• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2006

Twenty small-scale farms of two villages (A and B) were surveyed to identify the feeding traits, milk productivity and nutritional status of lactating cattle and buffalo in Terai, Nepal. Constituents and dry matter (DM) of feed supplied, body condition score (BCS), heart girth (HG), bodyweight (BW), milk yield (MY) and plasma metabolites were obtained in the pasture-sufficient, pasture-decreasing and fodder-shortage periods. Milk yield of 305-day lactation was estimated by the daily MY. The supplies of rice straw and native grass were lower and higher in the pasture-sufficient period than in the other periods, respectively (5.5 kg/day vs. 9.8 kg/day and 3.2 kg/day vs. 0.4 kg/day, respectively, p<0.01). The roughage-supplement rates of the animals were higher in village A than in village B (5.0 vs. 2.2 in cattle and 9.3 vs. 1.8 in buffalo, p<0.01). The variance of feed constituents among the periods and between the villages induced different supplies of CP, NDF and TDN. The concentrations of CP and TDN in the cattle feed were higher in the pasture-sufficient period than in the other periods (9.1% vs. 7.3% and 57.4% vs. 51.0%, respectively, p<0.01). The supplies of CP for cattle and buffalo, and of TDN for buffalo were lower in village A than in village B (7.5% vs. 8.7% and 6.6% vs. 9.1% [p<0.01], and 53.1% vs. 56.2% [p<0.05], respectively). The BCS, HG and BW of the animals were lower in village A than in village B (2.51 vs. 2.86, 156 cm vs. 170 cm and 300 kg vs. 318 kg, respectively in cattle, 2.83 vs. 4.00, 186 cm vs. 216 cm and 429 kg vs. 531 kg, respectively in buffalo, p<0.01). The cattle yielded more milk in the pasture-sufficient period than in the other periods (7.9 liters/day vs. 6.6 liters/day, p<0.01). The 305-day MY of cattle that calved in the fodder-shortage period was lower than that of cattle that calved in the other periods (1,900 liters vs. 2,251 liters, p<0.01). The MYs of cattle and buffalo were lower in village A than in village B (6.2 liters/day vs. 8.1 liters/day and 3.7 liters/day vs. 7.7 liters/day, respectively, p<0.01). The 305-day MY of cattle was lower in village A than in village B (1,935 liters vs. 2,409 liters, p<0.01). The concentrations of plasma albumin and urea nitrogen in cattle were lower in village A than in village B (3.2 g/dl vs. 3.4 g/dl [p<0.01] and 7.4 mg/dl vs. 10.2 mg/dl [p<0.05], respectively). The different supplies of CP, NDF and TDN among the periods and between the villages might have affected MY and nutritional status in cattle and buffalo. It was likely that the lower supplies of CP and TDN for cattle that calved in the fodder-shortage period and in village A lowered the 305-day MY of cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.1118-1124
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• 2001

Fifteen lactating crossbred cows were randomly allotted to three groups of 5 each, and fed three isoproteinous concentrate mixture varying in RDP and UDP ratios, viz. 71: 29 (T1) and 58: 42 (T2) and 44: 56 (T3), along with green maize and wheat straw given as 2/3 and 1/3 of total roughage respectively, for a period of 120 days. The DM intake (kg/d) differed significantly (p<0.01) among the treatments as well as among the fortnights over a period of 120 days. DMI (kg/d) progressively increased from first to eighth fortnight in all the treatments. The daily DMI (% BW) was significantly (p<0.01) lower in T1 (2.37) than those of T2 (2.82) and T3 (2.67). The body weights of cows decreased up to 4th fortnight in T1 and up to 3rd fortnight in T2 and T3, then it showed an increasing trend till the end of the experiment in all the treatments. Cows in T1 lost 10 kg body weight but cows in T2 and T3 gained 23 and 12 kg the body weight, respectively. Both the milk and FCM yield differed significantly (p<0.01) among the fortnights. The FCM yield increased up to 2nd fortnight in all the treatments and thereafter, the FCM yield declined gradually as the lactation advanced. The FCM yield (kg/d) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T3 (10.47) than in T2 (9.81) and T1 (9.68), however, milk yield, SCM yield and milk energy yield did not differ among the treatments as well as among the fortnights. Fat and protein % in milk increased as the lactation advanced. However, fortnightly SNF % in milk showed an irregular trend. The % fat, protein, SNF and total solids in milk differed significantly (p<0.01) among the fortnights. The % fat and protein in milk varied significantly (p<0.01) among the treatments, being lowest in T1 and highest in T3. The feed efficiency for milk production showed a non-significant variation among the treatments as well as among the fortnights, but increased with the increase in UDP level. It is concluded that by increasing the UDP level from 29 to 56 per cent of CP in the diet of medium producing cows, the milk production increases and cost of milk production reduces.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Melandrii Herba (MH), Akebia Quinata Decaisne (AQ), and Tetrapanax Papyriferus (TP) on milk secretion and aquaporin (AQP) expression in lactating mice. Methods: For the experiment, the mice were divided into three groups, which were orally administered MH (2,720 mg/kg), TP (400 mg/kg) and AQ (2,800 mg/kg) extracts respectively for 3 weeks from Day 1 after the birth, compared with the control group (C group), which was administered distilled water. A group consisted of six infantile mice per postpartum mouse. For comparison with the C group, non-pregnant SKH-1 mice were used as the virgin group. Results: 1. When it comes to the immunohistochemical staining for prolactin receptors in the mammary glands, the AQ and MH groups showed a strong immune response to the secretory epithelial cells constituting the mammary alveoli, while the TP group represented a weaker immune response. 2. In the immunohistochemical staining for AQP in the mammary glands, AQP1 showed a strong immune response in the walls of capillaries and venules around the mammary alveoli, and AQP3 in the epithelial cells constituting the mammary alveoli, and AQP5 in some tissues between the mammary alveoli. AQP1 was expressed in the order of TP group>AQ group=C group>MH group, and AQP3 was MH group and AQ group>TP group=C group, and AQP5 was MH group>C group>AQ group and TP group. 3. In the Western blot, AQP1 was expressed in the order of TP group>AQ group>C group>MH group, and AQP3 was MH group>AQ group>C group>TP roup, and AQP5 was MH group>TP Group>C group>AQ group. All of AQP1, 3, 5 expression were significantly higher in the C group than in the Virgin group. Conclusions: The administration of Akebia Quinata Decaisne, Tetrapanax Papyriferus and Melandrii Herba have the effect of improving prolactin levels in postpartum mice and increasing the expression of prolactin receptor and AQPs in the mammary glands, suggesting that lactation might be enhanced by the development of the mammary glands.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.367-381
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to establish a mother and child cohort in the Chinese population, and investigate human breastmilk (HBM) composition and its relationship with maternal body mass index (BMI) and infant growth during the first 3 mon of life. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 101 Chinese mother and infant pairs were included in this prospective cohort. Alterations in the milk macronutrients of Chinese mothers at 1 mon (T1), 2 mon (T2), and 3 mon (T3) lactation were analyzed. HBM fatty acid (FA) profiles were measured by gas chromatography (GC), and HBM proteomic profiling was achieved by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). RESULTS: During the first 3 mon of lactation (P < 0.05), significant decreases were determined in the levels of total energy, fat, protein, and osteopontin (OPN), as well as ratios of long-chain saturated FA (including C16:0, C22:0 and C24:0), monounsaturated FA (including C16:1), and n-6 poly unsaturated FA (PUFA) (including C20:3n-6 and C20:4n-6, and n-6/n-3). Conversely, butyrate, C6:0 and n-3 PUFA C18:3n-3 (α-linolenic acid, ALA) were significantly increased during the first 3 mon (P < 0.05). HBM proteomic analyses distinguished compositional protein differences over time (P = 0.001). Personalized motherinfant analyses demonstrated that HBM from high BMI mothers presented increased total energy, fat, protein and OPN, and increased content of n-6 PUFA (including C18:3n-6, C20:3n-6 and n-6/n-3 ratio) as compared with low BMI mothers (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BMI of the mothers positively correlated with the head circumference (HC) of infants as well as the specific n-6 PUFA C20:3n-6 over the 3 time points examined. Infant HC was negatively associated with C18:0. CONCLUSION: This study provides additional evidence to the Chinese HBM database, and further knowledge of FA function. It also helps to establish future maternal strategies that support the healthy growth and development of Chinese infants.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.13 no.1_2
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• pp.175-182
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• 1997

LBD-001, a recombinant human interferon $\gamma$ produced by genetically engineered yeast as a host system, was intravenously administered to pregnant female rats (Sprague-Dawley) from day 17 of gestation to day 21 of lactation at dose levels.of $0.35 \times 10^6$, $0.69 \times 10^6$, and $1.38 \times 10^6$ I.U./kg/day. In vasopressin-treated group, vasopressin (5 I.U./kg/day) was intravenously injected only for 5 days of perinatal period. (1) No signicant changes by the treatment of LBD-001 were observed in the body weights, food and water consumption, feeding and nurshing behaviors, and the weights of main organs of mother rats. In vasopressin-treated group, no significant changes were observed except the decrease in the food consumption on day 18 of gestation and one case of abnormal offspring with bleeding spots on the skin. (2) No significant changes in the body weights, survival rates, locomotor activity, emotional development. and the motor coordination of offsprings (F1) by the treatment of LBD-001 were observed except the fact that increase of ambulation in the female offsprings of LBD-001 ($0.69 \times 10^6$ or $1.38 \times 10^6$ I.U./kg/day)-treated groups and the increase of rearing in the males of LBD-($1.38 \times 10^6$ I.U./kg/day)-treated group, and the increase of the weight of liver and ovaries in the female offsprings in the LBD-001 ($1.38 \times 10^6$ I.U./kg/day)-treated group were observed. Altogether, the results show that LBD-001 at the dose of $1.38 \times 10^6$ I.U./kg/day or less does not significantly affect the mother rats and their offsprings (F1) except the minor influences when treated during the perinatal and postnatal period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1614-1618
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• 2003

Twenty crossbred (HF${\times}$Tharparkar) dry pregnant cows were divided into four equal groups. They were supplemented with 1,000 I.U. $\alpha$-tocopheryl acetate from 0 (group I), 15 (group II), 30 (group III) and 60 (group IV) days before parturition to 1month of lactation. All the cows were kept under similar feeding and management conditions. Blood plasma samples collected on specific days were analyzed for $\alpha$-tocopherol, retinol, total antioxidant activity (FRAP), immunoglobulin and calcium. Plasma $\alpha$-tocopherol concentration at 30 days prepartum averaged 3.5, 4.1, 4.4 and $3.9{\mu}g/ml$ and decreased by 50.0, 41.4, 34.1 and 33.3 percent on the day of parturition in the four respective groups. After calving, plasma vitamin E started to recover earlier in groups II, III and IV as compared to group I. Mean plasma $\alpha$-tocopherol concentration at 21 days postpartum was significantly higher in groups II, III and IV (2.9, 3.5 and $3.1{\mu}g/ml$) compared to group I ($1.9{\mu}g/ml$) cows. Plasma retinol concentration also showed a substantial decrease in all the groups on the day of calving but recovered to its normal value at 3 weeks postpartum. Plasma total antioxidant activity averaged 901, 895, 859 and $875{\mu}mol/l$ in the four respective groups on 30 days prepartum and decreased on the day of calving in all the groups, but the decrease was less in groups III and IV. Plasma immunoglobulin concentration was higher in group IV, followed by groups III, II and I, respectively, showing better immune status of vitamin E supplemented cows due to less oxidative stress. Supplementation of vitamin E resulted in higher plasma calcium concentration. The data showed that vitamin E supplementation should be started at least 30 days prepartum to reduce oxidative stress in periparturient cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.305-312
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• 1990

The seasonal changes in production, the systems of management and the seasonal climatic and feeding conditions are described for three farms representative of the major areas for growing fine-wool sheep in northern China. At all farms, summer and autumn were seasons of rapid liveweight gain and wool growth. In the winter and spring, during lactation, liveweight declined wool growth decreased by approximately 70%, and fibre diameter by 4 to 8 microns. The wool produced was characterized by a very low clean wool yield (39-51%). Greasy fleece weights ranged from 4.5 to 8.0 kg and average diameter of wool fibres from 20.5 to 23 microns. The number of lambs born per 100 ewes mated ranged from 79 to 95, lamb weights ranged from 3.8 to 4.5 kg, and weaning weights ranged from 17 to 25 kg. Overall, the patterns of sheep production were similar to those found in seasonally arid environments (such as in the mediterranean climatic zone). Yield of clean wool and therefore clean fleece weights were far below those in most other fine-wool producing areas of the world.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1400-1410
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• 2004

Eight crossbred (75% Holstein Friesian) cows in mid-lactation were randomly assigned to a switchback design with a 2x2 factorial arrangement to evaluate two nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) sources (corn meal and cassava chips) with different rumen degradability and used at two levels of NSC (55 vs. 75%) with protein source (supplied by urea in the concentrate mix). The treatments were 1) Low degradable low level of corn (55%) 2) Low degradable high level of corn (75%) 3) High degradable low level of cassava (55%) and 4) High degradable high level of cassava (75%). The cows were offered the treatment concentrate at a ratio to milk yield at 1:2. Urea-treated rice straw was offered ad libitum as the roughage and supplement with 1 kg/hd/d cassava hay. The results revealed that total DM intake, BW and digestion coefficients of DM were not affected by either level or source of energy. Rumen fermentation parameters; NH3-N, blood urea nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen were unaffected by source of energy, but were dramatically increased by level of NSC. Rumen microorganism populations were not affected (p>0.05) by source of energy, but fungal zoospores were greater for cassava-based concentrate than corn-based concentrate. Milk production and milk composition were not affected significantly by diets containing either source or level of NSC, however concentrate than corn-based concentrate averaging (4.4 and 4.2, respectively). Likewise, income over feed, as estimated from 3.5% FCM, was higher on cassava-based concentrate than corn-based concentrate averaging (54.0 and 51.4 US$/mo, respectively). These results indicate that feeding diets containing either cassava-based diets and/or a higher of oncentrates up to 75% of DM with NPN (supplied by urea up to 4.5% of DM) can be used in dairy rations without altering rumen ecology or animal performance compared with corn-based concentrate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.658-666
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• 2014

This study aimed to evaluate urea excretion, nitrogen balance and microbial protein synthesis in lactating goats fed with diets containing different protein sources in the concentrate (soybean meal, cottonseed meal, aerial part of cassava hay and leucaena hay). Four Alpine goats whose mean body weight was $42.6{\pm}6.1kg$ at the beginning of the experiment, a mean lactation period of $94.0{\pm}9.0days$ and a production of $1.7{\pm}0.4kg$ of milk were distributed in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square with four periods of 15 days. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous, containing 103.0 g/kg of CP, 400 g/kg of Tifton 85 hay and 600 g/kg of concentrate. Diet containing cottonseed meal provided (p<0.05) increased excretion of urea and urea nitrogen in the urine (g/d and mg/kg of BW) when compared with leucaena hay. The diets affected the concentrations of urea nitrogen in plasma (p<0.05) and excretion of urea nitrogen in milk, being that soybean meal and cottonseed meal showed (p<0.05) higher than the average aerial part of the cassava hay. The use of diets with cottonseed meal as protein source in the concentrate in feeding of lactating goats provides greater nitrogen excretion in urine and negative nitrogen balance, while the concentrate with leucaena hay as a source of protein, provides greater ruminal microbial protein synthesis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.407-412
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• 2001

Milk data may be increasingly used as indicators of the protein-energy balance and actual farm feeding practices. It was related to milk production, nutritional and reproductive disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between level of fat, protein or milk urea nitrogen (MUN) from the first test within 35 days in milk and displaced abomasum (DA) in a large dairy herd with high yielding Holstein cows. Milk data from forty-five DA cases were compared to those from 90 healthy cows. Higher odds of DA diagnosis was found with higher 5.0% milk fat, lower 3.0% milk protein. Therefore, cows with a fat to protein ratio of>1.5 had higher risks for DA. Also, incidence rates of DA was higher in the cows which the level of MUN was lower than 12.0 mg/dl or higher than 25.0 mg/dl relative to healthy cows. These results indicate that cows diagnosed with DA were energy deficient prior to DA diagnosis. We conclude that level of fat, protein or MUN serve as a monitoring tool of protein and energy nutritional balance in early lactation cows and also as a significant predictor of risk for DA.