Effects of dietary protein on milk, rumen, and blood parameters in dairy cattle fed low fiber diets

Eighteen multiparous and 9 primiparous Holstein cows were used to determine the effects of a 13 and 23% crude protein concentrate on milk fat depression during early lactation. Beginning on d 22 postpartum, cows were fed a high fiber diet (27% acid detergent fiber) for 3 wk and then switched to a low fiber diet (9 to 10% acid detergent fiber) for 6 wk. Crude protein percentages calculated from dry matter consumption were 13.5 and 17.9% during the high fiber period and 12.7 and 22.3% during the low fiber period. Daily milk and fat yields for both primiparous and multiparous cows were greater for the high protein treatment. The magnitude of decline in milk fat percentage (from high to low fiber) was greater for the low protein treatment, as determined by nonlinear regression. The high protein treatment was more effective in reducing the severity of milk fat depression in primiparous cows than in multiparous cows. Dietary crude protein had no effect on milk protein or solids-not-fat percentages, rumen volatile fatty acid molar proportions, or serum acetate concentration. The mechanism by which the high protein ration minimized the fat depression response to low fiber rations by primiparous cows is unknown.     

Detection of transgenic and endogenous plant DNA in rumen fluid, duodenal digesta, milk, blood, and feces of lactating dairy cows

The objective was to determine the presence or absence of transgenic and endogenous plant DNA in ruminal fluid, duodenal digesta, milk, blood, and feces, and if found, to determine fragment size. Six multiparous lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas received a total mixed ration. There were two treatments (T). In T1, the concentrate contained genetically modified (GM) soybean meal (cp4epsps gene) and GM corn grain (cry1a[b] gene), whereas T2 contained the near isogenic non-GM counterparts. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to determine the presence or absence of DNA sequences. Primers were selected to amplify small fragments from single-copy genes (soy lectin and corn high-mobility protein and cp4epsps and cry1a[b] genes from the GM crops) and multicopy genes (bovine mitochondrial cytochrome b and rubisco). Single-copy genes were only detected in the solid phase of rumen and duodenal digesta. In contrast, fragments of the rubisco gene were detected in the majority of samples analyzed in both the liquid and solid phases of ruminal and duodenal digesta, milk, and feces, but rarely in blood. The size of the rubisco gene fragments detected decreased from 1176 bp in ruminal and duodenal digesta to 351 bp in fecal samples.     

Effect of dietary cation-anion difference and dietary crude protein on milk yield, acid-base chemistry, and rumen fermentation

Eight primiparous lactating Holstein cows (47 ± 10 d in milk) fitted with ruminal cannulae were used to determine the effect of dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) and dietary crude protein (CP) concentration on milk yield and composition, acid-base chemistry, and measures of N metabolism in lactating dairy cows. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial in a randomized complete block design to provide 15 or 17% CP and DCAD of 25 or 50 mEq (Na + K - Cl)/100 g of feed dry matter [15 or 39 mEq (Na + K) - (Cl + S)/100 g of feed dry matter]. High DCAD improved dry matter intake, milk yield, and concentrations of milk fat and protein. An interaction of DCAD and CP was observed for uric acid excretion, an indicator of microbial protein yield. Uric acid excretion was higher for high DCAD than for low DCAD in low CP diets and was similar for low and high DCAD with high CP. Serum bicarbonate concentration, urinary bicarbonate excretion, blood pH, and serum Na were elevated for high DCAD compared with low DCAD. Fractional excretion of Na, K, Cl, and Ca increased for high DCAD. Blood urea N and urinary urea N were greater for high than for low CP diets. No differences due to DCAD were observed for these parameters. Results of this study suggest that, in early lactation cows, blood acid-base chemistry is altered by differences in DCAD that range between the high and low ends of the desired DCAD range. Modifications of acid-base chemistry and the corresponding changes in protein metabolism may allow for more efficient feeding of protein and better nutritional management of the lactating dairy cow.     

A field study of dietary interactions with monensin on milk fat percentage in lactating dairy cattle

Ninety-one Ontario Holstein dairy herds were surveyed about their lactating cow ration and use of a premix containing monensin to identify possible dietary interactions with monensin on milk fat suppression. All herds were enrolled in Ontario Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) milk recording, and results from four DHI tests were used. Herd mean fat tests were calculated only for cows between 100 and 200 d in milk to avoid potential confounding due to stage of lactation. Wet forage and total mixed ration (TMR) samples from all herds were evaluated for particle size using the Penn State Particle Size Separator. Of the herds using monensin (n = 58), the dose (per kg of dry matter) ranged from 9 to 14 mg/kg in TMR-fed herds and from approximately 9 to 23 mg/kg in herds in which concentrates were fed separately from forages (component-fed). Of the samples submitted for particle size evaluation, 15% of the haylage (n = 80), 14% of the corn silage (n = 79), and 42% of the TMR (n = 58) samples were classified as having low fiber. There was a significant negative univariable association between monensin and mean milk fat percentage. Monensin significantly reduced milk fat percentage in TMR-fed but not component-fed herds. Fiber length significantly interacted with monensin in TMR-fed herds: Herds that had low fiber in their TMR (< or = 6.0% in the top screen) were susceptible to milk fat decrease by monensin, whereas herds that had adequate fiber (> 6.0%) were not. Monensin also significantly reduced milk fat percentage in herds receiving diets low in nonstructural carbohydrate (< 40.2%) but not in those receiving diets high in NSC (> or = 40.2%). The results of this study suggest that there are significant interactions between monensin and certain dietary factors on milk fat suppression in Holstein dairy herds.     

Effect of dietary cation-anion difference and dietary crude protein on performance of lactating dairy cows during hot weather

Thirty-two lactating Holstein cows (225 ± 63 d in milk) were used in a 6-wk trial to determine the effect of dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) and dietary crude protein (CP) concentration on milk and component yield, acid-base status, and serum AA concentrations during hot weather. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial within a randomized complete block design to provide 15 or 17% CP and a DCAD of 25 or 50 mEq (Na + K - Cl)/100 g of dry matter (DM). A DCAD × CP interaction was detected for milk yield; milk yield was less for high DCAD than for low DCAD for the high-CP diets. No differences were noted at low dietary CP. Milk fat percentage was greater for high DCAD than for low DCAD, and high-CP diets supported greater milk fat percentage than low-CP diets. No differences were observed among treatments for dry matter intake or milk protein percentage. Serum total AA and essential AA concentrations and ratio of essential AA:total AA were greater for high DCAD. These results suggest that increasing DCAD improves AA availability for protein synthesis by taking the place of AA that would otherwise be used for maintenance of acid-base balance. A better understanding of the mechanisms behind this AA-sparing effect will improve management of protein nutrition in the lactating dairy cow.     

Effect of sodium chloride intake on urine volume,urinary urea excretion,and milk urea concentration in lactating dairy cattle

Milk urea nitrogen (MUN; mg of N/dL) has been shown to be related to excretion of urinary urea N (UUN; g of N/d) and total excretion of urinary N (UN; g of N/d) in dairy cows. In the present experiment, it was hypothesized that MUN and the relationship between MUN and UUN or UN is affected by urine volume as a result of dietary sodium chloride intake. Twelve lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (mean ± SD: milk production 28.1 ± 3.23 kg/d and 190 ± 41 d in milk), of which 4 were fitted with catheters in the urine bladder and jugular vein, were randomly assigned to 4 dietary levels of sodium chloride (3, 9, 14, and 19 g of Na/kg of DM) according to a triple 4 × 4 Latin square design. Cows were fed at 95% of ad libitum intake, excluding salt addition. Milk was analyzed for MUN and protein content; urine was analyzed for total N, urea, and creatinine content; feces were analyzed for total N and DM content; and blood plasma was analyzed for urea and creatinine content. Creatinine clearance rate (CCR; L/min) and renal urea reabsorption ratio were estimated based on plasma concentrations of urea and creatinine, and total excretion of urea and creatinine in urine. Intake of DM and N, milk production, and milk protein content were (mean ± SD), on average, 21.4 ± 1.24 kg/d, 522 ± 32.0 g/d, 25.4 ± 2.53 kg/d, and 3.64 ± 0.186%, respectively. A linear relationship was found between Na intake and urine production [urine (kg/d; mean ± SE) = 7.5 ± 4.33 + 0.136 ± 0.0143 × Na intake (g/d)] and between Na intake and MUN [MUN (mg/dL; mean ± SE) = 13.5 ± 0.35 − 0.0068 ± 0.00104 × Na intake (g/d)]. Despite the decrease in MUN with increased Na intake, UN excretion increased linearly with Na intake. Excretion of UUN was not affected by dietary Na content. A linear plateau relationship was observed between CCR and renal urea reabsorption. An increase in CCR coincided with an increase in calculated renal urea reabsorption until a CCR breakpoint value (mean ± SD) of 1.56 ± 0.063 L/min was reached. We conclude that Na intake is negatively related to MUN, whereas UUN is not affected. Variation in mineral intake levels that affect urine volume should, therefore, be taken into account when using MUN as an indicator of UUN in dairy cattle.     

Selenium supplementation of lactating dairy cows: effect on selenium concentration in blood, milk, urine, and feces

The objectives were to determine effects of graded levels of selenized yeast derived from a specific strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (CNCM I-3060) on animal performance and in selenium concentrations in the blood, milk, feces, and urine of dairy cows compared with sodium selenite; and to provide preliminary data on the proportion of selenium as selenomethionine in the milk and blood. Twenty Holstein cows were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design study in which all cows received the same total mixed rations, which varied only in source or concentration of dietary selenium. There were 5 experimental treatments. Total dietary selenium of treatment 1, which received no added selenium, was 0.15 mg/kg of dry matter, whereas values for treatments 2, 3, and 4, derived from selenized yeast, were 0.27, 0.33, and 0.40 mg/kg of dry matter, respectively. Treatment 5 contained 0.25 mg of selenium obtained from sodium selenite/kg of dry matter. There were no significant treatment effects on animal performance, and blood chemistry and hematology showed few treatment effects. Regression analysis noted significant positive linear effects of increasing dietary selenium derived from selenized yeast on selenium concentrations in the milk, blood, urine, and feces. In addition, milk selenium results indicated improved bioavailability of selenium from selenized yeast, compared with sodium selenite. Preliminary analyses showed that compared with sodium selenite, the use of selenized yeast increased the concentration of selenomethionine in the milk and blood. There was no indication of adverse effects on cow health associated with the use of selenized yeast.     

Effects of a commercial fermentation byproduct or urea on milk production,rumen metabolism,and omasal flow of nutrients in lactating dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a fermentation byproduct on rumen fermentation and microbial yield in high producing lactating dairy cattle. Eight ruminally cannulated multiparous Holstein cows averaging (mean ± standard deviation) 60 ± 10 d in milk and 637 ± 38 kg of body weight were assigned to 1 of 2 treatment sequences in a switchback design. Treatment diets contained (dry matter basis) 44% corn silage, 13% alfalfa silage, 12% ground corn, and 31% premix containing either a control mix of urea and wheat middlings (CON) or a commercial fermentation byproduct meal (Fermenten, Arm and Hammer Animal Nutrition, Princeton, NJ) at 3% diet inclusion rate (EXP). Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric, with similar levels of neutral detergent fiber and starch. The trial consisted of three 28-d experimental periods, where each period consisted of 21 d of diet adaptation and 7 d of data and sample collection. Omasal nutrient flows were determined using a triple-marker technique and double-labeled ¹⁵N¹⁵N-urea. The EXP diet provided 18 g/d more nonammonia N versus the CON diet, representing 3.0% of total N intake. Energy-corrected milk yield (41.7 and 43.1 kg/d for CON and EXP, respectively), milk fat, and protein yield and content did not differ between treatments. Total dry matter intake was similar between treatments (25.5 and 26.4 kg/d for CON and EXP, respectively). Ammonia N concentration and pool size in the rumen was greater in cows fed the EXP diet. No differences were observed in rumen or total-tract dry matter, organic matter, or neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Ruminal degradation of feed N was 15% lower in cows fed EXP diets, resulting in differences in omasal N flows. Results demonstrated the fermentation byproduct meal had a sparing effect on degradable feed protein, but did not increase microbial N flow from the rumen.     

Effects of dietary cation-anion difference and potassium to sodium ratio on lactating dairy cows in hot weather

Forty-two lactating Holstein cows 188 ± 59 d in milk were used in an 8-wk randomized complete block trial with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. The objective was to determine the effects of high dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) and K:Na ratio on milk yield and composition and blood acid-base chemistry. Treatments included DCAD concentrations of 45 or 60 mEq (Na + K −Cl)/100 g of feed dry matter and K:Na ratios of 2:1, 3:1, or 4:1. Mean DCAD values were later determined to be 41 and 58. Dry matter intake was similar across treatments. Yield of milk and energy corrected milk were lower for the 3:1 K:Na ratio compared with 2:1 and 4:1 ratios. Blood urea N was lower for the highest DCAD, suggesting that DCAD possibly reduced protein degradation or altered protein metabolism and retention. Mean temperature-humidity index was 75.6 for the duration of the trial, exceeding the critical value of 72 for all weeks during the treatment period. Cows maintained relatively normal body temperature with mean a.m. and p.m. body temperature of 38.5 and 38.7°C, respectively. These body temperatures suggest that cows were not subject to extreme heat stress due to good environmental control. Results of this trial indicate that the greatest effect on milk yield occurs when either Na or K is primarily used to increase DCAD, with the lowest yield of energy-corrected milk at a 3:1 K:Na ratio (27.1 kg/d) compared with ratios of 2:1 (29.3 kg/d) and 4:1 (28.7 kg/d). Results also suggest that greater DCAD improves ruminal N metabolism or N utilization may be more efficient with a high DCAD.     

Effects of essential oils on rumen fermentation, milk production, and feeding behavior in lactating dairy cows

Seven ruminally cannulated lactating Holstein dairy cows were used in an incomplete Latin rectangle design to assess the effects of 2 commercial essential oil (EO) products on rumen fermentation, milk production, and feeding behavior. Cows were fed a total mixed ration with a 42:58 forage:concentrate ratio (DM basis). Treatments included addition of 0.5 g/d of CE Lo (85 mg of cinnamaldehyde and 140 mg of eugenol), 10 g/d of CE Hi (1,700 mg of cinnamaldehyde and 2,800 mg of eugenol), 0.25 g/d of CAP (50 mg of capsicum), or no oil (CON). Cows were fed ad libitum twice daily for 21 d per period. Dry matter intake, number of meals/d, h eating/d, mean meal length, rumination events/d, h ruminating/d, and mean rumination length were not affected by EO. However, length of the first meal after feeding decreased with addition of CE Hi (47.2 min) and CAP (49.4 min) compared with CON (65.4 min). Total volatile fatty acids, individual volatile fatty acids, acetate:propionate ratio, and ammonia concentration were not affected by EO. Mean rumen pH as well as bouts, total h, mean bout length, total area, and mean bout area under pH 5.6 did not differ among treatments. Total tract digestibility of organic matter, dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, crude protein, and starch were not affected by EO. Milk yield and composition did not change with EO. In situ dry matter disappearance of ground soybean hulls was not affected by EO. However, organic matter disappearance of soybean hulls with CE Hi tended to decrease compared with CON. Compared with CON, neutral detergent fiber disappearance (41.5 vs. 37.6%) and acid detergent fiber disappearance (44.5 vs. 38.8%) decreased with addition of CE Hi. The CE Lo had no effect on rumen fermentation, milk production, or feeding behavior but CAP shortened the length of the first meal without changing rumen fermentation or production, making it a possible additive for altering feeding behavior. The CE Hi negatively affected rumen fermentation and shortened the length of the first meal, suggesting that a dose of 10 g/d is not beneficial to lactating dairy cows.     

Influence of dietary protein concentration on milk production by dairy cattle during early lactation

In a 3 X 2 factorial experiment 75 Holstein cows in first, second, or third lactation were fed rations containing either 12.2% or 16.2% crude protein in total ration dry matter. On the average, 26% of dry matter intake was from corn silage, 22% from alfalfa-grass hay, and 52% from a grain mix. Protein was controlled by feeding a 13.7% crude protein grain mix with 1.4% urea for the 12% ration and a 19.8% crude protein grain mix with natural protein for the 16% ration. Average daily milk production (kg/day) for wk 2 through 12 of lactation for 12% and 16% rations by lactations were: first, 21.6 and 21.9; second, 25.7 and 31.5; and third, 27.5 and 34.0. Dry matter intakes by lactations were .42, 1.18, and 2.05 kg/day higher for cows fed the high protein compared to low protein rations. Milk composition was not influenced by protein treatment. The markedly different response to protein supplementation in milk production between heifers in first lactation and more mature cows is unexplained.     

Altering dietary cation-anion difference in lactating dairy cows to reduce phosphorus excretion to the environment

Four early-lactating dairy cows were randomly allocated to 4 diets with dietary cation-anion difference [DCAD; (Na + K) - (Cl- + S2-) mEq/100 g dry matter)] values of +14, +18, +24, and +45. Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous, and supplied similar levels of P (0.46%) and Ca (0.77%). The salts, MgCl2, MgSO4, K2CO3, and NaHCO3 were used to alter DCAD. The main objective of the study was to ascertain whether a decrease in DCAD would reduce fecal P excretion in lactating dairy cattle. The experiment was conducted as a 4 x 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. During the last 5 d, diets were offered at a restricted level and samples of blood, milk, feces, and urine were collected. Measures of acid-base status of the cows were linearly related to DCAD, but the animals did not experience metabolic acid stress. Neither fecal P nor urinary P was affected by DCAD, and there was no change in overall P balance. Plasma P tended to increase and blood concentrations of ionized Ca were enhanced as DCAD decreased; P excretion in milk showed a quadratic response to DCAD. Milk yield and milk composition were unaffected by changes in DCAD. Although DCAD may have influenced P homeostasis in lactating cows, there was no evidence that, within the range of + 14 to + 45 mEq/ 100 g dry matter, DCAD could be used as a nutritional strategy to reduce manure P from dairy cattle.     

Dietary alteration of particle breakdown and passage from the rumen in lactating dairy cattle

To evaluate the effect of dietary alteration on the rates of ruminal small particle passage or large particle breakdown, six ruminally cannulated Holstein cows 90 d postpartum were used in a 3 X 3 Latin square design. Experimental diets were 1) control: 60% concentrate, 40% corn silage; 2) bicarbonate: 60% concentrate (containing 2% sodium bicarbonate), 40% corn silage; and 3) hay: 60% concentrate, 30% corn silage, and 10% long alfalfa hay on a DM basis. Dry matter intake (kg/d), milk production (kg/d), percentage milk fat, rumination (min/d), ruminal fluid outflow (L/d), small particle (150 to 850 micron) passage rate (%h), and large particle (greater than 4.25 mm) breakdown rate for diets control, bicarbonate, and hay were 20.2, 20.9, 22.4; 26.6, 27.7, 26.8; 3.5, 3.6, 3.2; 405, 350, 370; 167, 184, 185; 6.5, 7.6, 7.4; and 7.2, 6.8, 7.4, respectively. Rumen DM content and digesta particle size were reduced at the end of a 24-h feeding period. Data suggested that small particle passage may be more closely related to ruminal fluid outflow and DM intake than large particle breakdown rate.     

Impact of dietary protein amount and rumen undegradability on intake, peripartum liver triglyceride, plasma metabolites, and milk production in transition dairy cattle

Feeding strategies of transition dairy cows contribute to the risk factors associated with metabolic disorders that limit production in the ensuing lactation. To investigate the effects of prepartum dietary crude protein (CP) concentration and amount of rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) on postpartum health and production, 44 multiparous Holstein cows were blocked by expected calving date and assigned to one of four isoenergetic prepartum rations beginning 28 d prior to expected calving date. Prepartum rations were: 12% CP and 26% RUP, 16% CP and 26% RUP, 16% CP and 33% RUP, or 16% CP and 40% RUP on a dry matter basis. All cows were fed the same postpartum diet (18% CP, 40% RUP) from 1 to 56 d in milk (DIM). Prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) was not different among dietary treatments. Mean postpartum intakes (kg/d) were higher through 56 DIM (P<0.05) for cows fed the 12% CP:26% RUP diet prepartum compared with any of the 16% CP diets (21.8 vs. 19.8, 18.6 and 18.6; 12% CP:26% RUP vs. 16% CP:26% RUP, 16% CP:33% RUP and 16% CP:40% RUP). There was a DIM x prepartum diet interaction (P<0.05) with the greatest effect of the 12% CP:26% RUP diet evident during the first 35 DIM. Cows fed the 12% CP:26% diet during the transition period tended to produce more milk (kg/d) (P = 0.08) than did cows fed any of the 16% CP diets (40.8 versus 37.8, 38.7, and 37.4; 12% CP:26% RUP vs. 16% CP:26% RUP, 16% CP:33% RUP, and 16% CP:40% RUP). Additional protein (12 vs. 16% CP) in the prepartum diet tended to decrease milk protein (P = 0.10) and milk fat yield (P = 0.08) but did not alter percent milk fat, percent milk protein, or MUN. Liver triglyceride (TG) expressed as milligrams of TG per microgram of DNA or percentage of dry matter (DM) on d -28, -14, +1, +28, and +56 relative to calving were not significantly different among treatments. Maximal (P<0.05) infiltration of TG in liver was observed on +1 d when expressed as a percentage of DM and on +28 d when expressed as milligrams of TG per microgram of DNA. Plasma glucose, calcium, urea nitrogen, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and nonesterified fatty acids were not different (P<0.05) among treatments. The data indicate carryover effects of prepartum dietary protein on postpartum intake and milk production, pointing to beneficial effects of maintaining dietary protein for dairy cows in late gestation at 12% CP.     

Effects of copper sources and dietary cation-anion balance on copper availability and acid-base status in dairy calves.

Twenty-four Holstein and Jersey calves (14 Holstein), 4 to 11 d of age, were assigned randomly to six treatments in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement to examine the effects of Cu sources and dietary cation-anion balance on Cu availability and acid-base balance. Treatments were cationic basal diet (20 meq of dietary cation-anion balance on a DM basis), cationic basal diet supplemented with CuO, cationic basal diet supplemented with CuSO4, anionic basal diet (-10 meq), anionic basal diet supplemented with CuO, and anionic basal diet supplemented with CuSO4. Copper sources did not show any effect on growth of calves. The cationic diet increased calf growth compared with the anionic diet at wk 12 of the experiment. Blood pH was increased by the cationic diet in comparison with the anionic diet at wk 8 and 12. Blood pH also was increased by CuSO4 compared with CuO treatment in the early period of the treatment. Blood bicarbonate concentration was decreased by CuO and the anionic diet. Interactions between Cu sources and cation-anion balance were found for blood pH and bicarbonate concentration. Liver Cu concentration was increased by CuSO4 but not by CuO supplementation compared with control. Therefore, CuSO4 was found to be highly available, whereas CuO was a very poorly available source of Cu for young calves.     

The effects of rumen nitrogen balance on nutrient intake,nitrogen partitioning,and microbial protein synthesis in lactating dairy cows offered different dietary protein sources

The aim was to study the effects of rumen N balance (RNB), dietary protein source, and their interaction on feed intake, N partitioning, and rumen microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis in lactating dairy cows. Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows were included in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design comprising four 20-d periods, each with 12 d of adaptation to the experimental diets and 8 d of sampling. The dietary treatments followed a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (i.e., 4 treatments) with 2 main protein sources [faba bean grain (FB) and SoyPass (SP; Beweka Kraftfutterwerk GmbH, Heilbronn, Germany)] offered at 2 dietary RNB levels each [0 g/kg of dry matter, DM (RNB0) and ?3.2 g/kg of DM (RNB?)]. The RNB was calculated as the difference between dietary crude protein (CP) intake and the rumen outflow of undegraded feed CP and MCP and divided by 6.25. Composition of concentrate mixtures was adjusted to create diets with desired RNB levels. Each of these protein sources supplied ≥35% of total dietary CP. Both diets for each protein source were isoenergetic but differed in CP concentrations. The DM intake (kg/d) was lower for RNB? than for RNB0 in diets containing FB, whereas no differences were seen between the RNB levels for SP diets. The RNB? decreased N intake and urinary N excretion but increased milk N use efficiency in both FB and SP diets, with greater differences between the RNB levels for FB diets than for SP diets. Similarly, duodenal MCP synthesis (g/kg of digestible organic matter intake) estimated from purine derivatives in the urine was lower for RNB? than for RNB0 in FB diets but similar between the RNB levels in diets containing SP. Low RNB of approximately ?65 g/d (approximately ?3.2 g/kg of DM) in diets reduced feed intake, N balance, and performance in high-yielding dairy cows with possibly more pronounced effects in diets containing rapidly degradable protein sources.     

Interactions of dietary cation-anion balance and phosphorus: effects on growth and serum inorganic phosphorus in dairy calves

Thirty-six male and female Holstein and Jersey calves were assigned at weaning to a randomized complete block design in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement to evaluate the influence of two dietary cation-anion balances (-14 and +39 meq(Na + K)-(Cl + S) per 100 g diet DM) and three amounts of dietary P (.22, .29, and .37%) on performance and P metabolism from 9 to 19 wk of age. Feed intake, average daily gain, and serum inorganic P were higher on the anionic diets and increased with increasing dietary P. Body weights were higher on the .37% P diets by wk 3 and on the anionic diets by wk 6. The interaction of dietary P and cation-anion balance was responsible for significant differences in calf performance; the anionic diet exhibited marked improvement over the cationic diet at the lowest P concentration. Results indicate that the availability of P for young dairy calves may be higher with anionic than cationic diets.     

Effects of manipulating dietary cation-anion balance on macromineral balance in sheep.

Effect on macromineral balance in sheep of dietary excess of inorganic anions (Cl and S) or inorganic cations (Na and K) was studied. Dietary cation-anion balance was calculated as milliequivalents [(Na + K) - (Cl + S)] kg-1 of DM. Eight crossbred wethers were fed two levels of Ca, designated high Ca (.82%) or normal Ca (.48%), with four treatment each, three of which differed in dietary cation-anion balance. Control and two treatments had +284, +61, and -27 meq kg-1 of DM for high Ca and +343, +218, and +63 meq kg-1 of DM for normal Ca, respectively. A fourth treatment was control plus injection of vitamin D3 (16,670 IU kg-1 of BW). Reducing dietary cation-anion balance reduced Ca retention by increasing excretion of urinary Ca. Apparent absorption of Ca was similar across cation-anion balances. There was no correlation observed between dietary cation-anion balance and concentration of plasma Ca. No difference was observed in apparent absorption of Ca between high and normal Ca. This result may be related to an oversupply of dietary Ca. Magnesium retention as a proportion of that absorbed for lowest cation-anion balance was smaller than that for the intermediate balance and control plus vitamin D3, although not different from control. Results showed that reduced dietary cation-anion balance resulted in a reduction of Ca retention.     

Excretion of deoxynivalenol and its metabolite in milk, urine, and feces of lactating dairy cows

Corn contaminated with deoxynivalenol was added to the diets of three dairy cows for 5 d and milk, urine, and 3 d following feeding of the diets. Dietary concentrations of deoxynivalenol averaged 66 mg/kg. Following exposure to deoxynivalenol, unconjugated deepoxydeoxynivalenol, a metabolite of deoxynivalenol, was present in milk at concentrations up to 26 ng/ml. Deoxynivalenol was not detected in the milk. Approximately 20% of the deoxynivalenol fed was recovered in the urine and feces in the unconjugated forms as deepoxydeoxynivalenol (96%) and deoxynivalenol (4%). After incubating urine with beta-glucuronidase, the concentration of unconjugated deepoxydeoxynivalenol increased by 7 to 15-fold whereas unconjugated deoxynivalenol increased 1.6 to 3-fold. Detectable concentrations of unconjugated deepoxydeoxynivalenol were found in urine and feces up to 72 h after the last oral exposure. Thus, urine and feces are the diagnostic specimens of choice for the determination of deoxynivalenol exposure in cows. Feeding deoxynivalenol-contaminated diets for 5 d did not alter feed intake or milk production nor were the milk concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, or nitrogen altered.     

Influence of dietary carbohydrate profile on the dairy cow rumen meta-proteome

Diet starch and fiber contents influence the rumen microbial profile and its fermentation products, yet no information exists about the effects of these dietary carbohydrate fractions on the metabolic activity of these microbes. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of dietary carbohydrate profile changes on the rumen meta-proteome profile. Eight cannulated Holstein cows were assigned to the study as part of a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement including four 28-d periods. Cows received 1 of 4 dietary treatments on a dry matter (DM) basis. Diets included different concentrations of rumen fermentable starch (RFS) and physically effective undigested NDF (peuNDF240) content in the diet: (1) low peuNDF240, low RFS (LNLS); (2) high peuNDF240, low RFS (HNLS); (3) low peuNDF240, high RFS (LNHS); and (4) high peuNDF240, high RFS (HNHS). Rumen fluid samples were collected from each cow on the last 2 d of each period at 3 time points (0600, 1000, and 1400 h). The microbial protein fraction was isolated, isobarically labeled, and analyzed using liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry techniques. Product ion spectra were searched using the SEQUEST search on Proteome Discoverer 2.4 (Thermo Scientific) against 71 curated microbe-specific databases. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc.). A total of 138 proteins were characterized across 26 of the searched microbial species. In total, 46 proteins were affected by treatments across 17 of the searched microbial species. Of these 46 proteins, 28 were affected by RFS content across 13 microbial species, with 20 proteins having higher abundance with higher dietary RFS and 8 proteins having higher abundance with lower dietary RFS. The majority of these proteins have roles in energetics, carbon metabolism, and protein synthesis. Examples include pyruvate, phosphate dikinase (Ruminococcus albus SY3), 30S ribosomal protein S11 (Clostridium aminophilum), and methyl-coenzyme M reductase subunit α (Methanobrevibacter ruminantium strain 35063), which had higher abundances with higher dietary RFS. Conversely, glutamate dehydrogenase (Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens) and 50S ribosomal protein L5 (Pseudobutyrivibrio ruminis) and L15 (Ruminococcus bromii) had lower abundances with higher dietary RFS content. Among the remaining 18 proteins unaffected by RFS content alone, 5 proteins were affected by peuNDF240 content, and 13 were affected by peuNDF240 × RFS interactions. Our results suggest that the RFS content of the diet may have a greater influence on rumen microbial protein abundances than dietary peuNDF240 content or peuNDF240 × RFS interactions. This research highlights that dietary carbohydrate profile changes can influence rumen microbial protein abundances. Further research is needed to fully characterize the effects of diet on the rumen meta-proteome and manipulate the various roles of rumen microbes. This will aid in designing the strategies to maximize the efficiency of nutrient use in the rumen.