The Technical and Financial Effects of Parenteral Supplementation with Selenium and Vitamin E during Late Pregnancy and the Early Lactation Period on the Productivity of Dairy Cattle

This study aimed to determine the effects of parenteral selenium (Se) and vitamin E supplementation on economic impact, milk yield, and some reproductive parameters in high-yield dairy cows in the dry period and in those at the beginning of lactation. At the beginning of the dry period, cows (n = 323) were randomly divided into three groups as follows: Treatment 1 (T1), Treatment 2 (T2), and Control (C). Cows in group T1 received this preparation 21 days before calving and on calving day, and cows in group T2 received it only on calving day. The cows in the control group did not receive this preparation. Supplementation with Se increased Se serum levels of cows treated at calving day (p<0.05). Differences in milk yield at all weeks and the electrical conductivity values at the 8th and 12th weeks were significant (p<0.05). Supplementation with Se and Vitamin E decreased the incidence of metritis, the number of services per conception and the service period, but had no effects on the incidence of retained fetal membrane. A partial budgeting analysis indicated that Se supplementation was economically profitable; cows in group T1 averaged 240.6$per cow, those in group T2 averaged 224.6$ per cow. Supplementation with Se and Vitamin E has been found to increase serum Se levels, milk yield, and has positive effects on udder health by decreasing milk conductivity values and incidence of sub-clinical mastitis

Expression profiles of Interferon-Tau Stimulated Genes (ISGs) in Peripheral Blood Leucocytes (PBLs) and milk cells in pregnant dairy cows [Sütçü gebe İneklerde Periferal Kan Lökositleri (PBLs) ve Süt Hücrelerindeki Interferon-Tau Stimulated Genlerinin (ISGs) ekspresyon profili]

In previous reports, it was indicated that measurement of activity of Interferon-tau Stimulated Genes (ISGs) in Peripheral Blood Leucocytes (PBLs) may be used as an alternative early pregnancy detection method in dairy cows. However, there are no data showing the expression profiles of ISGs in other body fluids containing leucocytes such as milk. In the present study, it was hypothesized that leucocytes in milk samples may reflect the increases in expression profiles of ISGs as shown in PBLs. For this purpose, nine pregnant lactating Holstein cows were used. Insemination day was accepted as day zero (day 0). Blood and milk samples were collected on day 0 and 18 after insemination for cell isolation. Total RNA was extracted from isolated cells and converted to cDNA. Steady state levels of Interferon-tau Stimulated Gene 15 (ISG15), Myxovirus (influenza virus) resistance 1 (MX1) and 2 (MX2) mRNA transcripts were assayed by using real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Relative Expression Software Tool (REST2009) was used for statistical analyses. There was no statistical significant difference for expression levels of ISG15, MX1 and MX2 mRNAs between days 0 and 18 in milk samples. However, when compared to day 0, levels of ISG15 and MX2 transcripts were increased 6.97±0.68 fold and 5.84±1.27 fold on day 18 in PBLs in pregnant cows, respectively (P<0.05). According to this result, it may be suggested that milk cells are not suitable measurement of expression profiles of ISGs to detect early pregnancy in lactating dairy cows

Expression profiles of Interferon-tau Stimulated Genes in milk cells in pregnant dairy cows

17th Annual Conference of the European-Society-of-Domestic-Animal-Reproduction (ESDAR) -- SEP 12-14, 2013 -- Univ Bologna, Bologna, ITALYWOS: 000323318700033…European Soc Domest Anim Reprod (ESDAR), Fatro, Sexing Technologies, Virbac, Minitube, Michelson Prize&Grants, Biophos, Proiser, Chemometec, IMV Technologies, Alma Mater Studiorum Univ Bologna, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Assogen