Einfluss unterschiedlicher Kraftfuttermengen auf klinische und pansenhistologische Parameter bei abgesetzten Ziegenkitzen

The objective of this study was to examine the influences of different levels of grain in the ration on clinical parameters and histological variables of the rumen epithelium. Seventeen 4-months old goats were allocated to three feeding groups (hay, 30 % grain, 60 % grain). After an adaptation time of three weeks the goats were fed four weeks the experimental ration, weekly adjusted to the body weight. Pulse, respiration, rumen activity and fecal consistency were recorded at the beginning and the end of the adaptation and experimental period, respectively. In the first and fifth week rumen liquid was collected via tube. At the end of the experiment goats were euthanized and rumen liquid was collected for pH measuring, and rumen epithelium for histological examination. Feeding grain in 4 months old goats had influence on clinical parameters (within physiological ranges) and fecal score. A differentiation of the rumen epithelium was recorded with thickness of the stratum corneum. Feeding more grain was associated with lowered rumen pH. In conclusion, although clinical and histological changes were detected in goats in response to feeding different amounts of grain, these changes did not show consequences for clinical health except for fecal consistency

Associations between Forkhead Box O1 (FoxO1) Expression and Indicators of Hepatic Glucose Production in Transition Dairy Cows Supplemented with Dietary Nicotinic Acid

Forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) is a transcription factor which promotes hepatic glucose production (HGP) by up-regulating the transcription of gluconeogenic enzymes in monogastric species. The activity of FoxO1 is inhibited by insulin-induced phosphorylation. The aims of the present study were to find associations between FoxO1 expression and variables associated with HGP as affected by feeding regimen in dairy cows during the transition period. Twenty one healthy German Holstein cows were allocated to four groups (LC-CON, HC-CON, LC-NA with 5 cows/group and HC-NA with 6 cows/group, respectively). Cows received 0 (LC-CON and HC-CON) or 24 (LC-NA and HC-NA) g/d nicotinic acid with high (HC) or low (LC) concentrate proportion from -42 days (-41.8 + 4.8;mean + standard deviation) relative to expected calving date (d-42) to d24. Liver biopsy was taken at d-42, 1, 21, and 100. The total protein expression of FoxO1 (tFoxO1) and the extent of phosphorylation of FoxO1 at serine 256 (pFoxO1) were analysed semiquantitatively by Western Blotting. The expression of hepatic mRNA of FoxO1 and seven genes associated with HGP was measured by real-time RT-PCR. Mixed model and Pearson's correlation were used for statistical evaluation with the level of significance at P<0.05. No dietary effect was observed either on feed intake, energy balance, or on the concentration of blood metabolites. Neither time nor diet affected the expression of FoxO1 total protein and mRNA. A NA x concentrate interaction was found in pFoxO1. However, no corresponding dietary effect was found in the mRNA expression of investigated genes. Different patterns of correlations between FoxO1-related variables and investigated indicators for HGP were found at d21 and 100. The results indicated that the regulation of HGP did not take place on the levels of mRNA and protein expression and the phosphorylation of FoxO1 in dairy cows in early lactation

Relative Bioavailability of Niacin Supplements for Dairy Cows: Effects of Rumen Protection and of Feed Processing

The present study aimed to examine the effective systemic bioavailability of niacin— with particular focus on its galenic form—and feed processing. Experiment 1 was conducted with 35 dairy cows to investigate the effects of various doses of oral supplemented nicotinic acid (NA) either in differing galenic forms (non-rumen protected (nRP) vs. rumen protected form (RP)) on serum niacin concentrations. Experiment 2 was designed as a pharmacokinetic study examining the serum niacin kinetics over 24 h after giving a single oral bolus of 24 g nRP or RP NA admixed in either pelleted or ground concentrate. In both experiments, only the niacin vitamer nicotinamide (NAM) was detected. Results of experiment 1 showed that both galenic forms at a dose of 24 g/cow daily elevated NAM concentrations at the beginning of the experiment. Despite a daily supplementation, NAM concentrations decreased continuously towards the end of the experiment which was more steeply in nRP NA (p = 0.03). On experimental day 21, NAM concentrations were higher when feeding RP NA (p = 0.03) and the highest dose (24 g/day and cow) (p &lt; 0.01). Results of experiment 2 indicated that nRP and RP were characterized by similar pharmacokinetic profiles resulting in similar areas under the curves as a net result of the kinetic counterbalancing alterations. Pelleting seemed not to influence the relative bioavailability

Effects of Prepartum Dietary Energy Level and Nicotinic Acid Supplementation on Immunological, Hematological and Biochemical Parameters of Periparturient Dairy Cows Differing in Parity

The periparturient period is critical according to health, productivity and profitability. As this period is fundamental for the success of the lactation period, the interest in improving periparturient health by dietary supplements increased in recent years. The present study investigated the effects of feeding nicotinic acid (NA) combined with varying dietary energy densities on immunological, hematological and biochemical parameters of periparturient cows differing in parity. Thirty-six multiparous and 20 primiparous dairy cows were enrolled in the study 42 days before expected parturition date until 100 days postpartum with the half of the cows being supplemented with 24 g of NA/d. After parturition a diet with 30% concentrate was fed to all cows which was followed by different concentrate escalation strategies. Dietary NA supplementation was ceased on day 24 postpartum. Dietary NA increased (P = 0.010) serum nicotinamide concentrations (mean of 3.35 ± 1.65 µg/mL), whereas NA could not be detected. Present data emphasize that periparturient cows are faced with major physiological challenges and that both parity-groups have different prerequisites to adapt to those changes irrespective of NA supplementation. The overfeeding of energy to cows which were similar in body condition score had only minor effects on periparturient immune system function and the metabolism of those cows

FoxO1 total protein expression (tFoxO1) (A) and the extent of phosphorylation of FoxO1 at serine 256 (pFoxO1) (B) in liver of cows.

<p>Data are shown in least squares means with standard errors in each group and at each time point. The results of type 3 test for the effects of time and diets are shown in the table under the diagrams. LC-CON (n = 5), HC-CON (n = 5), LC-NA (n = 5), HC-NA (n = 6): “CON or NA”: Dietary supplement of nicotinic acid (0 or 24 g/d) from d-42 to d24, “LC or HC”: 30 or 60% of concentrate proportion in the diet from d-42 to d0, increase in concentrate proportion in the diet after calving from 30 to 50% within 16 or 24 days. d: Days related to calving, N: Nicotinic acid, C: Concentrate proportion in the diet, d×N, d×C, N×C, d×N×C: Interaction effects of d, N, C, tFoxO1: Total protein expression of forkhead box protein O1, pFoxO1: Extent of phosphorylation of FoxO1 at serine 256.</p

Correlations between FoxO1-related variables and other investigated variables in the hepatic metabolic pathways related to gluconeogenesis.

<p>To demonstrate correlations graphically, the scheme was adopted to one published by Aschenbach et al. [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0146670#pone.0146670.ref011" target="_blank">11</a>]. Pearson’s correlation analyses were performed using the data set from d21 (A) and d100 (B) (N = 21 dairy cows for each). Variables with positive correlations were connected by green solid lines and those with negative correlations by red dotted lines. The level of significance was at least P ≤ 0.01. The metabolites connected by black arrows show the representative metabolic pathways related to gluconeogenesis (not investigated, OAA: Oxaloacetate, PEP: Phosphoenolpyruvate, Glucose-6-P: Glucose-6-phosphate). The variables other than DMI used in the correlation analysis are shown in boxes (blue, red, white for hepatic protein expression, hepatic mRNA expression, and blood metabolites, respectively). FoxO1: Forkhead box protein O1, tFoxO1: Total protein expression of FoxO1, pFoxO1: Extent of phosphorylation of FoxO1 at serine 256, pFo/tFo: pFoxO1-to-tFoxO1 ratio, PCCA: Propionyl CoA carboxylase A, PC: Pyruvate carboxylase, PCK1: Cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, G6P: Glucose-6-phosphatase, SLC2A2: Glucose transporter 2 (solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member 2), IRA, IRB: Insulin receptor isoform A and B, PYGL: Glycogen phosphorylase, liver form, DMI: Dry matter intake, NEFA: Serum concentration of non-esterified fatty acid, Insulin: Insulin serum concentration.</p