effects of three different diets on the fatty acid profile and sensory properties of fresh pecorino cheese primo sale

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Estrus Detection in a Dairy Herd Using an Electronic Nose by Direct Sampling on the Perineal Region

Estrus detection is very important for the profitability of dairy herds. Different automatic systems for estrus detection have been developed over the last decades. Our study aimed to assess the ability of the electronic nose (EN) MENT-EGAS prototype to detect estrus, based on odor release from the perineal headspace in dairy cattle by direct sampling. The study was performed in an Italian dairy farm using 35 multiparous Holstein–Friesian cows. The cows were divided into three groups: group I included 10 lactating 5-month pregnant cows, group II included 19 lactating cycling cows, and group III included 6 cows that were artificially inseminated 18 days before the trial. Odors from the perineal headspace were collected using the MENT-EGAS prototype. In group I, odors were collected once a day for 5 consecutive days. In group II, odors were collected twice daily from day 18 until day 1 of the reproductive cycle. In group III, odors were also collected twice daily from the presumable day 18 of gestation until day 22. Principal component analyses (PCA) of the perineal headspace samples were performed. PCA in group I revealed no significant discrimination. PCA in group II revealed clear discrimination between proestrus and estrus, and between estrus and metestrus but no significant discrimination was obtained between proestrus and metestrus. PCA in group III revealed that in four cows the results were similar to group I and in two cows the results were similar to group II. On day 40 of the presumable pregnancy, the ultrasound examination revealed that only the four cows were pregnant and the other two cows were regularly cycling. On the basis of our findings, we conclude that it is possible to accurately detect estrus in dairy cattle from directly collected odor samples using the MENT-EGAS prototype. This represents the first study of estrus detection using an EN detection by direct sampling. EN technologies, such as MENT-EGAS, could be applied in the future in dairy cattle farms as a precise, non-invasive method for estrus detection

Study of inflammatory markers in dairy cows exposed to grain-rich diet

Grain-rich diets are commonly fed to cows in modern dairy herds, exposing cows to the risk of development of Subclinical Acidosis (SARA). This research aims to explore the effects of SARA on inflammatory status of animals. For this purpose, 3 groups of 8 multiparous cows each, enrolled around 60 DIM, were housed in the experimental tie stall barn of the University and fed an acidogenic diet for 4 weeks. This diet had a forage: concentrate ratio of 25:75, while the pre-challenge diet had a F:C ratio of 45:55. During this period, individual dry matter and water intake and rumen pH were recorded continuously and blood was sampled 8 times: the first time before the beginning of the trial (day 0), 4 times in the 1st week to evaluate the acute response (day 1, 2, 3 and 7) and then at day 14, 21 and 28. On each sample, complete haematologic and biochemical profile were determined, together with IFN-γ, IL-1β and IL-6. Data were statistically analysed with a mixed model with time point, group and interactions as fixed effects and animal as random effect. Significant effects were then compared between time points with a t-student test. As expected, rumen pH was reduced with the high concentrate diet: time with pH below 5.8 and 5.5 was significantly longer compared to the pre-challenge period (305 vs. 290 min/d < 5.8 and 53 vs. 34 min/d < 5.5). Blood analysis revealed an acute phase response of the organism following the acidogenic diet. In particular, IL-6 increased significantly after 7 days of challenge (+473 pg/mL, p<.05), as well as serum amyloid A and ceruloplasmin that, compared to T0, reached their maximum after 2 and 3 weeks respectively (+125.15 μg/mL and +0.62 μmol/L, p<.05). Accordingly, albumin decreased constantly after the intake of the experimental diet getting the minimum after 4 weeks of trial indicating a status of chronic inflammation (−1.69 g/L, p<.01). Reactive Oxygen Metabolites (ROMs) increased after 7 days of acidotic diet and remained high until the end of the trial, with a peak after 3 weeks (+3.53 mg H2O2/100 mL, p<.01). Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) begins to decrease after 2 weeks of trial and reached the minimum after 21 days (−18.44 μmol/L, p<.01), confirming together with ROMs levels, the presence of oxidative stress in these animals. These results show that an excessive content of concentrates in the diet can trigger an inflammatory response that could have important consequences on the health of high producing or fresh animals

The Use of Monensin for Ketosis Prevention in Dairy Cows during the Transition Period: A Systematic Review

Since the approval by the European Medicines Agency in 2013 of a monensin controlled-release capsule (CRC) for the prevention of ketosis in dairy cows, there has been widespread use across Europe. In recent decades, several papers have investigated the effects of monensin used as a CRC or as a feed additive to improve cattle energy metabolism and improve feed efficiency. Since the CRC is the only form of monensin permitted in Europe in dairy cows, the objective of this review was to report and summarize observations from the literature on the effects of this treatment in transition cows. The peer-reviewed literature published from 1997 was scanned, and papers written in English were evaluated for eligibility. Only papers evaluating the use of monensin in dairy cows for the prevention of ketosis during the transition period were reviewed. In total, 42 papers met the required criteria and were included in this review. The major findings focused on cow metabolism and health, rumen fermentation and milk production and quality. Overall, the review of the existing literature confirmed that monensin delivered as a CRC during the transition period has effects of different magnitude compared to other forms, doses or durations of administration. Studies agree on the antiketotic effects of this treatment, showing evidence of an increased propionate production in the rumen, reduced blood β-hydroxybutyrate, and improved liver function in treated cows, mainly resulting in reduced incidence of peripartum disease. On the contrary, the effects of CRC on ammonia production and rumen microflora are less robust than those reported for other forms. Of importance for the European market is the well-documented absence of any negative impact on milk and cheese production and composition using the CRC treatment

Potential of Fruits and Vegetable By-Products as an Alternative Feed Source for Sustainable Ruminant Nutrition and Production: A Review

The agro-food industry produces tons of waste at different stages in the food production process, creating a massive ecological crisis. If implemented, the use of fruit and vegetable by-products (FVBPs) in animal nutrition has the potential to lessen the environmental footprint of the food production chain, lower animal feeding costs, and improve the quality and sustainability of animal products. Recent research on the inclusion of FVBPs, naturally enriched with polyphenols, in the diets of small and large ruminants has shown some promising outcomes, which we discuss in this review. The effects of FVBPs on digestion, rumen fermentation, methane emissions, rumen liquor fatty acid profile, and milk production are examined. Due to the chemical composition and the presence of certain bioactive compounds, FVBPs are capable of influencing the ruminal and intestinal ecosystem through improved kinetics of fermentation. Several in vivo studies have demonstrated that the dietary inclusion of FVBPs resulted in improved milk production and composition without any negative effect on animal performance. Using FVBPs as an alternative to conventional feedstuffs may promote sustainable animal production and nutrition. However, it must be stressed that the efficacy of these feed supplements is conditional on the source, kind, and quantity employed