Effects of diets containing grape seed, linseed, or both on milk production traits, liver and kidney activities, and immunity of lactating dairy ewes

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the dietary inclusion of grape seed, alone or in combination with linseed, on milk production traits, immune response, and liver and kidney metabolic activity of lactating ewes. Twenty-four Sarda dairy ewes were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments consisting of a control diet (CON), a diet containing 300 g/d per head of grape seed (GS), a diet containing 220 g/d per head of extruded linseed (LIN), and a diet containing a mix of 300 g/d per head of grape seed and 220 g/d per head of extruded linseed (MIX). The study lasted 10 wk, with 2 wk of adaptation period and 8 wk of experimental period. Milk yield was measured and samples were collected weekly and analyzed for fat, protein, casein, lactose, pH, milk urea nitrogen, and somatic cell count. Blood samples were collected every 2 wk by jugular vein puncture and analyzed for hematological parameters, for albumin, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, creatinine, gamma glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, protein, blood urea nitrogen, and for anti-albumin IgG, IL-6, and lymphocyte T-helper (CD4(+)) and lymphocyte T-cytotoxic (CD8(+)) cells. On d 0, 45, and 60 of the trial, lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin was determined in vivo on each animal by measuring skin-fold thickness (SFT) at the site of phytohemagglutinin injection. Humoral response to chicken egg albumin was stimulated by a subcutaneous injection with albumin. Dietary treatments did not affect milk yield and composition. Milk urea nitrogen and lactose were affected by diet × period. Diets did not influence hematological, kidney, and liver parameters, except for blood urea nitrogen, which decreased in LIN and increased in MIX compared with CON and GS. Dietary treatments did not alter CD4(+), CD8(+), and CD4(+)-to-CD8(+) ratio. The SFT was reduced in GS and MIX and increased in LIN compared with CON. The IgG and IL-6 were affected by diet × period. The reduction in IgG on d 60 and SFT in ewes fed GS suggests an immunomodulatory effect of this residue. The limited variation in milk and hematological and metabolic parameters suggests that GS and LIN can be included, alone or in combination, in the diet of dairy ewes without adverse effects on milk production and health status.

Chemical–nutritional quality and oxidative stability of milk and dairy products obtained from Friesian cows fed with a dietary supplementation of dried grape pomace

“…The inclusion of DGP in cows' diet did not influence milk yield, according Nielsen and Hansen who noted only a slight tendency towards increased milk yield although non‐significant . In agreement with other studies, DGP did not modify the chemical composition of milk obtained from the GP+ group . However, other studies reported a reduction in the content of urea in the milk of cows that received a ration integrated with GP or by‐products of the oenological industry or reduction in the protein content as a resulting effect of polyphenols action …”

“…11 Nudda et al evaluated the effect of dietary inclusion of grape seed flour in sheep, in combination or not with linseed, on milk production, on hepatic and renal metabolism and on the immune status of animals. 12 Recently was also analysed the whole-transcriptome of Friesian calves fed with a GP-supplemented diet, observing variations in the pathway of cholesterol lipid biosynthesis, and this effect was consistent with a reduction in both serum cholesterol and lipid oxidation in the carcasses. 13 In addition to nutritional parameters, Torri et al explored the sensory properties of cow milk cheeses fortified with grape skin powders, however finding a lower degree of acceptance by consumers than expected.…”

“…39 In agreement with other studies, DGP did not modify the chemical composition of milk obtained from the GP+ group. 12 However, other studies reported a reduction in the content of urea in the milk of cows that received a ration integrated with GP or by-products of the oenological industry or reduction in the protein content as a resulting effect of polyphenols action. 39 Regarding the FA composition in milk, an increase in percentage of linoleic acid, trans-vaccenic acid, rumenic acid and total n-6 FAs was evidenced in samples obtained from GP-supplemented animals.…”

“…Tsiplakou and Zervas proposed the use of grape seed flour in order to increase the polyunsaturated component of the diet with the aim of increasing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in sheep milk . Nudda et al evaluated the effect of dietary inclusion of grape seed flour in sheep, in combination or not with linseed, on milk production, on hepatic and renal metabolism and on the immune status of animals . Recently was also analysed the whole‐transcriptome of Friesian calves fed with a GP‐supplemented diet, observing variations in the pathway of cholesterol lipid biosynthesis, and this effect was consistent with a reduction in both serum cholesterol and lipid oxidation in the carcasses .…”

Analysis of hepatic transcript profile and plasma lipid profile in early lactating dairy cows fed grape seed and grape marc meal extract

“…The observed inhibition of ER stress and the parallel increase of milk yield by GSGME [13] is noteworthy regarding the relatively low amount of GSGME fed to the cows (1% of DM in the TMR). Other studies dealing with the effect of grape products in ruminants (cows or ewes) used markedly higher concentrations, such as 5 kg dried GM per cow and day [71], 10% grape residue silage of feed DM [72], and 300 g GS per ewe and day [73]. Despite the feeding of much higher amounts of grape products in these studies, only one study observed a slight improvement of milk yield compared to the control group [71].…”