Effects of evaporative cooling and dietary zinc source on heat shock responses and mammary gland development in lactating dairy cows during summer.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of evaporative cooling and dietary supplemental Zn source on heat shock responses and mammary gland development of lactating dairy cows during summer. Seventy-two multiparous lactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Cows were either cooled (CL) or not cooled (NC) and fed diets supplemented with 75 mg of Zn/kg of dry matter (DM) from Zn hydroxychloride (IOZ) or 35 mg of Zn/kg of DM from Zn hydroxychloride plus 40 mg of Zn/kg of DM from Zn-Met complex (ZMC).

The effects of zinc amino acid complex on biomarkers of gut integrity, inflammation, and metabolism in heat-stressed ruminants.

Study objectives were to evaluate the effects of replacing 40 mg/kg of dietary Zn from Zn sulfate (ZS) with Zn amino acid complex (ZA; Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN) on inflammation and intestinal integrity in heat-stressed and pair-fed (PF) ruminants. Forty Holstein steers (173.6 ± 4.

Response of lactating dairy cows fed different supplemental zinc sources with and without evaporative cooling to intramammary lipopolysaccharide infusion: metabolite and mineral profiles in blood and milk.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of evaporative cooling and dietary supplemental Zn source on blood metabolites, insulin and mineral concentrations, and milk mineral concentrations following intramammary lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion. Seventy-two multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to one of four treatments with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Treatments included two environments: with or without evaporative cooling using fans and misters over the freestall and feedbunk, and two dietary sources of supplemental Zn: 75 mg/kg of dry matter (DM) supplied by Zn hydroxychloride (inorganic Zn; IOZ) or Zn hydroxychloride (35 mg of Zn/kg of DM) + Zn-Met complex (ZMC; 40 mg of Zn/kg of DM).

Short communication: Effect of supplemental zinc source with and without evaporative cooling on systemic and mammary metabolism of lactating dairy cows during summer.

The negative effects of heat stress partly result from disturbed systemic metabolic responses and possibly altered mammary gland metabolism of lactating dairy cows. Our previous research reported that supplemental dietary Zn sources may affect milk fat synthesis of lactating cows during summer. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the systemic and mammary metabolism of cows fed 2 supplemental Zn sources under 2 environmental conditions.

Response of lactating dairy cows fed different supplemental zinc sources with and without evaporative cooling to intramammary lipopolysaccharide infusion: intake, milk yield and composition, and hematologic profile1.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplemental Zn source and evaporative cooling on intake, milk yield and composition, and the rate of leukocyte migration into the mammary gland following intramammary lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 72) were assigned to one of four treatments with a 2×2 factorial arrangement including two sources of supplemental Zn: 75 mg/kg Zn hydroxychloride or 35 mg/kg Zn hydroxychloride + 40 mg/kg Zn-Met complex (ZMC) each with or without evaporative cooling. The cooling system was implemented by the use of fans and misters over the freestall and feeding areas.

Dietary Zinc-Amino Acid Complex Does Not Affect Markers of Mammary Epithelial Integrity or Heat Stability of Milk in Mid-Lactating Cows.

Supplying dietary zinc in excess of traditional requirements has clear impacts on the gut epithelium, but little research has explored whether similar impacts on the mammary epithelium may occur. Our objective was to determine the effects of supplemental Zn sources, in excess of minimal requirements, on markers of mammary epithelial integrity in blood and in milk as well as the heat stability of milk in mid-lactation cows. Twelve multiparous Holstein cows (132 ± 21 days in milk and 51 ± 3 kg/day milk) were blocked according to milk yield and enrolled in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square experiment.

Effects of heat stress and dietary zinc source on performance and mammary epithelial integrity of lactating dairy cows.

Dietary Zn and heat stress alter gut integrity in monogastric animals. However, effects of Zn on mammary epithelial integrity in heat-stressed lactating dairy cows have not been studied. Multiparous lactating Holstein cows (n = 72) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement to study the effects of environment and Zn source on performance and mammary epithelial integrity.

Short communication: Repeated mammary tissue collections during lactation do not alter subsequent milk yield or composition.

Mammary biopsy collection (MB) is a valuable approach for studying mammary gland biology, but it is unclear if repeated MB impair the performance of lactating dairy cows. The objective of this trial was to examine the effect of repeated MB during lactation on udder health, dry matter intake (DMI), and lactation performance of lactating dairy cows. Sixty-four multiparous, mid-lactation Holstein cows were enrolled in a 29-wk trial, and 32 cows were randomly selected for repeated MB.

Inflammatory biomarkers are associated with ketosis in periparturient Holstein cows.

Ketosis is a prevalent periparturient metabolic disorder and we hypothesize that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infiltration may play a key role in its etiology. Study objectives were to characterize biomarkers of inflammation during the transition period in healthy and clinically diagnosed ketotic cows. Cows were retrospectively categorized into one of two groups: healthy and clinically diagnosed ketotic.

Effect of the ratio of zinc amino acid complex to zinc sulfate on the performance of Holstein cows.

Multiparous (n=70) and primiparous (n=66) Holstein cows were balanced by 305-d previous mature-equivalent milk yield and parity and assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments to evaluate the ratio of zinc sulfate to zinc amino acid complex (CZ) in pre- and postpartum Holstein cows fed diets containing 75 mg of added zinc/kg. Treatments were (1) 75 mg of supplemental zinc/kg of dry matter (DM) provided entirely as zinc sulfate (0-CZ); (2) 0-CZ diet, except 33.3 mg of zinc sulfate/kg of DM in the prepartum and 15.

Analysis of foot health records from 17 confinement dairies.

Foot health records are useful in monitoring the degree of lameness within dairy herds and, perhaps more importantly, providing insight into the underlying factors causing lameness. A database containing the incidence of foot lesions on large confinement dairy operations is largely unavailable but could prove useful to demonstrate the importance of collecting and analyzing foot lesion data to reduce lameness. Our objective was to merge foot lesion records from several dairy herds and establish a database to demonstrate how to use such data to better understand when and why foot lesions occur as an important means to manage lameness in dairy herds.

Characterization of ruminal dynamics in Holstein dairy cows during the periparturient period.

We used four pregnant Holstein cows to delineate ruminal adaptations as cows transitioned from one lactation to the next. Cows were fed typical diets through far-off and close-up dry periods and lactation. We measured ruminal characteristics on day 72 (late lactation), 51 (far-off dry), 23 and 9 (close-up dry) prepartum and on days 6, 20, 34, 48, 62, 76 and 90 postpartum (early lactation).

Effect of trace mineral source on lactation performance, claw integrity, and fertility of dairy cattle.

Two hundred fifty multiparous and primiparous cows were assigned to a study at approximately 70 d prepartum to determine the effect of trace mineral source on lactation performance, claw integrity, and fertility. Cows received treatments from 3 wk prepartum through wk 35 postpartum. Treatments consisted of 1) all supplemental Zn, Mn, Cu, and Co provided in sulfate form (Sulfate) and 2) 360 mg of Zn, 200 mg of Mn, 125 mg of Cu, and 12 mg of Co supplied daily by Sulfate minerals replaced with similar amounts of minerals supplied by Availa-4 (CTM).

Using the concept of family strengths to enhance nursing care.

This article was written to help nurses better understand the family strengths framework and encourage them to incorporate family strengths into the nursing care they give. In times of stress or crisis for families, nurses can use the conceptual framework of family strengths as a mechanism to promote strong, healthy relationships. The family strengths perspective identifies and builds on positive attributes in family functioning.

Feeding lactose to increase ruminal butyrate and the metabolic status of transition dairy cows.

Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows (775 +/- 24 kg body weight; 3.4 +/- 0.11 body condition score) were used in a randomized complete block design experiment to determine the impact of increased ruminal butyrate from the fermentation of lactose on metabolism and lactation.

Effects of dietary alpha-amylase on metabolism and performance of transition dairy cows.

Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows [body weight, 759 kg (SD = 30 kg); body condition score, 3.2 (SD = 0.13)] were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effect of feeding alpha-amylase during the transition period on rumen fermentation, key metabolic indicators, and lactation performance.

Effects of high-risk pregnancies on families.

Purpose: To examine the psychosocial impact a high-risk pregnancy has on the family and to identify family strengths and how these strengths help families meet the challenges inherent in high-risk pregnancies.

Study Design And Method: A descriptive study using naturalistic inquiry was used to interview women who were currently pregnant and had differing high-risk obstetric health issues. Data collection for this study included semi-structured, one-on-one audiotaped interviews, observations, and a biographic profile completed by the participant.

Effects of feeding propionate and calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids on transition dairy cow performance.

Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 40) were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of feeding Ca and Na salts (1:1, wt/wt) of propionate and Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) on transition cow performance. All cows were fed the same basal diet once daily for ad libitum intake. Treatments (g/d) were 320 cornstarch (CS) as a control, 120 propionate (PRO), 120 propionate and 93 LCFA (PF1), and 178 propionate and 154 LCFA (PF2).

Feeding glycerol to transition dairy cows: effects on blood metabolites and lactation performance.

Glycerol can alleviate the symptoms of ketosis when delivered as an oral drench. The addition of glycerol to the diet would eliminate the need for restraining cows for drenching yet deliver a glucogenic substrate, alleviate the fatty liver-ketosis complex, and improve lactational performance. For this study, 21 multiparous and 9 primiparous Holstein cows blocked by parity and expected calving date were used in a randomized block design to evaluate the effects of feeding glycerol from 14 d prepartum to 21 d in milk (DIM).

Response of lactating dairy cows to diets containing wet corn gluten feed or a raw soybean hull-corn steep liquor pellet.

We evaluated effects of wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) and a novel product (SHSL) containing raw soybean hulls and corn steep liquor on performance and digestion in lactating dairy cows. In Experiment 1, 46 multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to control (C), WCGF (20% of diet DM), or SHSL (20% of diet DM). Diets were fed as a total mixed ration beginning after calving.

Feeding lactose increases ruminal butyrate and plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate in lactating dairy cows.

Ruminal fermentation of lactose increases molar proportions of butyrate, which is metabolized by the ruminal epithelium to beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA). To determine the effects of dietary whey, and specifically lactose, on concentrations of ruminal and blood volatile fatty acids (VFA) and blood BHBA, 8 Holstein and 4 Brown Swiss multiparous cows (210 +/- 33 d in milk) were blocked by breed and randomly assigned to one of three 4 x 4 Latin squares. Treatments were control (CON; 7.

A pelleted combination of raw soyhulls and condensed corn steep liquor for lactating dairy cows.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of a pelleted combination of raw soyhulls and condensed corn steep liquor on performance and plasma metabolites when fed to replace a portion of the grain and forage in diets for lactating dairy cows. The raw soybean hull-corn steep liquor pellet (SHSL) contained 24.2% crude protein, 8.

Impact of feeding a raw soybean hull-condensed corn steep liquor pellet on induced subacute ruminal acidosis in lactating cows.

We used four ruminally cannulated, multiparous Holstein cows (690 kg; 21 kg/d milk) in a 2-period crossover design to determine the impact of feeding a raw soybean hull-corn steep liquor pellet (SHSL) on induced subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in lactating cows. Cows were fed control [30% alfalfa hay, 15% corn silage, 34% corn, 9% whole cottonseed, 5% soybean meal (SBM)] or SHSL (20% of diet DM) diets as TMR. SHSL replaced 6.

The psychological effects of sudden infant death syndrome on surviving family members.

It has been estimated that 7,000 to 10,000 deaths each year may be attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Although some clinicians have published their personal observations regarding the psychological effects of SIDS on surviving family members, a literature search failed to reveal more thorough studies of the aftermath of SIDS. This study reports the responses to a 13-page questionnaire of 32 parents who had experienced SIDS.