Search Results (721)

The frequency, duration and intensity of heat events in Australia are forecast to increase. Different grain types result in different heat loads on animals, so grain selection could reduce the impact of heat exposure. Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows at 86 days in milk were offered a basal forage diet plus one of four supplements: (1) BLY, rolled barley; (2) CAN, canola meal and rolled wheat; (3) CRN, disk-milled corn; or (4) WHT, rolled wheat. Cows were exposed to a 2-day heat wave in controlled-climate chambers. Overall, cows offered CAN had the lowest dry matter intake (DMI; 16.2 vs. 17.7 kg) but produced more energy-corrected milk (ECM; 34.9 vs. 29.6 kg) when compared with the other treatments. The results were similar during heat exposure. Cows fed CRN and CAN had the greatest body temperature (38.9 °C), and cows fed BLY had the lowest (38.4 °C). Despite this, cows fed BLY had the greatest reduction in DMI from the pre-challenge to the heat-challenge periods (−2.8 vs. −0.4 kg DM/d). There appears to be a small advantage to offering cows a concentrate with a greater protein concentration compared to one that has a greater concentration of fat or starch. The choice of grain to include in a dairy cow’s ration during summers with acute heat events may simply be an economic one. Full article

Menstrual bleeding disorders (MBDs) are multifaceted issues affecting women’s health. Understanding their causes and impacts is vital for management and treatment. MBDs can affect women’s self-esteem (SE), creating a cycle of physical and emotional challenges. Women may resort to unhealthy behaviours; therefore, we raised the question of whether MBD women’s self-esteem differs in dietary behaviours, consequently leading to obesity. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between SE, dietary behaviours and body fat (BF) distribution in 63 19–35 y MBD women. It was conducted on two BMI and age-matched groups that differ by android fat content. Rosenberg’s SE questionnaire and Food Frequency Questionnaire were used. BF distribution was measured by dual-energy-X-ray-absorptiometry (DXA), and the android-to-gynoid fat ratio was calculated. We revealed the following determinants of higher android-to-gynoid fat distribution: medium or high self-esteem (OR: 3.4, 95%CI: 1.0; 10.8), daily milk products frequency intake (OR: 3.3, 95%CI: 1.1; 10.3). The level of self-esteem could affect dietary behaviours. Women with higher android fat distribution tend to consume dairy products more frequently but with less meat. Women with lower android fat distribution had lower SE. The issues raised in this project affect a complex area that requires further research in a larger group of participants. Full article

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing worldwide, and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and diabetes distress are common co-morbidities that negatively impact the quality of life, complications, and treatment outcomes of patients with DM. Objectives: In this study, we assessed the impact of dietary patterns and physical activity on the well-being of patients with DM. Methods: A cross-sectional design and data from the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) data collected in Hungary in 2019, and determination of the relationship between dietary habits and physical activity-related variables contained in the data and the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5 index) by suitable statistical methods. Results: Logistic regression showed higher odds of poor mental well-being in females (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.08–2.42) and lower odds with daily fruit intake (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.31–0.89). Infrequent white meat (OR = 3.34, 95% CI: 1.35–8.22) and dairy intake (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.18–2.64) were associated with poorer well-being. Walking 4–7 days/week reduced the odds by 57% (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.23–0.83). Conclusions: The results demonstrate that regular exercise and the consumption of fruits, dairy products, and white meat have beneficial effects on the mental well-being of patients with DM. Full article

Objectives: This longitudinal study measured changes in adherence to sustainable healthy diets in 698 Chilean children (aged 3–6 years at baseline) over the period that Chile’s Food Labelling and Advertising Law was implemented. Methods: Dietary data were collected annually from 2016 to 2019 applying single multiple-pass 24 h dietary recalls to children’s primary caretakers. The Planetary Health Diet Index for Children and Adolescents (PHDI-C) was used to quantify adherence to sustainable healthy diets where higher scores indicate better adherence. Linear mixed models were fitted to estimate the change in PHDI-C total and individual component scores from 2016 to 2019. Results: Mean total PHDI-C score decreased from 50.1 points in 2016 to 46.3 and 46.1 in 2018 and 2019, respectively (p-value < 0.001), suggesting that children’s overall adherence to sustainable healthy diets was low and decreased over time. Intake of legumes, fruits, dark green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, and vegetable oils decreased, while intake of palm oil, red meats, and animal fats increased, resulting in small but significant declines in eight PHDI-C component scores. Whole cereal intake increased, while the consumption of dairy products and added sugars decreased, resulting in improvements in three PHDI-C component scores. Conclusions: Aside from the decrease in added sugar intake, all dietary changes observed in this study were consistent with trends described among children transitioning from pre-school age to school age. The Law might have contributed to reducing children’s added sugar intake, but further research is required to establish causality. Full article

The cost-effective rearing of heifers depends on the provision of adequate nutrients at an appropriate age to meet nutrient requirements for growth and production. The objective of the present study was to investigate how the time of switching to a rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) source affects the ruminal fermentation and growth performance of Holstein dairy calves. A total of 36 Holstein female calves were randomly allocated to one of three dietary treatments on day 28 or 42 of life. In the first 28 days of life, they were on the same soybean meal (SBM)-based starter diet containing 22.2% crude protein with 37% RUP. The RUP content of the experimental diet was increased to 48% by a total replacement of the original SBM with xylose-treated soybean meal (XSBM). The following treatments were used: (1) starter diet containing SBM from d 28 (SBM28); (2) starter diet containing XSBM from d 28 (XSBM28); and (3) starter diet containing XSBM from d 42 (XSBM42). All the calves were fed a constant amount of milk (4 L/d), weaned on day 60, and then remained in the experiment until day 70 of life. The results showed that neither feed intake nor BW were influenced by the treatments in the pre-weaning period (days 28 to 60). The calves fed the XSBM28 and XSBM42 diets had greater daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio compared to those on the SBM28 diet post-weaning from day 61 to 70 (p < 0.05). The inclusion of XSBM in the starter diets from days 28 and 42 increased the calves’ height pre- and post-weaning (p < 0.05). The ruminal pH and concentrations of butyrate and iso-butyrate were higher at weaning when the calves were fed the XSBM diets. The calves fed the XSBM diets had less ammonia-N and total short-chain fatty acids at day 70 of life (p < 0.05) and a lower neutral detergent fiber digestibility in the post-weaning period (p < 0.05). The fecal scores and blood metabolites were not different among the treatments. The results showed that increasing the RUP content from 37% to 48% in the starter diets by a total replacement of SBM with XSBM during the pre-weaning period may improve the growth performance around weaning. A later replacement at 42 days of life appears equally effective compared to a replacement at 28 days of life. Full article

Background: On 18 April 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the first food package changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in over a decade, which reduced some food benefits (juice, milk, canned fish, and infant fruits and vegetables) and offered substitutes (cash-value vouchers (CVVs) or cash-value benefits (CVBs) to redeem for fruits and vegetables, cheese, soymilk, or other dairy products). Methods: To assess the impact of the changes on the consumption and redemption of these food groups, a systematic search was conducted, identifying 23 peer-reviewed publications between 2010 and 2024. Results: They revealed significant shifts in consumption after the 2009 food package changes; e.g., a decline in 100% juice intake following reductions in juice allowances. Additionally, the review highlighted that the 2009 WIC food package revision was associated with more fruit and vegetable consumption after the increase in CVV allowance. While including milk alternatives like soy-based beverages or lactose-free milk or cheese may improve redemption rates and WIC program satisfaction, the long-term impacts of these proposed changes remain unknown. No research was identified on the consumption of canned fish. Conclusions: This review contributes to understanding the changes in redemption and consumption after the last WIC food package changes, identifies the knowledge gap about prospective impacts, and recommends that the WIC agencies implement appropriate evaluations to promote health and nutrition among vulnerable populations. Full article

Accurate prediction of protein utilization in dairy cows is essential for optimizing nutrition and milk yield to achieve sustainable cattle production. This study aimed to develop novel machine learning models to predict rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) and duodenal microbial nitrogen (MicN) based on dietary protein intake. A dataset comprising 1779 observations from 436 scientific publications was used to train support vector regression (SVR) and random forest regression (RFR) models. Different predictor sets were identified for each model, including factors such as days in milk (DIM), dry matter intake (DMI), dietary fiber content, and crude protein fractions. Model performance was evaluated using statistical metrics, including the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), with results compared to existing NASEM (2021) models. The RFR model provided the most precise and unbiased predictions for RUP (R² = 0.60, RMSEP = 0.326 kg/d, CCC = 0.71), while the SVR model was most effective for MicN (R² = 0.76, RMSEP = 42.4 g/d, CCC = 0.86). Both models outperformed traditional methods, demonstrating the potential of machine learning in improving protein utilization predictions. Future studies could explore hybrid approaches integrating conventional and AI-based models to enhance predictive accuracy. Full article

Water-soluble B vitamins, mainly obtained through dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products, act as co-factors in various biochemical processes, including DNA synthesis, repair, methylation, and energy metabolism. These vitamins include B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B5 (Pantothenic Acid), B6 (Pyridoxine), B7 (Biotin), B9 (Folate), and B12 (Cobalamin). Recent studies have shown that besides their fundamental physiological roles, B vitamins influence oncogenic metabolic pathways, including glycolysis (Warburg effect), mitochondrial function, and nucleotide biosynthesis. Although deficiencies in these vitamins are associated with several complications, emerging evidence suggests that excessive intake of specific B vitamins may also contribute to cancer progression and interfere with therapy due to impaired metabolic and genetic functions. This review discusses the tumor-suppressive and tumor-progressive roles of B vitamins in cancer. It also explores the recent evidence on a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between B vitamin metabolism and cancer progression and underscores the need for further research to determine the optimal balance of B vitamin intake for cancer prevention and therapy. Full article

In the diet of calves, the search for additives that aid in their development is essential due to the impact that these can generate throughout their lives, resulting in a relationship with their longevity and the maintenance of the herd. Yuca schidigera has been used in ruminant diets, impacting health and performance; however, there are few reports on its intake by dairy cattle in the rearing phase. Therefore, this study’s objective was to evaluate whether adding Yucca schidigera to the diet of calves in the rearing phase can benefit health, productive performance, and feed efficiency. The study was conducted over 60 days, with 24 calves divided into two groups: G1 had no added Yucca schidigera and G2 had 188 mg of Yucca schidigera added per kg of dry matter intake. Data and samples were collected at 30-day intervals. No treatment effect was observed in body weight, weight gain, daily weight gain, or feed intake (p > 0.05); however, the calves in G2 showed 26.3% lower feed efficiency than those in G1. Using the concentrate consumption of the calves, the amount of Yucca schidigera ingested was calculated, i.e., 555 mg/calf/day. The total leukocyte count was significantly lower in the calves in G2 compared to G1 on the 60th day. No effect from the treatment or treatment × day interaction was observed for the hematologic variables: erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and platelets. The activities of the enzyme’s gamma glutamyl transferase and aspartate aminotransferase were higher in the animals in group G2. There was no effect from the treatment on albumin, globulin, total protein, C-reactive protein, glucose, cholesterol, urea, or amylase. There was a treatment × day interaction for levels of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione S-transferase, which were higher in the blood of calves in group G2 compared to the control. The activity of myeloperoxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase did not differ between groups. Tumor necrosis factor and interleukins (IL-1 and IL-6) in the serum of calves that consumed Yucca schidigera were higher on day 60 compared to the control. A higher concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the ruminal fluid was observed in animals in group G2 compared to G1, primarily due to the higher levels of acetic acid. The amounts of propionate and butyrate were lower in the ruminal fluid of calves in group G2. These results allow us to conclude that the consumption of Yucca schidigera at a dose of 555 mg/animal/day interferes with calves’ metabolism and negatively affects feed efficiency. Full article

After milking, dairy cows seek the nearest water trough, but access depends on competitive success. This study descriptively characterized individual drinking behavior after milking in association with physiological traits and competitive success in a herd of 42 lactating Brown Swiss cows held in a free-range barn. Cows were milked and fed twice a day, and the drinking behavior was video recorded after leaving the milking parlor during 22 milkings in July 2022. Water consumption and 33 behavioral parameters were recorded. Competitive success was defined by an index calculation. Milk production traits correlated positively with the number of trough visits, the total duration of drinking, the duration of water intake and drinking breaks, and the water volume consumed. High-yielding dairy cows exhibited twice as many agonistic interactions as low-yielding ones, suggesting that performance-based grouping increases aggressive interactions. Further, subtle dominance interactions, such as “staring”, comprise a major part of confrontations at the trough. Cows with low competitive success more frequently pursued other activities before they drank and were more frequently interrupted by agonistic interactions. Considering body and performance traits in association with individual drinking patterns in evaluating on-farm water management seemed valuable, therefore, a review of current recommendations for water supply is suggested. Full article

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of including guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) in the diet of Jersey cows during their first lactation, evaluating the effects on the ruminal environment, productivity, milk composition and quality, and hematological variables. The study used 18 Jersey animals in their first lactation with 230 days of lactation. The study lasted 28 days: 14 days of adaptation, and 14 days for data and sample collection. The animals were housed in a compost barn confinement system and milking was performed by a robotic system. The cows were randomly divided into two groups of nine each, a control group and a treatment group (guanidinoacetic acid at a dose of 10 g animal/day). The animals were fed individually provided at three times, with weighing of the leftovers whenever necessary. The diet was formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of the animals, using the Nutrient Requirements of Dairy 2001 and considering an average daily production of 20 L/cow. The animals in the treatment group showed higher feed intake compared to the control group, and consequently, milk production was also higher in the treatment group. No difference was observed between the groups for milk efficiency, since the increase in production is directly related to the increase in intake of the treated animals. The cows that consumed GAA had a higher percentage of total milk solids; however, there was no significant effect on the percentage of fat, protein, lactose and fatty acid profile. Greater bacterial activity was observed in the ruminal fluid, which may have improved degradation and increased the rate of passage of the feed, resulting in greater milk production. There was no effect of the treatment on the volatile fatty acid profile in the rumen. A treatment × day interaction for beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration in the blood was observed, with lower levels observed in the animals in the treatment group. The total leukocyte count was lower in the blood of cows that consumed GAA as a result of the lower lymphocyte count. On days 21 and 28, a higher concentration of total cholesterol was observed, associated with lower activity of the enzymes creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the serum of cows in the treatment group compared to the control group. On day 28, lower lipid peroxidation (TBARS) associated with an increase in antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase) was observed in cows that consumed GAA. The results allow us to conclude that the addition of GAA to the diet of dairy cows has positive effects on zootechnical performance. Full article

In hay milk production, fermented feed, like silage, is forbidden. This study aims to reveal the presence of silages made from maize or grass in the diet of dairy cows through the detection of cyclopropane fatty acids (CPFAs) in their milk. It also investigates how CPFAs in their milk declines when the diets of the cows are transitioned from one containing silage to one that does not include silage. CPFAs were quantified in silages collected on the farm, and the relationship between the dietary intake of CPFAs from silages and the marker concentration in milk was investigated. Except for one sample (below LOQ), CPFAs were never detected in hay milk, while they were found in 98% and 85% of milk samples obtained from cows whose diet included maize or grass silage as the only fermented component, respectively. CPFAs were found to still be detectable in milk 56 days after the removal of maize silage from the diet, while they were no longer detectable about three weeks after removing grass silage from the ration. A quantitative positive relationship was detected between CPFAs content in the milk and the dietary intake of CPFAs from silages. CPFAs can be regarded as reliable markers to detect the occurrence of silages in the ration, but it is more effective for maize than for grass silage. Full article

To enhance the sustainability of marginal olive and dairy farms in the Sorrento peninsula, two separate crossover trials were conducted on two farms in the area to evaluate olive pruning residue (OlPr) and olive mill leaves (OlLes) as forage sources for lactating cows. Each trial lasted six weeks and consisted of two treatment periods, each including a 15-day adaptation phase followed by a 6-day measurement phase. During the measurement phase, milk production, feed intake, and olive residue consumption were assessed for two homogeneous cow groups: one receiving a ration supplemented with olive by-products and the other receiving a control diet. The olive-supplemented groups exhibited higher dry matter intake and roughage consumption (hay + olive residue) compared to the control groups. The intake of OlLes was about 30% higher than that of OlPr. Compared to the respective control, milk from OlLe-fed cows a had higher fat content and a higher fat-to-protein ratio, a more favorable fatty acid composition in terms of higher monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid contents, a reduced atherogenic index, and a saturated-to-unsaturated ratio. Likely due to the lower level of olive by-product ingestion, only marginal differences were observed in milk fatty acid composition of cows fed OlPr compared to the control. We conclude that the use of OlLes in dairy cow diets may represent a promising strategy for improving milk quality, promoting a more circular agricultural system, reducing reliance on external feed inputs, and mitigating the environmental impact of both olive and milk production. Full article

Heat stress is a major concern for lactating dairy cows. This study evaluated the effects of heat stress on six Holstein-Friesian crossbred dairy cows exposed to three thermal conditions represented by the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI). These conditions included a baseline pre-treatment phase at THI-72, a heat stress treatment phase at THI-75 and THI-80, and a post-treatment recovery phase at THI-72. The duration of the heat stress treatment phase was 24 h. A total of four trials, each involving three cows, were conducted in an IoT-based climatic chamber to assess various physiological, hematological, biochemical, and production parameters across these phases. Compared to the baseline (THI-72), cows showed significant increases (p < 0.05) in rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), and water intake (WI) at both THI-75 and THI-80, with the highest elevations observed at THI-80 (RT: 5.1%, HR: 8.6%, RR: 23.5%, and WI: 19.1%). Feed intake declined significantly (p < 0.05) by 6.5% and 14.0%, and milk yield dropped by 5.3% and 14.7% at THI-75 and THI-80, respectively; milk fat and protein percentages decreased by 1.1-fold and 1.2-fold. Hemoglobin, platelet, and lymphocyte counts, along with biochemical parameters (excluding serum creatinine) also decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The different levels of THI influenced pairwise correlation patterns, with THI-75 showing intense interactions and THI-80 exhibiting greater variability. The findings highlight that Holstein-Friesian crossbred dairy cows are particularly vulnerable to heat stress, even with short-term exposure. This vulnerability can lead to economic losses for Bangladeshi dairy farmers rearing Holstein-Friesian crossbred cows. Full article

Background/Objectives: The rise in chronic metabolic diseases has led to the exploration of alternative diets. The carnivore diet, consisting exclusively of animal products, has gained attention, anecdotally, for imparting benefit for inflammatory conditions beyond that possible by other restrictive dietary approaches. The aim was to assess the micronutrient adequacy of four versions of the carnivore diet against national nutrient reference values (NRVs). Methods: This study assessed the nutrient adequacy of the carnivore diet against national NRVs from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and New Zealand Ministry of Health. Four meal plans for hypothetical average Australian adults were developed and analysed using Foodworks.online (Version 1, Xyris Pty Ltd., Brisbane, Australia, 2024), dietary software. Two female and two male plans were included; one set including dairy products and the other set including offal. Results: The carnivore diet met several NRV thresholds for nutrients such as riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, zinc, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, selenium, and Vitamin A, and exceeded the sodium threshold. However, it fell short in thiamin, magnesium, calcium, and Vitamin C, and in iron, folate, iodine and potassium in some cases. Fibre intake was significantly below recommended levels. Conclusion: The carnivore diet may offer benefits for managing certain chronic conditions. Whether the metabolic contexts from consuming such a diet facilitates a lower requirement of certain nutrients, or whether it poses risks of micronutrient inadequacies remains to be determined. Tailored nutritional guidance and supplementation strategies are recommended to ensure careful consideration of micronutrient intake to prevent deficiencies. Full article