Prepartum Feeding of Cationic or Anionic Diets to Holstein Cows Given 30 or 60 Day Dry Periods: Comparison of Dry Matter Intake, Physiological Measures and Milk Production

Gulay, M.S.,Hayen, M.J.,Bachman, K.C.,Head, H.H. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.1

Eighty-four Holstein cows were used to evaluate effects of feeding two diets that differed in dietary cation-anion difference (cationic; +28 or anionic; -138 mEq/kg DM) on prepartum and postpartum dry matter intake (DMI), body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), serum Ca concentrations and on subsequent milk production and composition. Treatments were in a $2{\times}3{\times}2$ factorial arrangement that included prepartum diet, dry period length (30 d dry, 30 d dry+estradiol cypionate (ECP), and 60 d dry), and prepartum and postpartum bST ($POSILAC^{(R)}$ 10.2 mg/d). No interaction of prepartum diet with dry period length or bST supplementation was detected for any measure evaluated either prepartum or postpartum. No significant effects of prepartum diet on prepartum DMI, BW or BCS were observed. Mean DMI during the first 28 d postpartum were similar for cows fed the cationic or anionic diets prepartum (25.5 vs. 26.1 kg/d). During postpartum wk 1 to 14, no differences in mean BW or BCS were detected due to prepartum diet fed but decreases for both groups were observed during the first 6 wk postpartum. No differences due to prepartum diet were observed for mean milk or 3.5% FCM yields or for milk composition during the first 10 wk of lactation. Similarly, mean milk yield of cows during the first 21 wk did not differ significantly due to prepartum diet fed (38.5 vs. 38.6 kg/d). Overall, cows fed the prepartum cationic or anionic diets had similar mean postpartum serum concentrations of Ca (9.34 vs. 9.35 mg/dl). Subsequent milk production, milk composition and concentrations of Ca did not differ. Importantly, the two prepartum diets were equally satisfactory in minimizing incidence of milk fever and in supporting initiation of lactation, irrespective of dry period length and supplemental ECP and bST.

Responses of Holstein Cows to Different Bovine Somatotropin (bST) Treatments during the Transition Period and Early Lactation

Gulay, M.S.,Garcia, A.N.,Hayen, M.J.,Wilcox, C.J.,Head, H.H. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.6

Major objective was to evaluate three doses of bST (POSILAC(R)) injected into Holstein cows during the transition period and through 56 d of lactation for potential to improve DMI, BCS, BW, metabolites, hormones, IGF-I and milk production. Biweekly injections of bST (0, 5.1, 10.2, or 15.3 mg bST/d) began 28 d before expected parturition and continued through 56 d postpartum. Twenty-three of the 25 multiparous Holstein cows assigned randomly to four groups completed experiment (7, 5, 6 and 5 cows/group, respectively). The DMI, BW and BCS were recorded weekly throughout the prepartum and postpartum periods and blood samples were collected thrice weekly for analyses of ST, insulin, $T_{4}$, $T_{3}$, IGF-I, glucose and NEFA. Milk yields were recorded daily through 60 d postpartum and milk components measured once weekly. Mathematical model for data analyses for prepartum and postpartum periods included treatment, calving month, and the two-factor interaction. Cows injected with 10.2 and 15.3 mg bST prepartum had greater mean prepartum concentrations of ST and IGF-I. Prepartum injections of bST did not affect prepartum BW or BCS. On average, cows injected postpartum better maintained their BCS during first 60 d of lactation (3.15$\pm$0.06, 3.12$\pm$0.007, 3.20$\pm$0.006 and 3.58$\pm$0.009). Treatments did not affect mean prepartum DMI but cows injected with 15.3 mg bST/d had greatest DMI and greatest mean daily MY during the first 3 wk and tended to be greater during first 60 d of lactation. Cows injected with two highest bST doses (10.1 and 15.2 mg/d) had greater mean postpartum concentrations of ST and $T_{3}$, but IGF-I, $T_{4}$, glucose and NEFA did not differ across groups. No adverse effects of bST treatment were observed.

Supplementation of Holstein Cows with Low Doses of Bovine Somatotropin (bST) Prepartum and Postpartum Affects Physiological Adaptations and Milk Production

Liboni, M.,Gulay, M.S.,Hayen, M.J.,Belloso, T.I.,Head, H.H. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.3

Major objectives were to evaluate effects of three schemes of bST-supplementation of Holstein cows (142.8 mg/14 d, POSILAC) during the prepartum and/or postpartum periods through 63 d (${\pm}3d$) of lactation. Measures evaluated the potential of treatments to improve body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS), provoke changes in plasma concentrations of somatotropin (ST) and IGF-I, and improve milk yield, milk composition (percentages of protein and fat, and somatic cell counts), and several calving variables. Multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement of treatments (TRT) to give four groups (I = no bST, n = 26; II = bST postpartum, n = 25; III = bST prepartum, n = 27; IV = bST prepartum and postpartum, n = 25). During the prepartum period, cows in groups I and II were not supplemented but those in groups III and IV were supplemented every 2-wk beginning 21 d before expected calving date through calving. During the first 63 DIM only cows in groups II and IV were supplemented with bST. From 64 DIM through the end of lactation cows in all groups were supplemented with the full lactation dose of bST (500 mg/14 d). The BW and BCS were recorded weekly throughout the prepartum and postpartum periods and every 2-wk beyond 70 DIM. Blood samples were collected 3-times a week for analyses of ST and IGF-I. Milk yields were recorded daily though 150 DIM. Prepartum supplementation of bST did not affect BW or BCS, but mean concentrations of ST were increased 12.2% and were 15.5% greater at calving. Overall, mean concentration of IGF-I was not affected by treatment but concentrations were greater at 1 and 2 wk before calving in bST-supplemented cows. During the first 63 DIM the BW and BCS were not affected by treatment. Significant effects of bST-supplementation were detected on concentrations of ST, IGF-I and on milk yield compared to non-supplemented cows in group I. Postpartum concentrations of ST were greater in bST-supplemented cows (TRT II and IV; +41.9 and 54.6%). However, concentrations of IGF-I were greater only in cows in group IV (+25.9%) during the postpartum period. Overall, the three bST-supplemented groups had greater actual milk yield than the control group (I) during the first 63 and 150 DIM. The actual milk yields during 63 and 150 DIM were 6.5 and 4.6 kg/d greater for cows in group IV than cows in group I and the 305-d ME milk yield also was 15.6% greater. No adverse effects of TRT were observed on calf birth weight, colostrum immunoglobulins, ease of calving or other measures evaluated.

ENDOCRINE CHANGES AND CIRCULATING INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTORS IN NEWBORN CALVES FED COLOSTRUM, MILK OR MILK REPLACER

Lee, C.-Y.,Head, H.H.,Feinstein, C.R.,Hayen, J.,Simmen, F.A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1995 Animal Bioscience Vol.8 No.1

To examine whether colostral growth factors are transferred to the general circulation, concentrations of plasma cortisol, insulin, prolactin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factors(IGFs) -I and -II, IGF-binding proteins(IGFBPs) and total protein were measured in newborn calves fed colostrums, milk of milk replacer before and after feeding at 12 h intervals during the first two days after birth. Plasma protein concentrations increased with time after than in milk- or milk replacer-fed calves. The mean protein concentration was greater in colostrum-fed than in milk- or milk replacer-fed calves. Plasma cortisol levels transiently declined after each feeding regardless of the type of diet, while insulin levels tended to increase. Mean concentrations of these hormones did not differ between dietary groups, nor did they change with time after birth. Plasma concentrations of prolactin and growth hormone did not differ between dietary groups and also did not change with time after birth or after feeding. Concentrations of IGF-I and IGF-II transiently increased at the second feeding period, but these, as well as plasma IGFBP profiles, were not different between groups or before and after feeding. Results did not indicate significant transfer of colostral growth factors across the newborn ruminant small intestine.