• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.342-348
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• 2014

This study was conducted to examine the effects of condensed tannins (CT) from Ficus bengalensis leaves on the feed utilization, milk production and health status of crossbred cows. Eighteen crossbred dairy cows at their second and mid lactation (avg. BW $351.6{\pm}10.6$ kg) were randomly divided into two groups of nine each in a completely randomized block design and fed two iso-nitrogenous supplements formulated to contain 0% and 1.5% CT through dried and ground leaves of Ficus bengalensis. The diets were designated as CON and FBLM, respectively and fed to cows with a basal diet of rice straw to meet requirements for maintenance and milk production. The daily milk yield was significantly (p<0.05) increased due to supplementation of FBLM diet. The 4% fat corrected milk yield was also significantly (p<0.01) higher due to increased (p<0.05) milk fat in cows under diet FBLM as compared to CON. The inclusion of CT at 1.5% in the supplement did not interfere with the feed intake or digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF, and ADF by lactating cows. Digestible crude protein (DCP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) values of the composite diets were comparable between the groups. The blood biochemical parameters remained unaltered except significantly (p<0.05) lowered serum urea concentration in cows fed FBLM diet. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in cows supplemented with condensed tannins. The total thiol group (T-SH) was found to be higher with reduction in lipid peroxidation (LPO) in cows of FBLM group. The cost of feeding per kg milk production was also reduced due to supplementation of Ficus bengalensis leaves. Therefore, a perceptible positive impact was evident on milk production and antioxidant status in crossbred cows during mid-lactation given supplement containing 1.5% CT through Ficus bengalensis leaves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.442-451
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• 2019

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of transport stress on physiological and hematological responses and milk performance in lactating dairy cows. Methods: Ten lactating dairy cows were randomly divided into 2 groups. The treatment group (TG) was transported 200 km for 4 h by truck, and the control group (NTG) was restrained by stanchion for 4 h in Konkuk University farm. Blood and milk samples were collected at 24 h pre-transport; 1, 2, and 4 h during transport; and 2, 24, and 48 h post-transport. Milk yields were measured at 24 h pre-transport, 0 h during transport, and 24, 48, and 72 h post-transport. Results: Leukocyte, neutrophil, and monocyte numbers in the TG were significantly higher than those of the NTG at each experimental time point. Lymphocyte numbers in the TG were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of the NTG at 48 h post-transport. Additionally, the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio of the TG was 45% and 46% higher than that of the NTG at 4 h during transport and 2 h post-transport, respectively. There were no significant differences in erythrocyte numbers, hemoglobin concentrations, platelet numbers, and hematocrit percentages between two groups. Cortisol levels in the TG were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in the NTG. Milk yields in the TG were lower than those in the NTG. The somatic cell count (SCC) of the TG was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the NTG at 1 and 2 h during transport; that of the TG increased dramatically at 1 h during transport and gradually decreased subsequently. Conclusion: Transport stress increased blood parameters including leucocyte, neutrophil, and monocyte numbers by increased cortisol levels, but did not affect erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Additionally, transport resulted in a decrease in milk yield and reduced milk quality owing to an increase in milk SCC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.523-531
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• 2008

Buffalo are a major source of milk production, contributing 12.1% in the World and 38.0% in Asia. The buffaloes are kept under peri-urban farming systems to produce milk for urban populations. Breeding is delayed in these herds to get more economic benefit because farmers believe that the pregnancy decreases milk production. The lactation milk value has been studied in this paper as an economic indicator. Complete milk yield records of 3,304 buffaloes was collected from a group of state farms. Economic traits including lactation yield, lactation length, calving interval (CI), dry period and milk yield per day of calving interval (MYPDCI) were derived from the data. The animals were grouped according to parity number (1-3), service period (G1 to G4, conceiving during <150, 150-200, 200-300 and >300 days post calving) and yield levels (HMY>2,500; MMY 2,001-2,500; and LMY 1,500-2,000 liters/ lactation). To study the effect of pregnancy on milk composition a research trial was conducted at a medium size private dairy farm, using forty lactating buffaloes of three yield levels and four service period groups, as described already. Milk was sampled on alternate weeks and analyzed for fat and protein contents (%). For quantifying the value of milk produced during a lactation period, the value corrected milk (VCM) was determined and converted to lactation milk value (LMV). Group means were compared for varicous parameters. Highest milk yield ($2,836.50{\pm}15.68$ liters/lactation) was recorded in the HMY animals of G4 group while lowest milk yield of $1,657.04{\pm}8.34$ liters/lactation was found in LMY of G1. Lactation was significantly increased with the extending of service period. The shortest dry period was recorded in HMY, parity 1, G1 animals and the longest in parity 2, MMY, G4.The CI was shortest in HMY, parity 1, and G1 animals and longest in LMY, parity 3, G4 buffaloes. The HMY, parity 2, G1 buffaloes showed the highest MYPDCI and the lowest value was recorded ($6.53{\pm}0.17$ vs. $2.76{\pm}0.04$ liter/day) for LMY, parity 1, G4 buffaloes. The VCM decreased with the delayed conception. This decreasing trend was higher in respect of the total yield but decrease in the VCM was smaller due to the increasing levels of fat and protein in the milk. The gap between the various production classes was reduced based on the VCM as compared with the yield per day of CI. LMV showed a consistent decline with extending service period in all three production groups. The study suggests that CI increased with delayed conception, showing a consistent trend in the low, moderate and high yielding buffaloes. There was a coherent declining pattern of milk yield with delaying conception, associated with prolonged CI. An animal conceiving at a later stage of lactation showed a decline in financial returns of 24 to 27% compared with those conceiving earlier.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.255-261
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• 2013

The objective of the present study was to determine the minimum alcohol (ethanol) concentration that gives rise to the coagulation of goat milk for the alcohol precipitation test, and to evaluate the physical parameters of goat milk which include alcohol and heat stability. A total of 1,295 udder-half milk samples from 648 lactating dairy goats were collected from seven farms in Jeonnam province, Republic of Korea, to determine the alcohol and heat stability. The majority (99.6%) of the samples were coagulated when 70% ethanol was added to the milk, while only 11.0% of the samples were precipitated by the addition of an equal volume of 45% ethanol. With the concentration of 65%, 60%, 55% and 50% aqueous ethanol, 99.2%, 96.8%, 81.0% and 52.8% of the milk samples were coagulated, respectively. Of 1,295 dairy goat milk samples tested for heat stability, 127 (9.8%) were coagulated by boiling. Among the 143 alcohol test-positive udder-half milk samples, 52 (4.0%) were unstable by heat test, while 1,032 (79.7%) of the 1,152 alcohol test-negative milk samples were stable by heat test. According to the results of boiling test, sensitivity and specificity of 45% alcohol precipitation test were 0.3023 (95% CI: 0.2346~0.3772) and 0.9190 (95% CI: 0.9017~0.9344), respectively. The contents of protein and the specific gravity were higher in the milk samples of 45% alcohol test-positive than in those of 45% alcohol test-negative. However, lower levels of lactose and milk urea nitrogen were observed in the milk samples of 45% alcohol test-positive compared to the alcohol test-negative milk samples. The lowest pH values ($6.73{\pm}0.20$) were shown in the 45% alcohol test-negative and heat-unstable milk samples, while the lowest values of somatic cell counts and bacterial counts were shown in the 45% alcohol test-negative and heat-stable milk samples. Results of this study suggest that the alcohol precipitation for dairy goat milk may have to be tested with ethanol concentration less than 45% for the determination of freshness and heat-stability.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1458-1463
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• 2018

Objective: This study was done to evaluate the effect of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) supplementation in a total mixed ration (TMR) on the lactation performance, blood parameters, and economic efficacy of mid-lactation Holstein cows. Methods: Twenty-four cows (body weight $647{\pm}11.7kg$) were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups, with six cows per group. The dietary treatments were as follows: basal diet (CON); CON+17.5 g of top dressed SSL (treatment [TRT] 0.05); CON+35 g of SSL (TRT 0.1); and CON+70 g of SSL (TRT 0.2) per 35 kg TMR. Results: The highest level of SSL supplementation (TRT 0.2) significantly improved milk yield during the second period compared to the TRT 0.05 group (5 to 8 wks; 33.28 vs 31.09 kg/d), during the third period compared to both the CON and TRT 0.05 groups (p<0.05) (9 to 13 wks; 32.59 vs 30.64 and 30.01 kg/d) and during the overall experimental period compared to both the CON and TRT 0.05 groups (p<0.05) (1 to 13 wks; 33.43 vs 32.06 and 31.40 kg/d), respectively. No negative effects on hematological or biochemical parameters were observed due to SSL supplementation. Considering both the milk fat and protein content, the total milk price was set at 1,073.60 (TRT 0.05), 1,085.60 (TRT 0.1), 1,086.10 (TRT 0.2), and 1,064.20 (CON) won/L, with consequent total milk profits of -1.7%, 5.4%, and 3.5% for the TRT 0.05, TRT 0.1, and TRT 0.2 diet, respectively, compared to those in the CON diet. Conclusion: The milk sales revenue related to SSL supplementation of the TRT 0.1 diet was increased by up to 5.4% compared to the milk sales revenue of the CON diet. Therefore, 0.1% SSL supplementation might be effective and profitable during the mid-lactation period of cows, without producing adverse effects.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1455-1463
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• 2006

Effects of different levels of molasses in a concentrate supplement on milk yield of cows grazing Setaria grass pastures were investigated. Thirty Friesian cows, 6-7 years old with mean pre-experimental body weight of $428{\pm}6.5$ kg, in early stage of lactation were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design experiment that lasted for 126 days. Experimental dietary treatments were forage alone and forage/concentrate mixtures with molasses included at 0, 5, 10 or 15% levels designated as $T_1$, $T_2$, $T_3$, $T_4$ and $T_5$, respectively. The parameters studied were voluntary dry matter (DM) intake, average daily live weight change (LWC), milk yield, body condition score (BCS) and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients. The DM and energy contents of Setaria grass were low compared to the concentrate diets. Fibre fractions-NDF, ADF, ADL, hemicellulose and cellulose; and gross energy were higher in concentrate mixtures than in the forage. Total DM intake (forage+concentrate mixtures) was significantly higher (p<0.001) in cows on the concentrate mixtures. LWC was not significantly different (p>0.05) between the cows. Average milk yields were significantly different (p<0.05) between cows. Fat corrected milk (FCM) was similar among cows in the treatments. BCS was better (p<0.001) in cows on concentrate mixtures. Digestibilities of DM, CP, NDF, ADF, ADL, OM, and energy were significantly higher (p<0.001) in cows on $T_2$, $T_3$, $T_4$ and $T_5$ than in those on $T_1$. There were no significant differences in the digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, ADF and ADL (p>0.001) in cows on concentrate mixtures. This study therefore demonstrated that lactating dairy cows in Fiji need a level of readily fermented energy source such as molasses in their diets; however, a level above 10% is not nutritionally suitable for lactating dairy cows. Based on data on production parameters-milk yield, fat corrected milk, body condition score and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients-molasses levels that range between 5-10% are recommended, however, 10% is the best and therefore recommended for inclusion in the concentrate mixture of lactating dairy cows on a basal diet of Setaria sphacelata in Fiji.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.509-515
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• 2016

Twenty Ardi lactating goats were used to investigate the effect of substituting 10%, 15%, and 20% of concentrate feed with date pits on milk production, composition, and blood parameters. Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous dietary treatments were used. Four levels (0% [control], 10%, 15%, and 20%) of date pits were used to replace concentrate feed. The forages to concentrate ratio used was 60 to 40. Dry matter intake (DMI) of goats fed diets containing 10% and 15% date pits was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those fed diets containing 0% and 20%. However, goats fed a diet containing 20% date pits were significantly (p<0.05) lower in DMI compared to those fed control diet. The protein percent was significantly higher for goats fed control diet compared to the other dietary treatments. Total solids percent was significantly the lowest for goats fed diet supplemented with 10% date pits. Goats fed a diet containing 20% date pits was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the total protein compared to those fed a diet containing 10%. In addition, goats fed a diet containing 15% date pits exhibited no significant differences in the total protein percent compared to those fed a diet containing 20% date pits. Triglyceride was significantly higher for goats fed diets containing 10% and 20% date pits compared to those fed 15% date pits. Results obtained in the present study suggest that date pits can be added up to 20% of the concentrate feeds into lactating Ardi goat diets without negative effects on their productive performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1721-1726
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• 2005

The characteristic smell of cow milk was suppressed when herbs were consumed by lactating dairy cows. But it is unclear whether or not peppermint ingestion affects the nutritional and milk production parameters in lactating dairy cows. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of peppermint feeding to lactating dairy cows on nutrient digestibility, energy metabolism, ruminal fermentation and milk production. Eight Holstein cows were given a diet supplemented with or without 5% of dried peppermint per diet on a dry matter basis. The digestion of nutrients from cows fed the diet with peppermint was significantly lower than that of the control group. Energy loss as methane and methane released from cows receiving the peppermint treatment was significantly lower than that in the control cows. Peppermint feeding to cows resulted in the promotion of thermogenesis. However, ruminal fermentation and milk production were not affected by peppermint feeding. In conclusion, peppermint ingestion by lactating dairy cows reduces the nutrient digestibility and methanogenesis, and changes energy metabolism.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.561-569
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• 2005

This research was conducted to study the effect of milk consumption on blood lipid levels of Korean college women. According to milk intake from food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), top $20\%$ of subjects were classified as high group (HG) and bottom $20\%$ as low group (LG). Body weight, height and blood pressure were measured and BMI was calculated from the anthropometric data, but there was no significant difference between the groups. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and lipoprotein fractions. There was no significant difference in the blood level of albumin, total protein and hemoglobin between two groups, and all blood parameters were in the normal range. Blood lipid levels of two groups were not significantly different, but HDL-cholesterol level were higher in HG (p < 0.05). Therefore, according to the result of the research, it is considered that drinking a pack of milk (200 ml) everyday, the average intake of dairy products of HG, is advisable to promote good health without increasing of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.619-624
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• 2000

Low-quality roughages [banana wastes (B), wheat straw (WS) and dried broiler litter (BL)] were ensiled using either sweet whey (W) or diluted molasses (M) as rehydration media to study their effects on milk yield, milk composition and some parameters of blood plasma. The feeding trial involved 25 lactating buffaloes in five groups (five animals each). Buffaloes as control animals received diets of concentrate feed mixture, rice straw and wastelages (70:30:00). In the other 4 treatments, the wastelages replaced 50% of rice straw in the control diets. The wastelages were BL:B:M(3:2:10) (T1), BL:WS:M (3:2:10) (T2), BL:B:W (3:2:10) (T3) and BL:WS:W (3:2:10) (T4) on a fresh matter basis, during the 1st 17 weeks of lactation period. Results indicated that feeding lactating buffaloes on wastelages resulted in slightly higher (p>0.05) milk yield, 4% fat-corrected-milk yield and feed efficiency, and slightly lowered (p>0.05) contents of milk total solids, fat and protein. Wastelages, especially BL-B-M, increased (p<0.05) milk non-protein-nitrogen and ash contents and plasma urea, GOT and GPT. The results demonstrate that banana plant wastes with some additives in silage form may be good untraditional roughage for lactating buffaloes without any adverse effect on milk production.