Abstract 1: METHIONINE AND FATTY ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON MILK N3FA PERCENT AND YIELD
Researchers from Cornell University investigated the effects of feeding RPM and calcium salts of fatty acids enriched with or without eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; i.e., n3FA) in transition cows.
Supplying methionine to dairy cows has been observed to improve milk fat production. Additionally, supplying dietary fatty acids is known to alter the fatty acid profile of milk. The research, therefore, focused on the fatty acid composition of milk from cows fed RPM and calcium salts enriched in omega-3 fatty acids.
Offering RPM and enriched calcium salts improved the fatty acid profile of milk. EPA and DHA are known to have beneficial effects on metabolism in both animals and humans. Thus, producing milk with higher EPA and DHA can have health benefits for consumers.
Abstract 2: AFFECT OF RPM AND CALCIUM SALTS ENRICHED IN OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS ON PLASMA AND LIVER PC AND PE PROFILES
The same group from Cornell University also looked into the effects of feeding RPM and calcium salts enriched in omega-3 fatty acids (n3FA) on plasma and liver phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine concentrations of transition cows.
Feeding methionine during the transition period has been observed to have beneficial effects on liver metabolism. n3FA have also been documented to alter metabolism. However, no previous work has investigated the effects of supplying both n3FA and methionine during the transition period.
A randomized complete block study with 75 multiparous cows was used. Cows were assigned to one of four treatments: 1) Methionine (Met) deficient with calcium salts (CS) not enriched in n3FA 2) Methionine adequate with -n3FA, 3) -Met with CS enriched in n3FA or 4) +Met with +n3FA from wk -3 prior to expected calving through wk 4 of lactation.
The results from this trial underscore the importance of feeding EPA and DHA along with a RPM source to high-producing dairy cows during the transition period.
Even though there are not known requirements for polyunsaturated fatty acids for dairy cows, feeding them in conjunction with RPM resulted in changes in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in plasma and liver, reinforcing the beneficial effects reported previously on DMI, milk production and composition, and liver health.
Features: Tanya France, Ph.D. student at Cornell University, USA.
Abstract 1: METHIONINE AND FATTY ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON MILK N3FA PERCENT AND YIELD
Researchers from Cornell University investigated the effects of feeding RPM and calcium salts of fatty acids enriched with or without eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; i.e., n3FA) in transition cows.
Supplying methionine to dairy cows has been observed to improve milk fat production. Additionally, supplying dietary fatty acids is known to alter the fatty acid profile of milk. The research, therefore, focused on the fatty acid composition of milk from cows fed RPM and calcium salts enriched in omega-3 fatty acids.
Offering RPM and enriched calcium salts improved the fatty acid profile of milk. EPA and DHA are known to have beneficial effects on metabolism in both animals and humans. Thus, producing milk with higher EPA and DHA can have health benefits for consumers.
Abstract 2: AFFECT OF RPM AND CALCIUM SALTS ENRICHED IN OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS ON PLASMA AND LIVER PC AND PE PROFILES
The same group from Cornell University also looked into the effects of feeding RPM and calcium salts enriched in omega-3 fatty acids (n3FA) on plasma and liver phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine concentrations of transition cows.
Feeding methionine during the transition period has been observed to have beneficial effects on liver metabolism. n3FA have also been documented to alter metabolism. However, no previous work has investigated the effects of supplying both n3FA and methionine during the transition period.
A randomized complete block study with 75 multiparous cows was used. Cows were assigned to one of four treatments: 1) Methionine (Met) deficient with calcium salts (CS) not enriched in n3FA 2) Methionine adequate with -n3FA, 3) -Met with CS enriched in n3FA or 4) +Met with +n3FA from wk -3 prior to expected calving through wk 4 of lactation.
The results from this trial underscore the importance of feeding EPA and DHA along with a RPM source to high-producing dairy cows during the transition period.
Even though there are not known requirements for polyunsaturated fatty acids for dairy cows, feeding them in conjunction with RPM resulted in changes in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in plasma and liver, reinforcing the beneficial effects reported previously on DMI, milk production and composition, and liver health.
Features: Tanya France, Ph.D. student at Cornell University, USA.