• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.475-490
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• 2021

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of two levels of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) without or with whole or extruded flaxseed on milk yield, milk component, milk fatty acids (FAs) profile and plasma metabolites in transition ewes. Three weeks before and after lambing, seventy-two Baluchi ewes were used in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The treatments contained 1) no flaxseed + 20% RUP (no flaxseed, low RUP [NFLR]); 2) no flaxseed + 40% RUP (no flaxseed, high RUP [NFHR]); 3) 10% whole flaxseed + 20% RUP (whole flaxseed, low RUP [WFLR]); 4) 10% whole flaxseed + 40% RUP (whole flaxseed, high RUP [WFHR]); 5) 10% extruded flaxseed + 20% RUP (extruded flaxseed, low RUP [EFLR]), and 6) 10% extruded flaxseed + 40% RUP (extruded flaxseed, high RUP [EFHR]). Ewes fed 10% extruded flaxseed exhibited higher (p < 0.001) dry matter intake (DMI) and colostrum yield (p < 0.1) compared to other treatments. Two types of flaxseed and RUP levels had no significant effect on milk yield, but milk fat and protein contents decreased and increased in diets containing 40% RUP, respectively. Ewes fed extruded flaxseed produced milk with lower concentrations of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and higher α-linolenic and linoleic acids and also polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) compared to other groups (p < 0.05). During post-lambing, the ewes fed diets containing flaxseed exhibited higher concentration of serum non-esterified FAs (NEFA) compared to diets without flaxseed (p < 0.01). The concentration of serum β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) decreased in the diets containing flaxseed types at pre-lambing, but increased in diets containing extruded flaxseed at post-lambing (p < 0.01). The serum glucose concentration of ewes (pre and post-lambing) which consumed diets containing extruded flaxseed or 40% RUP increased, but blood urea concentration was elevated following supplementation of diet with whole flaxseed or 40% RUP (p < 0.001). In conclusion, utilization of 10% extruded flaxseed in the diets of transition ewes had positive effects on animal performance with favorable changes in milk FAs profile. However, there is no considerable advantage to supply more than 20% RUP level in the diet of transition dairy sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.611-617
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• 2009

This study was aimed at a genetic evaluation of Iranian Holstein cattle for milk and fat yields and calculating daughter yield deviation (DYD) of bulls. The data file that was used in this research included 367,943 first three lactation records of 186,064 Holstein cows which calved between 1983 and 2006 in 11,806 herd-year-season groups. The model included herd-year-season of calving and age at calving as fixed effects and animal and permanent environment as random effects. Mean breeding values of cows for each year were regressed on birth year to estimate genetic trends. Genetic trends in milk and fat yields were greater for cows born after 1997 (59.38 kg/yr and 1.11 kg/yr for milk yield and fat yield, respectively). Animal evaluations were partitioned into contribution from parent average, yield deviation (YD) and progeny. DYD of bulls was calculated as described by VanRaden and Wiggans (1991). DYD provides an indication of the performance of the daughters of a bull without consideration of his parents or sons. Variance of bull DYD was greater than variance of their predicted transmitting ability (PTA). Correlation of bull DYD and PTA was dependent on the number of daughters and when this increased, the correlation of DYD and PTA was increased. Also as lactation number of daughters increased, the correlation of bull DYD and PTA was increased.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.466-469
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• 2002

The data on 512 Hariana cows, progeny of 20 sires calved during period from 1974 to 1993 maintained at Government Livestock Farm, Hisar were considered for the estimation of genetic parameters. The means for first lactation milk yield (FLY), wet average (WA), first lactation peak yield (FPY), first lactation milk yield per day of first calving interval (MCI) and first lactation milk yield per day of age at second calving (MSC) were 1,141.58 kg, 4.19 kg/day, 6.24 kg/day, 2.38 kg/day and 0.601 kg/day, respectively. The effect of period of calving was significant (p<0.05) on WA, FPY and MCI while the effect of season of calving was significant only on WA. Monsoon calvers excelled in performance for all the production efficiency traits. The effect of age at first calving (linear) was significant on all the traits except on MCI. Estimates of heritabilty for all the traits were moderate and ranged from 0.255 to 0.333 except for WA (0.161). All the genetic and phenotypic correlations among different production efficiency traits were high and positive. It may be inferred that selection on the basis of peak yield will be more effective as the trait is expressed early in life and had reasonably moderate estimate of heritability.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.161-164
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• 1999

Dairy performances of Pabna cows and its crossbreds with Sahiwal (SL) and Friesian (F) in the Baghabarighat dairying area of Bangladesh were evaluated. Four SL and three F sires were used for the crossbreeding. The exotic sire effect of individuals on their daughters were also evaluated in this study. It showed that the genetic group had a significant (p<0.05) effect on birth weight, age at first heat, calving interval, lactation length and lactation yield. The lowest birth weight (17.9 kg), longest age at first heat (39.2 m) and calving interval (16.3 m) shortest lactation length (199 d) and lowest lactation yield (728 L) were found in Pabna cows. The highest birth weight (22.5 kg). shortest age at first heat (25.5 m) and calving interval (13.7 m), longest lactation length (253 d) and highest lactation yield (1936 L) were found in the F crossbreds. Within the same breed, the effect of individual sire was significant (p<0.05) on age at first heat, lactation length and lactation yield. Individual sire effects of SL bulls differed significantly (p<0.05) but F sires had a non-significant (p>0.05) effect on calving interval in their progeny. The fat % and SNF % in milk and number of services required for conception did not differ (p>0.05) among inter-and intra- breed sire groups.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.735-741
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• 1999

The effects of supplementation with nitrogen molasses mineral blocks and molasses urea mix during and immediately prior to the dry season on the production of dairy cows were studied on-station and on-farm near Morogoro, Tanzania. Supplementation of blocks to on-station cows also receiving ad libitum grass hay and 6 kg/d of maize bran increased milk production from 6.7 L/d to 11.2 L/d (p<0.05), increased dry matter intake from 10.1 kg/d to 12.0 kg/d (p<0.05), but did not significantly affect milk composition, intake of hay, and live weight changes. This increase in milk yield is mainly explained by increased intakes of energy and nitrogen. Supplementation with the molasses urea mix increased daily milk yield from 6.7 L/d to 8.8 L/d (p<0.05), but did not significantly affect the other measured production parameters. The on-farm supplementation of the blocks increased daily milk yield by 1.5 L/d in the dry season (p<0.05). This supplementation did not increase milk yields prior to the dry season, since quality forage was still available. Taking the production costs into account, supplementation with the blocks and supplementation with mix were cost effective if milk yields increased by 0.7 L/d. Hence supplementation with blocks and supplementation with mix were effective on-station, and supplementation with blocks was cost effective on-farm during the dry season.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.213-220
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• 2004

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of the diets supplemented with lard or prilled fat ($Carolac^{(R)}$) on lactation performance, plasma constituents and ruminal characteristics of Holstein cows under a warm climate. In trial 1, 18 Holstein cows, 14 primiparas at 43 DIM and 4 multiparas at 55 DIM, were randomly assigned into six $3{\times3}$ Latin squares, in which three dietary treatments were isoproteinous but varying in energy contents and three 21 d periods. The treatments were basal diet (Control), basal diet supplemented with 2.5% lard (LD), and basal diet supplemented with 2.5% commercial Prilled fat (PF). In trial 2, three rumen canulated pregnant nonlactating Holstein cows with 550 kg average body weight were allotted into a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design with diets same as in trial 1 were fed to the cows at the level of 1.5% body weight on dry matter (DM) basis. The results indicated that the DM intake did not differ among the treatments. Milk yield and 4% FCM yield were greater (p<0.05) in PF than in Control. LD and PF resulted in greater milk fat percentage. Protein, lactose and solid contents in milk were not different among the three dietary treatments. The concentration of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in plasma was significantly greater in LD and PF than that in Control. However, the concentrations of triglycerides, urea nitrogen, and cholesterol in plasma were not significantly different among the three treatments. Although the ruminal molar percentage of isobutyrate in LD and PF was greater, no significant difference was observed in ruminal pH, NH3-N concentration and VFA production among the three treatments. Diet supplemented with fat can improve milk yield and milk fat percentage without resulting in disadvantages of ruminal characteristics in cows at early lactation and under warm climate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.1712-1718
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• 2001

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of monensin administration on mammary functions in crossbred Holstein cattle. Fourteen non-pregnant late lactating crossbred Holstein cattle, approximately 270 days postpartum, were selected for the experiment. They were divided into two groups of 7 animals each. Seven animals in the treated group were given sodium monensin orally in a slow-release capsule. Animals in both control and treated groups were fed the similar diet to maintain milk production and body score at 2.5. Rice straw was fed as a source of dietary fiber throughout the experimental period. After monensin administration, a significant increase in the molar percent of ruminal propionate (p<0.05) and a significant decrease in the molar percent of ruminal acetate (p<0.05) were apparent in comparison to the pretreated period. The ratio of acetate to propionate concentration decreased significantly after monensin administration (p<0.05), while it was maintained at the similar level throughout the period of experiment in the control group. Monensin did not affect the molar percent of ruminal butyrate and valerate. The concentration of milk allantoin between the control group and monensin treated group was not different. An excretion rate of allantoin in milk decreased in animals treated with monensin (p<0.05). Mammary blood flow did not show significant difference between control and monensin treated groups. The plasma glucose concentration, arteriovenous concentration difference and mammary gland uptake of glucose remained constant in both groups. Milk yield of the later stage of lactation in the control group declined during lactation advance while a tendency to increase in the milk yield was apparent after 21 days monensin administration. Milk compositions for concentration of lactose, fat and protein in both control group and monensin treated group did not change throughout the experimental periods. From these results, it can be concluded that the action of monensin could affect the ruminal fermentation pattern. Monensin could not increase milk yield in the late lactating period.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.197-208
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• 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a traditional dry period (60 d) versus a no dry period (0 d) on the milk production, physiological response, and metabolic status of dairy cows exposed to heat stress during the transition period. Holstein dairy cows (n = 15) with similar expected calving dates were randomly assigned to two different dry period lengths: (1) no dry period (n = 7) and (2) a traditional dry period of 60 days (n = 8). All cows were studied from 8 weeks before expected calving to 10 weeks after calving and experienced heat stress during the transition period. The results showed that cows with no dry period decreased their milk yield in subsequent lactation, but compensated for the loss of milk yield accounted for by additional milk yield before calving. The energy balance at postpartum was improved in cows with no dry period compared to cows with a traditional dry period. There were no significant differences in the physiological response and blood metabolites at postpartum between the dry period lengths of dairy cows exposed to heat stress during the transition period. Taken together, our results showed that omitting the dry period improved the milk production and metabolic status of dairy cows exposed to heat stress during the transition period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1116-1122
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• 2015

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sunflower seeds, either as whole or as oil, on rumen fermentation, milk production, milk composition and fatty acids profile in dairy goats. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 5) fed a basal diet of concentrate feed mixture and fresh Trifolium alexandrinum at 50:50 on dry matter basis (Control) in addition to 50 g/head/d sunflower seeds whole (SS) or 20 mL/head/d sunflower seeds oil (SO) in a complete randomized design. Milk was sampled every two weeks during 90 days of experimental period for chemical analysis and rumen was sampled at 30, 60, and 90 days of the experiment for ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids (tVFA), and ammonia-N determination. Addition of SO decreased (p = 0.017) ruminal pH, whereas SO and SS increased tVFA (p<0.001) and acetate (p = 0.034) concentrations. Serum glucose increased (p = 0.013) in SO and SS goats vs Control. The SO and SS treated goats had improved milk yield (p = 0.007) and milk fat content (p = 0.002). Moreover, SO increased milk lactose content (p = 0.048) and feed efficiency (p = 0.046) compared to Control. Both of SS and SO increased (p<0.05) milk unsaturated fatty acids content specially conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) vs Control. Addition of SS and SO increased (p = 0. 021) C18:3N3 fatty acid compared to Control diet. Data suggested that addition of either SS or SO to lactating goats ration had beneficial effects on milk yield and milk composition with enhancing milk content of healthy fatty acids (CLA and omega 3), without detrimental effects on animal performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1712-1720
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• 2012

We investigated the effect of the amount of body condition loss in the dry period and early lactation in 42 high-yielding Holstein-Friesian cows on milk yield and the share of fatty acids in milk fat. Energy reserves were estimated based on the body condition scoring (BCS) and backfat thickness (BFT). Milk yield and milk composition were determined over 305-d lactation. From d 6 to 60 of lactation, the concentrations of 43 fatty acids in milk fat were determined by gas chromatography. Cows were categorized based on body condition loss from the beginning of the dry period to the lowest point of the BCS curve in early lactation into three groups: low condition loss group (L) ${\leq}0.5$ points (n = 14); moderate condition loss group (M) 0.75 to 1.0 points (n = 16) and high condition loss group (H) >1.0 points (n = 12). Cows whose body energy reserves were mobilized at 0.8 BCS and 11 mm BFT, produced 12,987 kg ECM over 305-d lactation, i.e. 1,429 kg ECM more than cows whose BCS and BFT decreased by 0.3 and 5 mm, respectively. In group H, milk yield reached 12,818 kg ECM at body fat reserve mobilization of 1.3 BCS and 17 mm BFT. High mobilization of body fat reserves led to a significant (approx. 5%) increase in the concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids-MUFA (mostly $C_{18:1}$ cis-9, followed by $C_{18:1}$ trans-11), a significant decrease in the levels of fatty acids adversely affecting human health, and a drop in the content of linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in milk fat. In successive weeks of lactation, an improved energy balance contributed to a decrease in the concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and an increase in the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of milk fat.