Augmentation of Milk Production by Supplementing Bypass Fat in Dairy Animals

Abstract

Pregnancy and lactation are the physiological states which modify metabolism in animals and induce stress. The period of transition between late pregnancy (-3 weeks) and early lactation (+3 weeks) presents huge metabolic challenges in terms of energy balance, plasma metabolites and hormonal changes. High rates of Body Condition Score (BCS) losses are associated with a severe negative energy balance conditions immediately after the calving. Energy deficiency due to decreased dry matter intake during the periparturient period results in increased lipolysis of body fat. The release of non-esterified fatty acids and higher β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations are indicative of lipid mobilization and fatty acid oxidation. Animals have to utilize their body reserves to support lactogenesis and milk production resulting in metabolic disorders and sub-optimal milk yield under these conditions. Most of the lactating animals are fed crop residues in the tropical countries, which are generally low in energy, protein and minerals. Increased amount of energy secreted into milk fat and lesser feed intake puts high yielder cows and buffaloes in negative energy balance (NEBAL), metabolic disorders and suboptimal milk production. Maximizing the energy intake by increasing the energy density of diet is a logical feeding strategy during transition period and in early lactating animals. Feeding large amounts of cereal grains decrease ruminal pH, ruminal fiber digestibility, acetate/propionate ratio, milk fat concentration and increase the risk of ruminal acidosis. Scientific interventions have been carried out from time to improve energy balance by supplementing bypass fat and proteins. Bypass fats are commonly referred to as ruminal inert fat, protected fat and escape fat and are more expensive per unit of energy provided compared to commodity fats. Calcium salts of fatty acids increase milk yield and fat contents but partially degrade in the abomassum. Prill fat, a bypass fat is available in different forms and augments productive performance of lactating animals by getting digested in the small intestine. However response varies depending upon the milk production levels and the body condition of animals. The present review discusses the role of bypass fat in enhancing the milk production performance and its effect on hormones, digestibility coefficients and energy balance.

Effect of pre-partum prilled fat supplementation on feed intake, energy balance and milk production in Murrah buffaloes

“…The higher pre-partum DMI intake (p<0.01) in SG than the CG and a non-significant effect on post-partum DMI intake observed in this study is in agreement with earlier reports [ 20 , 21 ]. The results of the present study reveal that the supplementation of prilled fat improves energy balance during advance pregnancy which in turn causes higher MY in ensuing lactation [ 22 ]. In addition to this, milk fat %, FCMY and energy corrected MY increases due to improved BCS.…”

Effect of Feeding of Bypass Fat Mineral Mixture on Productive Performance and Quality of Milk of Buffaloes in Armori Tahsil

“…Calcium salts of fatty acids increase milk yield and fat contents but partially degrade in the abomasum. Prill fat, a bypass fat is available in different forms and augments productive performance of lactating animals by getting digested in the small intestine (Sing et al, 2015).…”

Nutritional management of dairy animals for sustained production under heat stress scenario

“…In early lactating cows' milk production was enhanced by 6.02 percent, when they are supplemented with 75 g of prill fat per day (Rajesh et al 2014). Similar amounts of prill fat feeding to Murrah buffaloes resulted in an increase of 10 percent in milk yield in the organized herd and an increase of 17 percent under field conditions (Singh et al 2015). Dietary fat (Prill fat) along with astaxanthin (antioxidant) was more effective in ameliorating adverse effect of summer stress (Somagond et al 2019(Somagond et al , 2020.…”