Effects of feeding yeast and propionibacteria to dairy cows on milk yield and components, and reproduction*

Abstract

To determine the effect of supplemental feeding of Diamond V-XP yeast (XPY) alone or in combination with propionibacteria strain P169 on milk production, milk components, body weight, days to first and second ovulation, plasma insulin, and plasma and milk glucose, 31 primiparous and multiparous (MP) Holstein cows were fed one of three dietary treatments between 2 weeks prepartum to 30 weeks postpartum: (i) control (n = 10), fed a corn silage-based total mixed ration (TMR); (ii) XPY (n = 11), fed control TMR plus XPY (at 56 g/head/day); and (iii) P169+XPY (n = 10), received control TMR plus XPY plus P169 (at 6 x 10(11) cfu/head/day). After parturition, daily milk weights were recorded, and milk samples were collected twice weekly for milk component analyses. Daily uncorrected milk, solids-corrected milk, and 4% fat-corrected milk production for MP cows fed P169+XPY was 9-16% greater than control MP cows, but these increases were only evident during mid lactation (9-30 weeks). The percentage of milk fat was 8-18% greater in control than XPY and P169+XPY groups. Milk lactose percentage in MP cows fed P169+XPY was 3-5% greater than in control and XPY MP cows. Primiparous and MP cows fed P169+XPY had 28-32% greater milk glucose levels than control and XPY-fed cows. Diurnal plasma glucose concentration was not affected by diet in MP cows. Plasma insulin levels in MP cows fed P169+XPY were 30-34% greater than in other groups of MP cows. Milk glucose and plasma insulin responses to P169+XPY feeding suggest that P169+XPY might have enhanced gluconeogenesis and increased glucose uptake by the mammary gland in Holstein cows. Thus, a combined feed supplement of P169 and XPY may hold potential as a natural feed alternative to hormones and antibiotics to enhance lactational performance.

Importance of Yeast in Ruminants Feeding on Production and Reproduction

“…The yeast group did have an advantage over the control group in faster recovery from a drop in milk production following an increase in ambient temperature since both groups were subject to the same heat stress conditions. Lehloenya et al [44] found that daily uncorrected milk, solids-corrected milk, and 4% fat-corrected milk production for multiparous Holstein cows fed propionibacteria plus yeast during mid lactation was 9-16% greater than control cows. The authors concluded that combined feed supplement may hold potential as a natural feed alternative to enhance lactational performance.…”

Effects of udder infections with Staphylococcus xylosus and Staphylococcus warneri on the composition and physicochemical changes in cows milk

“…Disturbance in the metabolism may lead to the accumulation of fat in the liver, decreasing the functional capacity of the immune system, favoring the onset of mastitis (Pyörälä 2008). Urea level in cows' milk mainly depends on their nutrition (Godden et al 2001, Lehloenya et al 2008. Other authors did not observe an effect of somatic cell count, and thus mammary gland status, or on milk urea level (Henao-Velásquez et al 2014).…”

An effect of mammary gland infection caused by Streptococcus uberis on composition and physicochemical changes of cows’ milk

“…Urea level in cows' milk mainly depends on their nutrition (Godden et al 2001, Lehloenya et al 2008. Other authors did not observe an effect of somatic cell count, and thus mammary gland status, on milk urea level (Henao-Velásquez et al 2014).…”