Does Pelleted Starter Feed Restriction and Provision of Total Mixed Ration Ad Libitum during Weaning Influence the Behavior of Dairy Calves?

Currently, in dairy farming, there is growing concern for the welfare of calves during the critical period between the separation from their dams and weaning. During weaning, rationed feeding is a practice used to improve feed efficiency and control the calves' growth, but it could also have negative consequences associated with hunger and feed restriction behavior. One such consequence could be the performance by calves of stereotyped behaviors indicative of poor welfare, such as non-nutritive oral behaviors.

Spectral Profiling (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and Machine Learning for the Recognition of Milk from Different Bovine Breeds.

The Podolica cattle breed is widespread in southern Italy, and its productivity is characterized by low yields and an extraordinary quality of milk and meats. Most of the milk produced is transformed into "Caciocavallo Podolico" cheese, which is made with 100% Podolica milk. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is the technique that, in this research work, was applied together with machine learning to discriminate 100% Podolica milk from contamination of other Calabrian cattle breeds.

Effect of pomegranate () anthelmintic treatment on milk production in dairy sheep naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes.

Anthelmintic drug resistance has proliferated across Europe in sheep gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). Sheep welfare and health are adversely impacted by these phenomena, which also have an impact on productivity. Finding alternatives for controlling GINs in sheep is thus of utmost importance.

The Effect of Feeding a Total Mixed Ration with an or Restricted Pelleted Starter on Growth Performance, Rumination Behavior, Blood Metabolites, and Rumen Fermentation in Weaning Holstein Dairy Calves.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of the starter restriction and of the TMR (total mixed ration) inclusion on intake, growth performance, rumination time (RT), and health condition of Holstein dairy calves during weaning. We randomly assigned thirty female Holstein calves (with an average weight of 38.5 ± 1.

Mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy for the detection of cow's milk in buffalo milk.

In Italy, buffalo mozzarella is a largely sold and consumed dairy product. The fraudulent adulteration of buffalo milk with cheaper and more available milk of other species is very frequent. In the present study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), in combination with multivariate analysis by partial least square (PLS) regression, was applied to quantitatively detect the adulteration of buffalo milk with cow milk by using a fully automatic equipment dedicated to the routine analysis of the milk composition.

Fungal Contamination and Aflatoxin B1 Detected in Hay for Dairy Cows in South Italy.

The growth of filamentous fungi on fodder is recognized as responsible for fungal deterioration and mycotoxin contamination of the plant mass leads to economic losses in the dairy cow production system. Mycotoxin contamination has significant implications for human and animal health and is one of the major concerns in the food and feed chain. This research provides an insight into the variety of viable molds (i.

Effects of ecotrofin™ on milk yield, milk quality and serum biochemistry in lactating goats.

A nutritional supplement (Ecotrofin™, by Vetoquinol Italia S.r.l) recommended in ruminants feeding to strengthen the physiological condition and improve digestive performance was tested in 20 pluriparae grazing goats divided in two groups (control and treated) to assess its possible effects on milk yield and quality and to assess eventual adverse effects.

Rapid Liquid AP-MALDI MS Profiling of Lipids and Proteins from Goat and Sheep Milk for Speciation and Colostrum Analysis.

Rapid profiling of the biomolecular components of milk can be useful for food quality assessment and for food fraud detection. Differences in commercial value and availability of milk from specific species are often the reasons for the illicit and fraudulent sale of milk whose species origin is wrongly declared. In this study, a fast, MS-based speciation method is presented to distinguish sheep from goat milk and sheep colostrum at different phases.

Effects of C-Peptide Replacement Therapy on Bone Microarchitecture Parameters in Streptozotocin-Diabetic Rats.

C-peptide therapy protects against diabetic micro- and macrovascular damages and neuropatic complications. However, to date, the role of C-peptide in preventing diabetes-related bone loss has not been investigated. Our aim was to evaluate if C-peptide infusion improves bone quality in diabetic rats.

Pegbovigrastim Treatment around Parturition Enhances Postpartum Immune Response Gene Network Expression of whole Blood Leukocytes in Holstein and Simmental Cows.

Pegbovigrastim is a commercial long-acting analog of bovine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rbG-CSF) that promotes the increased count and functionality of polymorphonuclear cells in dairy cows around the time of parturition. We hypothesized that pegbovigrastim administered to periparturient cows at approximately seven days before parturition and within 24 hours after calving could affect the profiles of gene networks involved in leukocyte function. Blood was collected on Day 3 after calving from treated groups (pegbovigrastim (PEG); 13 Simmental (seven multiparous and six primiparous) and 13 Holstein (seven multiparous and six primiparous) cows) that received pegbovigrastim (Imrestor; Elanco Animal Health) and controls (CTR; 13 Simmental (seven multiparous and six primiparous) and 13 Holstein (six multiparous and seven primiparous) cows) that received saline solution.

Antioxidant, Biochemical, and In-Life Effects of L. Natural Juice vs. Clarified Juice by Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane.

A clarification method was proposed to ameliorate the technological quality of fruit juices by preserving bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities and the in vivo effects of L. natural (NJ) and clarified (CJ) juice by polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membrane.

Unraveling the Adipose Tissue Proteome of Transition Cows through Severe Negative Energy Balance.

Fat mobilization in high-yielding dairy cows during early lactation occurs to overcome negative energy balance (NEB), caused by insufficient feed intake and the concomitant increased nutritional requirements. For this reason, adipose tissue represents an essential organ for healthy and performant lactation. However, only a few data are known about adipose tissue proteome and its metabolic status during peripartum.

Age-related metabolic changes of pre-weaned Simmental calves fed whole bulk milk and ad libitum calf starter.

The present study aimed to investigate blood biomarkers encompassing the metabolic status of Simmental calves, with emphasis on weekly differences in the pre-weaning period. Ten Italian Simmental calves were used for the experiment and were offered 6 L of bulk whole milk/d from an open-bucket starting at day 2 from birth and through 5 weeks. Blood samples were collected at birth and weekly to assess biochemical indicators related to energy metabolism and liver function, minerals, markers of inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Effect of Pegbovigrastim on Hematological Profile of Simmental Dairy Cows during the Transition Period.

Pegbovigrastim is a long-acting analog of recombinant bovine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, that promotes and increases the count and functionality of polymorphonuclear cells in dairy cows. The present study aimed to explore, for the first time in Simmental cows, the clinical and hematological effect of pegbovigrastim during the transition period (TP). Cows were randomly assigned into two groups: treated group (PEG; n = 16) received pegbovigrastim at approximately 7 days before expected parturition and within 6 h after calving, and control group (CTR; n = 16) received saline solution.

Milk microbiota: Characterization methods and role in cheese production.

Milk is a complex body fluid aimed at addressing the nutritional and defensive needs of the mammal's newborns. Harbored microbiota plays a pivotal role throughout the cheesemaking process and contributes to the development of flavor and texture typical of different type of cheeses. Understanding the dairy microbiota dynamics is of paramount importance for controlling the qualitative, sensorial and biosafety features of the dairy products.

Influence of Feeding Linseed on SCD Activity in Grazing Goat Mammary Glands.

The effects of linseed feeding on the stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) activity were evaluated on grazing dairy goats divided into two homogeneous groups (C, control, and L, treated) fed the same amount of concentrate which, for group L was supplemented with linseed. Milk yield was unaffected by the treatment. Group L showed significantly higher milk fat (4.

and studies of L. flowers: chemical profile and bioactivity.

Edible flowers consumption has increased in recent years due to their rich content of healthy phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to analyse the chemical profile of L. flowers, and to explore their antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties.

Influence of dietary hydrogenated palm oil supplementation on serum biochemistry and progesterone levels in dairy goats.

The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of hydrogenated palm oil (HPO) added to a dairy goat diet on serum biochemistry and progesterone levels. Thirty pregnant Cilentana dairy goats were equally divided into 2 groups (control [CTR] and HPO groups). After kidding, concentrated feed for both groups was gradually increased up to 400 g/(animal·d), and the HPO group received 50 g/(animal·d) of HPO.

Influence of Pasture on Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase and miRNA 103 Expression in Goat Milk: Preliminary Results.

The effect of pasture on the stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and miRNA 103 expression was evaluated on dairy goats divided into two homogeneous groups (G, grazing, and S, stable). Group S was housed in a stall and received alfalfa hay as forage, while group G was led to pasture. The goats of both the groups received the same amount of concentrate.