First postpartum ovulation, metabolites and hormones in follicular fluid and blood in transition dairy cows supplemented with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product.

We hypothesized that feeding a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) from -4 through +7 wk (calving = Day 0) facilitates early first postpartum ovulation and alters blood and follicular fluid concentrations of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), free fatty acids (FFA), and steroid hormones favorable to subsequent fertility. Holstein cows were fed individually a SCFP product (n = 24) or served as controls (n = 23). Blood samples were collected at wk -4 and -2 from expected calving and at 1, 2, 5, and 7 wk postpartum to determine plasma concentrations of FFA and BHB.

Do biological and management reasons for a short or long dry period induce the same effects on dairy cattle productivity?

The dry period is a well-established factor that determines lactation success. A retrospective observational study used 32,182 lactations from 16 farms to determine whether management versus biological reasons for deviations from the targeted 60-d dry period have the same associations with subsequent lactation performance. Herd inclusion criteria were Holstein cows, herd size ≥900 cows, breeding by artificial insemination, and (minimally) bimonthly milk testing.

Postpartum meloxicam administration alters plasma haptoglobin, polyunsaturated fatty acid, and oxylipid concentrations in postpartum ewes.

Background: Postpartum inflammation is a natural and necessary response; however, a dysfunctional inflammatory response can be detrimental to animal productivity. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (meloxicam) on ewe postpartum inflammatory response, ewe plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid and oxylipid concentrations, and lamb growth.

Results: After lambing, 36 Hampshire and Hampshire × Suffolk ewes were sequentially assigned within type of birth to control ( = 17) or meloxicam orally administered on d 1 and 4 of lactation (MEL; 90 mg,  = 19).

Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on feed intake parameters, lactation performance, and metabolism of transition dairy cattle.

The transition period in dairy cattle is characterized by many stressors, including an abrupt diet change, but yeast product supplementation can alter the rumen environment to increase dairy cattle productivity. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) was fed from -29 ± 5 to 42 d relative to calving (RTC) to evaluate the effects on feed intake, milk production, and metabolism. Treatments were control (n = 30) or SCFP (n = 34) incorporated into a total mixed ration.

Dietary supplementation of Scutellaria baicalensis extract during early lactation decreases milk somatic cells and increases whole lactation milk yield in dairy cattle.

Systemic inflammation is common in early lactation dairy cows and is associated with decreased milk production. The Scutellaria baicalensis plant contains flavonoids with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, which may counteract the inflammatory state in early lactation dairy cows. The objective of this experiment was to determine whether Scutellaria baicalensis extract (SBE), a source of bioactive flavonoids, would alter the adaptation to lactation.