A two-step feeding of calcium salts of fish oil improves reproductive performance in Holstein cows
Abstract
Aim of study: To examine the effects of a biphasic schedule of feeding n-3 fatty acids on dairy cows.
Area of the study: Isfahan, Iran.
Materials and methods: 140 lactating Holstein cows were allotted at calving into two groups of 70 animals and received one of two dietary treatments: 1) saturated fatty acids (SFA, containing 80% palmitic acid) or 2) calcium salt of fish oil (CSFO, containing 16% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), with an n-6/n-3 FA ratio of approximately 7 for SFA and 5 for CSFO treatments. The dietary supplements were fed to the respective groups at 240 g/head.day from 0 to 21 days in milk, and 120 g/head.day from 22 to 150 days in milk. Milk yield was recorded biweekly and milk composition was evaluated monthly. The concentration of FA in the milk and blood was determined on d-90 of the experiment in 10 cows randomly selected from each group. Reproductive indices were recorded until d-150.
Main results: The CSFO supplementation did not affect average milk yield, milk composition or milk somatic cell count (SCC); however, in some weeks it decreased milk SCC (p<0.05). Plasma concentrations of palmitic acid and n-3 FA as well as milk fat concentration of EPA and DHA increased in the CSFO-fed cows (p<0.05). Feeding the CSFO decreased open days (100 vs 119 days, p<0.05), service per conception and all service conception rates (p<0.05).
Research highlights: The implementation of a two-stage feeding program of n-3 FA improved reproductive variables and reduced milk SCC in dairy cows.
Downloads
References
AbuGhazaleh A, Schingoethe D, Hippen A, Kalscheur K, Whitlock L, 2002. Fatty acid profiles of milk and rumen digesta from cows fed fish oil, extruded soybeans or their blend. J Dairy Sci 85 (9): 2266-2276. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(02)74306-3
Aitken S, Karcher E, Rezamand P, Gandy J, VandeHaar M, Capuco A, Sordillo L, 2009. Evaluation of antioxidant and proinflammatory gene expression in bovine mammary tissue during the periparturient period. J Dairy Sci 92 (2): 589-598. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2008-1551
Alamouti AA, Alikhani M, Ghorbani G, Zebeli Q, 2009. Effects of inclusion of neutral detergent soluble fibre sources in diets varying in forage particle size on feed intake, digestive processes, and performance of mid-lactation holstein cows. Anim Feed Sci Technol 154 (1-2): 9-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2009.07.002
Alizadeh A, Alikhani M, Ghorbani G, Rahmani H, Rashidi L, Loor JJ, 2012. Effects of feeding roasted safflower seeds (variety il‐111) and fish oil on dry matter intake, performance and milk fatty acid profiles in dairy cattle. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr 96 (3): 466-473. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01165.x
Allen MS, 2000. Effects of diet on short-term regulation of feed intake by lactating dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 83 (7): 1598-1624. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(00)75030-2
Ballard M, Byrd AT, 2018. Evaluation of a rumen protected omega 3 supplement for reproduction in dairy cows as determined in three large herd field trials. Open J Anim Sci 8 (03): 346. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2018.83026
Bharathan M, Schingoethe D, Hippen A, Kalscheur K, Gibson M, Karges K, 2008. Conjugated linoleic acid increases in milk from cows fed condensed corn distillers solubles and fish oil. J Dairy Sci 91 (7): 2796-2807. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2007-0938
Boerman J, Firkins J, St-Pierre N, Lock A, 2015. Intestinal digestibility of long-chain fatty acids in lactating dairy cows: A meta-analysis and meta-regression. J Dairy Sci 98 (12): 8889-8903. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-9592
Contreras GA, Sordillo LM, 2011. Lipid mobilization and inflammatory responses during the transition period of dairy cows. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 34 (3): 281-289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cimid.2011.01.004
Contreras G, Mattmiller S, Raphael W, Gandy J, Sordillo L, 2012. Enhanced n-3 phospholipid content reduces inflammatory responses in bovine endothelial cells. J Dairy Sci 95 (12): 7137-7150. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-5729
Dirandeh E, Towhidi A, Zeinoaldini S, Ganjkhanlou M, Ansari Pirsaraei Z, Fouladi-Nashta A, 2013. Effects of different polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementations during the postpartum periods of early lactating dairy cows on milk yield, metabolic responses, and reproductive performances. J Anim Sci 91 (2): 713-721. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-5359
Elis S, Freret S, Desmarchais A, Maillard V, Cognié J, Briant E, et al., 2016. Effect of a long chain n-3 pufa-enriched diet on production and reproduction variables in Holstein dairy cows. Anim Reprod Sci 164: 121-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2015.11.020
Gama M, Garnsworthy P, Griinari J, Leme PR, Rodrigues PHM, Souza LWdO, Lanna DPD, 2008. Diet-induced milk fat depression: Association with changes in milk fatty acid composition and fluidity of milk fat. Livest Sci 115 (2-3): 319-331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2007.08.006
Greco L, Neto JN, Pedrico A, Ferrazza R, Lima F, Bisinotto R, Martinez N, Garcia M, Ribeiro E, Gomes G, 2015. Effects of altering the ratio of dietary n-6 to n-3 fatty acids on performance and inflammatory responses to a lipopolysaccharide challenge in lactating holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 98 (1): 602-617. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-8805
Greco L, Neto JN, Pedrico A, Lima F, Bisinotto R, Martinez N, Ribeiro E, Thatcher W, Staples C, Santos J, 2018. Effects of altering the ratio of dietary n-6 to n-3 fatty acids on spontaneous luteolysis in lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 101 (11): 10536-10556. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15065
Invernizzi G, Thering BJ, McGuire MA, Savoini G, Loor JJ, 2010. Sustained upregulation of stearoyl-coa desaturase in bovine mammary tissue with contrasting changes in milk fat synthesis and lipogenic gene networks caused by lipid supplements. Funct Integr Genomics 10 (4): 561-575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10142-010-0179-y
Jensen RG, 2002. The composition of bovine milk lipids: January 1995 to december 2000. J Dairy Sci 85 (2): 295-350. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(02)74079-4
Lin S, Hou J, Xiang F, Zhang X, Che L, Lin Y, Xu S, Tian G, Zeng Q, Yu B, 2013. Mammary inflammation around parturition appeared to be attenuated by consumption of fish oil rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Lipids Health Dis 12 (1): 190. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-511X-12-190
Loor JJ, Ferlay A, Ollier A, Ueda K, Doreau M, Chilliard Y, 2005. High-concentrate diets and polyunsaturated oils alter trans and conjugated isomers in bovine rumen, blood, and milk. J Dairy Sci 88 (11): 3986-3999. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(05)73085-X
Maillard V, Desmarchais A, Durcin M, Uzbekova S, Elis S, 2018. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) effects on proliferation and steroidogenesis of bovine granulosa cells. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 16 (1): 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-018-0357-7
Mattos R, Staples C, Arteche A, Wiltbank M, Diaz FJ, Jenkins T, Thatcher W, 2004. The effects of feeding fish oil on uterine secretion of pgf2α, milk composition, and metabolic status of periparturient Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 87 (4): 921-932. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(04)73236-1
McFadden JW, 2020. Review: Lipid biology in the periparturient dairy cow: Contemporary perspectives. Animal 14 (S1): s165-s175. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731119003185
Moussavi AH, Gilbert R, Overton T, Bauman D, Butler W, 2007. Effects of feeding fish meal and n-3 fatty acids on ovarian and uterine responses in early lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 90 (1): 145-154. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(07)72616-4
Oseikria M, Elis S, Maillard V, Corbin E, Uzbekova S, 2016. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid DHA during IVM affected oocyte developmental competence in cattle. Theriogenol 85 (9): e1622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.01.019
Qiu X, Eastridge M, Firkins J, 2004. Effects of dry matter intake, addition of buffer, and source of fat on duodenal flow and concentration of conjugated linoleic acid and trans-11 c18: 1 in milk. J Dairy Sci 87 (12): 4278-4286. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(04)73572-9
Reis M, Cooke RF, Ranches J, Vasconcelos JLM, 2012. Effects of calcium salts of polyunsaturated fatty acids on productive and reproductive parameters of lactating Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 95 (12): 7039-7050. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-5502
Santos J, Bilby T, Thatcher W, Staples C, Silvestre F, 2008. Long chain fatty acids of diet as factors influencing reproduction in cattle. Reprod Domest Anim 43: 23-30. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01139.x
Silvestre F, Carvalho T, Francisco N, Santos J, Staples C, Jenkins T, Thatcher W, 2011. Effects of differential supplementation of fatty acids during the peripartum and breeding periods of Holstein cows: I. Uterine and metabolic responses, reproduction, and lactation. J Dairy Sci 94 (1): 189-204. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3370
Theurer M, Block E, Sanchez W, McGuire M, 2009. Calcium salts of polyunsaturated fatty acids deliver more essential fatty acids to the lactating dairy cow. J Dairy Sci 92 (5): 2051-2056. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2008-1276
Whitlock L, Schingoethe D, Hippen A, Kalscheur K, Baer R, Ramaswamy N, Kasperson K, 2002. Fish oil and extruded soybeans fed in combination increase conjugated linoleic acids in milk of dairy cows more than when fed separately. J Dairy Sci 85 (1): 234-243. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(02)74072-1
Yang SL, Bu DP, Wang JQ, Hu ZY, Li D, Wei HY, Zhou LY, Loor JJ, 2009. Soybean oil and linseed oil supplementation affect profiles of ruminal microorganisms in dairy cows. Animal 3 (11): 1562-1569. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731109990462
© CSIC. Manuscripts published in both the print and online versions of this journal are the property of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and quoting this source is a requirement for any partial or full reproduction.
All contents of this electronic edition, except where otherwise noted, are distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. You may read the basic information and the legal text of the licence. The indication of the CC BY 4.0 licence must be expressly stated in this way when necessary.
Self-archiving in repositories, personal webpages or similar, of any version other than the final version of the work produced by the publisher, is not allowed.
