mean body weight of 410 ± 7.15 kg of body weight, were randomly allotted to a 5 × 5 Latin square. The treatments consisted of five experimental diets: a control diet with no additional lipid source and four diets with different lipid sources: cottonseed (242.6 g/kg of dry matter (DM)), sunflower seed (243.0 g/kg of DM), whole soybeans (234.0 g/kg of DM), and soybean oil (42.0 g/kg of DM), which were included at a rate to provide 70 g/kg of lipid. Diets with no additional lipid source and containing whole soybeans had higher DM, OM, and CP digestibility than other treatments. The diet containing soybean oil had the highest EE digestibility. Gas production was highest in the diet containing soybean oil. The dietary treatments did not affect DM intake. Milk yield was lower in cows receiving diets containing cottonseed. Whole soybeans can be included in diets for lactating cows to increase the energy intake without impairing the feed intake and milk yield.

Skin surface temperature of the mammary gland, measured by infrared thermography, in primiparous Girolando cows fed diets containing different lipid sources.

This research communication describes the influence of diet, mammary quarter position and milking process on the temperature of teats and udder of cows fed diets containing different lipid sources. Five primiparous cows were fed diets containing cottonseed, sunflower seed, soybeans or soybean oil as a source of lipids and a reference diet without the inclusion of lipid sources in a 5 × 5 Latin Square design. Milk yield was determined in the last five days of each period. Milk samples were collected for SCC analysis on the last two days of each experimental period. The images of the mammary gland were obtained using an infrared camera and were analyzed with appropriate computer software. Milk yield was 14.8% higher for cows fed soybeans as a source of lipids. Diets and somatic cell counts did not influence the temperature of teats and udder. The milking process reduced the temperature of teats and udder by 0.79°C. Rear teats and rear quarters had higher surface temperatures than front teats and fore quarters. Changes in temperature of teats and mammary quarters occurred as a function of the milking process and quarter position. However, the diet and the SCC did not influence the temperature of teats and mammary quarters in this experiment.

Combination of pelleting and monensin does not affect antioxidant properties and fatty acids in milk of grazing dairy cows supplemented with a concentrate containing soybean seeds.

This study was performed with the main objective of evaluating the effect of the combination of pelleting and monensin on fatty acids (FA) composition, the concentration of total polyphenols and flavonoids, and the oxidative stability of milk in cows fed a concentrate containing soybean seeds. Eight Holstein multiparous cows were distributed in a replicated Latin square design. The four supplement treatments consisted of the combination of two factors (pelleting and monensin) and one concentrate as follows: (1) unpelleted concentrate with no monensin (CO); (2) pelleted concentrate with no monensin (PE); (3) unpelleted concentrate with 96 mg of monensin/kg of dry matter, DM (MO); and (4) pelleted concentrate with 96 mg of monensin/kg of DM (PM). There was no interaction between pelleting and monensin for milk production and concentration of milk protein, lactose, total polyphenols, flavonoids, conjugated dienes (CD), and reducing power. Fat and total solids concentration in milk were decreased when cows were fed pelleted (PE and PM) concentrates. Feeding cows with PE and PM concentrates increased the CD concentration in milk. Regarding milk FA concentration, there was no difference among treatments for total saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FA. The most prominent result was that pelleting increased the milk concentration of omega-3 FA. Altogether, the present study suggests that the pelleting process can improve the milk fat quality by increasing the omega-3 FA, while the combination of pelleting and monensin in the diet of grazing dairy cows fed soybean-based concentrate adds no further improvements to FA profiles and oxidative stability of milk.

Effect of supplementation with Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and vitamin E on milk lipoperoxidation in cows receiving diets containing ground soybean seeds.

This research communication addresses the hypothesis that the association of dietary vitamin E and Yerba Mate could help to prevent or decrease oxidation of milk enriched in unsaturated fatty acids (UFA). Four multiparous lactating Holstein cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square. Treatments were: (1) control diet with no Yerba Mate or vitamin E; (2) diet containing 375 IU/kg vitamin E; (3) diet containing 30 g/kg Yerba Mate; and (4) diet containing 375 IU/kg vitamin E and 30 g/kg Yerba Mate. To increase unsaturated fatty acids in milk, cows were fed 172 g/kg soybean seeds (on a dry matter basis). There was no interaction between vitamin E and Yerba Mate supplementation for milk antioxidant-related (polyphenols, reducing power, conjugated dienes, and TBARS) analyses. Milk reducing power was increased when cows were supplemented with Yerba Mate. Our results suggest that the association of dietary vitamin E and Yerba Mate does not help to prevent or decrease oxidation of milk in UFA.

Pelleting and sodium monensin increase milk CLA concentration from dairy cows fed flaxseed / El peletizado y la monensina sódica incrementan la concentración de CLA en leche de vacas suplementadas con linaza / Peletização e monensina sódica aumentam a concentração de CLA no leite de vacas alimentadas com linhaça

Abstract Background: Demand for naturally enriched foods is increasing worldwide. Animal nutrition allows incorporating nutraceutical molecules into milk. These molecules are intended for improving human health. Objective: To evaluate the effects of pelleting and monensin addition to the diet on intake, digestibility of dry matter (DM) and nutrients, milk yield and composition, and fatty acids (FA) profile in cows kept on pasture and supplemented with concentrate containing ground flaxseed (GF). Methods: Four Holstein cows were assigned to the following treatments: 1) concentrate with GF; 2) GF + 32.93 mg/Kg monensin (GFM); 3) GF pelleted (GFP); 4) GF pelleted + 32.93 mg/Kg monensin (FMP). Results: Treatments did not show effects on digestibility of dry matter (DM) and nutrients or feed intake, with the exception of ether extract intake, which was reduced by 28% with pelleting. Addition of monensin increased the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration by 47%. Pelleting increased the concentrations of CLA (70%), polyunsaturated FA (PUFA; 25%), and monounsaturated FA (MUFA; 16%), and reduced the concentrations of steric acid (C18) in 19% and total saturated FA (SFA; 14%). Conclusion: Pelleting and monensin does not alter feed intake and digestibility of DM and nutrients. Pelleting of concentrate feed containing flaxseed improves milk FA quality.

Resumen Antecedentes: La demanda por alimentos naturalmente enriquecidos se ha venido incrementado en todo el mundo. A través de la nutrición animal es posible incorporar moléculas nutracéuticas en la leche. El uso de estas moléculas pretende mejorar la salud humana. Objetivo: Evaluar los efectos de la peletización y la monensina sobre la ingesta, digestibilidad de la materia seca (DM) y nutrientes, producción de leche, composición y perfil de ácidos grasos (FA) en leche de vacas en pastoreo que consumen alimento concentrado formulado con linaza molida (GF). Métodos: Cuatro vacas Holstein fueron distribuidas en los siguientes tratamientos: 1) ración conteniendo GF; 2) GF + 32,93 mg/Kg de monensina (GFM); 3) GF en pellets (GFP); 4) GF en pellets + 32,93 mg/Kg de monensina (FMP). Resultados: Los tratamientos no mostraron efectos en el consumo y digestibilidad de la DM y nutrientes, excepto por el consumo de extracto etéreo, con una reducción del 28% en las raciones peletizadas. La monensina incrementó la concentración de ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA) en 47%. La peletización aumentó el contenido de CLA (70%), FA poliinsaturados (PUFA; 25%) y FA monoinsaturados (16%); y redujo las concentraciones de C18 en 19%, y FA saturados total en 14%. Conclusión: El peletizado y la monensina no alteran la ingesta de alimento ni la digestibilidad de la DM y nutrientes. El proceso de peletizado aplicado a concentrados que contienen linaza mejora la calidad de los ácidos grasos de la leche.

Resumo Antecedentes: A procura por alimentos naturalmente enriquecidos tem aumentado por parte dos consumidores. Através da nutrição animal é possível incorporar ao leite moléculas nutracêuticas, essas moléculas são conhecidas por melhorarem a saúde humana. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da peletização e monensina sobre o consumo, digestibilidade da matéria seca (DM) e nutrientes, produção de leite, composição e perfil de ácidos graxos (FA) no leite de vacas em pastejo e suplementadas com concentrado contendo linhaça moída (GF). Métodos: Quatro vacas Holandesas foram distribuídas nos tratamentos: 1) concentrado contendo GF; 2) GF + 32,93 mg/Kg de monensina (GFM); 3) GF peletizado (GFP); 4) GF peletizado + 32,93 mg/Kg de monensina (FMP). Resultados: Os tratamentos não apresentaram efeitos sobre consumo e digestibilidade da DM e dos nutrientes, exceto para o consumo de extrato etéreo, com redução de 28% com a peletização do concentrado. A adição de monensina aumentou a concentração de ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA) em 47%. A peletização aumentou os teores de CLA (70%), FA poli-insaturados (25%) e FA monoinsaturados (16%); e reduziu as concentrações de C18 em 19% e AG saturados totais em 14%. Conclusão: Peletização e monensina não alteram o consumo e digestibilidade da DM e dos nutrientes. O processo de peletização aplicado em concentrados contendo linhaça melhora a qualidade dos FA do leite.

Energy balance in grazing Jersey cows in early lactation supplemented with peanut and sunflower oils.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of supplementation with peanut and sunflower oils on intake and digestibility, milk yield and composition, energy balance (EB), changes in weight and body condition score (BW and BCS), and blood metabolites of Jersey cows on pasture in early lactation. Twenty-four cows were distributed in a randomized block design where they received the following treatments: concentrate without oil (CON), concentrate plus 59.6 g/kg DM peanut oil (PEA), concentrate plus 59.6 g/kg DM sunflower oil (SUN), and concentrate plus 59.6 g/kg DM of a 1:1 mixture of peanut oil and sunflower oil (MIX). The data were analyzed at 30 and 60 days in milk (DIM). Oil supplementation did not affect total dry matter intake or forage intake. The treatment SUN reduced daily milk yield, 4% fat-corrected milk yield, and milk fat, while the other treatments generated similar results. The treatment SUN reduced the milk net energy and the use efficiency of the NEL for milk production and BW and BCS changes, and improved EB up to 60 DIM. On tropical pastures, supplementation with unsaturated oils for cows in early lactation does not result in better milk performance. The supplementation with sunflower oil improves the energy balance in early lactation.

Pelleting in Associated with Sodium Monensin Increases the Conjugated Linoleic Acids Concentration in the Milk of Dairy Cows Fed Canola Seeds.

To evaluate the effects of the pelleting and the addition of sodium monensin on production, the chemical and lipid composition of milk and butter physical characteristics, 4 Holstein dairy cows (135 days of lactation) with an average milk production of 14.7 kg/d, were supplemented with a concentrate containing ground canola seeds. The cows were assigned to a 4×4 Latin square design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments: i) ground maize, soybean meal, mineral and vitamin supplements, and ground canola seeds (CG); ii) CG concentrate with 31.5 mg of monensin added per kg of dry matter (DM); iii) CG pelleted concentrate; iv) CG concentrate with monensin addition pelleted. There was no difference in milk production and composition. The addition of monensin increased milk concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), the PUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratio, and omega 6. The pelleting increased the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids, the PUFA/SFA ratio, and the omega 6/omega 3 ratio, but decreased the concentration of SFA. The association between pelleting and the addition of monensin increased the concentration of conjugated linoleic acids by 46.9%. The physical characteristics of butter were not affected by the evaluated diets. We concluded that the concentrate with 31.5 mg of monensin added per kg DM basis combined with the pelleting improves the lipid composition of milk from Holstein cows that are on pasture and supplemented with ground canola seeds, without changing the production, milk composition, and spreadability of butter.

Effects of abomasal infusion of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil on microbial ß-glucuronidase activity and concentration of the mammalian lignan enterolactone in ruminal fluid, plasma, urine and milk of dairy cows.

Ruminal microbiota plays an important role in the conversion of plant lignans into mammalian lignans. The main mammalian lignan present in the milk of dairy cows fed flax products is enterolactone (EL). The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of abomasal infusion of flax oil on the metabolism of flax lignans and concentrations of EL in biological fluids of dairy cows. A total of six rumen-cannulated dairy cows were assigned within a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of six treatments utilising flax hulls (0 and 15·9 % of DM) and abomasal infusion of flax oil (0, 250 and 500 g/d). There were six periods of 21 d each. Samples were collected during the last 7 d of each period and subjected to chemical analysis. Flax hull supplementation increased concentrations of EL in ruminal fluid, plasma, urine and milk, while flax oil infusion had no effect. Post-feeding, ß-glucuronidase activity in the ruminal fluid of cows infused with 250 g flax oil was significantly lower for cows fed hulls than for those fed the control diet. The present study demonstrated that the presence of a rich source of n-3 fatty acids such as flax oil in the small intestine does not interfere with the absorption of the mammalian lignan EL and that lower ruminal ß-glucuronidase activity had no effect on the conversion of flax lignans into EL in the rumen of dairy cows.

Ruminal metabolism of flaxseed ( Linum usitatissimum) lignans to the mammalian lignan enterolactone and its concentration in ruminal fluid, plasma, urine and milk of dairy cows.

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside is the main flax (Linum usitatissimum) lignan that is converted to the mammalian lignans enterodiol (ED) and enterolactone (EL) by gastrointestinal microbiota. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the role of ruminal microbiota and the effects of flax oil on in vivo metabolism of flax lignans and concentration of EL in biological fluids. Four rumen-cannulated dairy cows were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. There were four periods of 21 d each and four treatments utilising flax hulls (1800 g/d) and oil (400 g/d) supplements. The treatments were: (1) oil and hulls administered in the rumen and abomasal infusion of water; (2) oil and hulls administered in the abomasum; (3) oil infused in the abomasum and hulls placed in the rumen; (4) oil placed in the rumen and hulls administered in the abomasum. Samples were collected during the last week of each period and subjected to chemical analysis. The site of supplementation of oil and hulls had no effect on ruminal EL concentration. Supplementing flax oil in the rumen and the abomasum led to similar EL concentrations in urine, plasma and milk. Concentrations of EL were higher in the urine, plasma and milk of cows supplemented with hulls in the rumen than in those placed with hulls in the abomasum. The present study demonstrated that ruminal microbiota play an important role in the metabolism of flax lignans.