Effects of Prepartum Dietary Carbohydrate Source and Monensin on Periparturient Metabolism and Lactation in Multiparous Cows

Abstract

Eighty-five multiparous Holstein cows were used in a completely randomized design with restrictions to evaluate the effects of prepartum carbohydrate (CHO) source and monensin on periparturient dry matter intake (DMI), blood parameters, and lactation performance of dairy cows. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with a conventional (CONV) dry cow diet and a nonforage fiber source (NFFS) dry cow diet not supplemented (-) or supplemented (+) with 330 mg/cow per d of monensin as a top dressing. The CONV diet contained 70% forage and the NFFS diet contained nonforage fiber sources such that 28% of the forage was replaced with cottonseed hulls and soyhulls. The experimental diets (CONV and NFFS) were fed throughout the entire dry period (for 60 d before parturition). Monensin was top dressed once daily starting 28 d (27 +/- 1.8 SD) before the expected calving date and continued until parturition. After parturition, all cows received the same lactating cow diet. During the last 28 d of gestation, cows receiving the NFFS diets prepartum had greater DMI (15.8 vs. 11.9 kg/d), DMI as a percentage of body weight (2.1 vs. 1.6% of body weight), plasma glucose (67.4 vs. 64.6 mg/dL), and serum insulin concentrations (0.59 vs. 0.45 ng/mL), and lower plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentrations (185 vs. 245 microEq/L) compared with cows receiving the CONV diets prepartum. Average milk production or composition during the first 56 d of lactation was not significantly affected by prepartum source of CHO, monensin, or their combination; however, there was a trend for the prepartum CHO source to affect milk production over time. Supplementation of monensin as a top dressing for 28 d prepartum had no effect on periparturient measurements. The prepartum diet did not affect postpartum DMI, blood glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, insulin concentrations, or liver triglyceride content. Results from this research demonstrated that partly replacing conventional dietary carbohydrate sources with NFFS, cottonseed hulls and soyhulls, in the dry cow diet improved or maintained the prepartum DMI and therefore enhanced the prepartum metabolic status, as indicated by key blood metabolite concentrations. This greater prepartum DMI may potentially increase milk production during early lactation.

Non-structural carbohydrates in the nutrition of high-yielding dairy cows during a transition period

“…For example, Smith et al (2005) observed the daily DMI of 13.7 kg/head when feeding the ration with a low level of NFC (34%) and 13.8 kg per head when using the FR with a high level of NFC (40%). However, other authors (Grum et al, 1996;Holcomb et al, 2001;Keady et al, 2001;Rabelo et al, 2003;Chung et al, 2008) found differences in DMI in their experiments. In these studies, higher DMI was always associated with the FR containing higher levels of NFC.…”

Nutritional and performance viability of cactus Opuntia-based diets with different concentrate levels for Girolando lactating dairy cows

“…NFC) [23], as observed by Inácio et al [24] who tested differ ent concentrate levels for heifers fed sugarcane bagasse as an exclusive roughage source. On the other hand, Chung et al [25] relate the increase in nutrients intake to the higher physical density of the concentrate by the decrease in the size of the particles in relation to the roughage. The main effects are the augmentation of the passage rate of the digesta through the gastrointestinal tract, making the increase in the consumption possible.…”

Indicadores bioquímico e hormonal de vacas leiteiras mestiças sadias e doentes durante o final da gestação e o início da lactação

“…Moreira et al (2015), estudando o período de transição de vacas, encontrou a maior concentração no quinto dia após o parto. Os resultados desse metabólito, encontrado neste trabalho, em média variou entre 0,34±0,11mmol/L a 0,56±0,21mmol/L no G1 e 0,37±0,09mmol/L a 0,65±0,20mmol/L no G2, resultados semelhantes aos descritos por Chung et al (2008), Moreira et al (2015) e Alvarenga et al (2015) realizados durante o final da gestação e início da lactação, os dois últimos autores trabalharam com vacas leiteiras mestiças (holandês x Gir), semelhante a esta pesquisa. Este corpo cetônico é o parâmetro bioquímico de maior confiabilidade devido a sua estabilidade, quando encontrado em concentrações elevadas demostra quadro de déficit energético grave (Castro et al 2008).…”