Nutritional and Metabolic Regulation of Dairy Cow

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Farm Animal Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2023) | Viewed by 21840

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Animal Physiology and Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida Str. 31, 50-375 Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: cows; nutrition; milk; dairy animal sciences; calves; physiology

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Guest Editor
Institute of Animal Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Chełmońskiego Str. 38c, 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: cows; nutrition; milk; dairy animal sciences; calves

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Guest Editor
Department of Nutrition and Animal Husbandry, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
Interests: animal production; dairy cows; ewes; goats; dairy farming; milking; mastitis; hygiene of the environment
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The result of breeding work is a significant improvement in the performance characteristics of dairy cows. However, the increase in their productive capacity results in higher demands on housing and feeding conditions, which farmers are unable to meet. Due to the difficulties in properly balancing feed rations, the incidence of metabolic disorders increases, especially during the drying-out period and early lactation. Metabolic disorders limit the physiological capacity of the animals, worsening the physicochemical characteristics of the colostrum and milk produced, which reduces the quality and technological suitability of raw milk and affects the efficiency of calf rearing.

Climate change is leading to a potential reduction in the availability of feedstuffs, prompting a search for alternative plants and feed components that may be effective in the feeding of dairy cows.

Rumen fermentation processes and their products guarantee the proper functioning of the animals, their metabolism, health, and productivity. A non-invasive way to observe rumen processes and verify the impact of new ration solutions for dairy cows is in vitro analysis.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present current knowledge on the impact of feeding on metabolic processes in dairy cows and alternative feeds to improve their metabolic status.

Dr. Ewa Pecka-Kielb
Prof. Dr. Andrzej Zachwieja
Dr. Frantisek Zigo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • dairy cows
  • cow feeding
  • feed additives
  • rumen processes
  • rumen physiology
  • metabolic diseases
  • blood biochemical indicators
  • raw milk quality

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 781 KiB  
Article
Changes in Fatty Acid Levels during In Vitro Ruminal Fluid Incubation with Different Proportions of Maize Distillers Dried Grains (DDGS)
by Ewa Pecka-Kiełb, Joanna Tumanowicz, Andrzej Zachwieja, Dorota Miśta, Robert Kupczyński, Bożena Króliczewska, Jowita Kaszuba, František Zigo and Tomasz Suchocki
Agriculture 2023, 13(4), 763; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13040763 - 25 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1505
Abstract
This study aimed to analyse changes in the profile of long-chain fatty acids in the ruminal fluid of cows during in vitro fermentation, using different proportions of maize DDGS (distillers dried grains with solubles) as a substrate. The serum bottles were filled with [...] Read more.
This study aimed to analyse changes in the profile of long-chain fatty acids in the ruminal fluid of cows during in vitro fermentation, using different proportions of maize DDGS (distillers dried grains with solubles) as a substrate. The serum bottles were filled with 1 g of concentrate feed (C), which consisted of cereal middlings, postextraction rapeseed meal, and soybean meal. Substrates I, II, and III contained the same ingredients as substrate C, but also included DDGS at increasing proportions, while substrate IV contained only DDGS. Ruminal fluid with a buffer was then added to the bottles and incubated for 4, 8, and 24 h. After incubation, the fatty acid profile was analysed using a gas chromatograph. The use of DDGS as a substrate resulted in a decrease in SFA, and an increase in the proportion of UFA, including oleic acid (C18:1n9c) and linoleic acid (C18:2n6c). The fermentation profile with 15% and 20% DDGS in TMR proved to be the most beneficial. These findings suggest that the byproduct of bioethanol production could potentially improve the fatty acid profile in the ruminal fluid, resulting in higher-quality animal products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional and Metabolic Regulation of Dairy Cow)
9 pages, 284 KiB  
Article
Effects of Copper Sulfate and Encapsulated Copper Addition on In Vitro Rumen Fermentation and Methane Production
by Martyna Wilk, Ewa Pecka-Kiełb, Jerzy Pastuszak, Muhammad Umair Asghar and Laura Mól
Agriculture 2022, 12(11), 1943; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12111943 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2443
Abstract
Copper is a microelement crucial for the proper functioning of animals’ metabolic processes. The function of copper in rumen fermentation processes and methanogenesis is not well analyzed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the different types of copper supplement, their rumen [...] Read more.
Copper is a microelement crucial for the proper functioning of animals’ metabolic processes. The function of copper in rumen fermentation processes and methanogenesis is not well analyzed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the different types of copper supplement, their rumen decomposition and effect on in vitro ruminal fermentation as well as methanogenesis. Two different copper additives were used in the experiment: CS—copper sulfate (CuSO4 × 5 H2O)—and EC—encapsulated copper (tribasic copper chloride and copper sulfate enclosed within a polysaccharide polymer coating). A total mixed ration without copper additive was used as a control (C). In vitro rumen fermentation was conducted, and fermentation profile, gas production and methanogenesis were evaluated. After 24 h of fermentation, the amount of copper in the rumen fluid was significantly higher in the CS group. EC was protected against rumen degradation to a greater extent. The type of used copper supplement affects rumen fermentation. However, the effect on methanogenesis is ambiguous. CS supplement increases rumen gas production but does not affect methanogenesis. The obtained results suggest that the EC supplement may reduce the risk of low-fat milk and may improve the economic indicators of milk production. An in vivo experiment is necessary to compare the obtained in vitro results with animal productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional and Metabolic Regulation of Dairy Cow)

Review

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26 pages, 921 KiB  
Review
Strategies Used to Reduce Methane Emissions from Ruminants: Controversies and Issues
by Bożena Króliczewska, Ewa Pecka-Kiełb and Jolanta Bujok
Agriculture 2023, 13(3), 602; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030602 - 1 Mar 2023
Cited by 45 | Viewed by 17199
Abstract
Methanogenesis plays a crucial role in the digestive process of ruminant animals. During this process, methanogenic archaea produce methane as a byproduct of their metabolism. However, the production of methane by ruminants is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Methane is [...] Read more.
Methanogenesis plays a crucial role in the digestive process of ruminant animals. During this process, methanogenic archaea produce methane as a byproduct of their metabolism. However, the production of methane by ruminants is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that has a 28-fold greater global warming potential than carbon dioxide. Around 15% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are generated by livestock. Therefore, reducing methane emissions from ruminant livestock is an important goal for reducing the environmental impact of agriculture. There is a variety of strategies that can be used to reduce methane emissions, including dietary modifications, genetic selection, microbiome manipulation, and feed additives, such as plant secondary metabolites, methane inhibitors, lipids, essential oils, and algae. The main and important objective of this paper is to critically discuss the current strategies proposed to reduce methane emissions from livestock. Though many strategies, such as chemical intervention, have remarkably reduced methane emissions from ruminants, their usage remains unappealing because of health and safety concerns as well as consumer decisions. Hence, genetic animal selection and biological feed additives, such as probiotics and secondary plant metabolites, have emerged as promising techniques for mitigating enteric methane emissions. These strategies are highly promising, but more intensive research is needed to validate these approaches and assess their effectiveness in reducing methane production by ruminants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional and Metabolic Regulation of Dairy Cow)
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