Effects of feeding dairy cows after calving extracts of algae Aschophyllum nodosum and Arthrospira platensis (spirulina)
The use of products based on Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) and Ascophyllum nodosum in dairy cows could have various positive effects. The administration of these products, thanks to their amino acid and lipid composition, and the presence of trace elements and antioxidants could in fact bring improvements to animal health conditions and performance and have an impact on the rumen microbiome.
| PROJECT LEADER: | Prof. Erminio Trevisi |
|---|---|
| RESPONSIBLE OF PROCEDURES: | Dott. Fiorenzo Piccioli Cappelli |
| DURATION: | 2023 - in progress |
Prof. Erminio Trevisi
President, Cerzoo Srl - Research Center for livestock and environment
Full Professor in Animal Science, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Piacenza and Cremona
Dott. Fiorenzo Piccioli Cappelli
Researcher, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Piacenza and Cremona
Background
The use of products based on Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) and Ascophyllum nodosum in dairy cows could have various positive effects. The administration of these products, thanks to their amino acid and lipid composition, and the presence of trace elements and antioxidants could in fact bring improvements to animal health conditions and performance and have an impact on the rumen microbiome. A. nodosum is an excellent source of iodine, so its administration can contribute to increasing the presence of the mineral in milk, with positive implications for the health of consumers. Spirulina, on the other hand, could affect the composition and title of lipids in milk. It is also believed that the presence of both algae in cows' diets may modulate enteric methane production, which leads to an improvement in the environmental sustainability of milk production.
Aim
The aim of the research is to evaluate the efficacy of administering two products based on spriulina and A. nodosumrespectively after calving to dairy cows. The investigations were carried out using 30 cows bred at the experimental barn of CERZOO srl, which were divided into three homogeneous groups for production characteristics and pregnancy phase: one group received the basic diet without supplementation and functioned as a control (CTR); in one group 200g / head / day were added to the control diet starting from the day of calving and for 14 days, of a spirulina-based product (SPIR), 100g/head/day, of an A. nodosum (ASC)-based product was added to the third group starting from the day of calving and for 14 days. The products were administered mixed with the unifeed. Cows were monitored starting 3 weeks before calving and up to 4 weeks later for the parameters reported below.
Checks
• Chemical-nutritional composition of foods and diets;
• State of health and welfare of cows;
• Rest time;
• Body Condition Score (BCS) and rectal temperature;
• Daily rumination activity;
• Daily live weight;
• Methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen emissions (Greenfeed);
• Milk production, fat, protein, lactose, electrical conductivity (AFILAB system), coagulation aptitude, urea, somatic cells (FTIR);
• Blood samples to assess hematocrit, glucose, NEFA, BHB, cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL), triglycerides, urea, creatinine, albumins, globulins, total proteins, GOT, GGT, paraoxonase (PON), alkaline phosphatase, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, myeloperoxidase, Ca, Mg, P, Zn, reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMt), Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP); total antioxidants (FRAP), thiol groups (SHp);
• Physico-chemical parameters of rumen fluid
• Fecal sampling for the evaluation of digestibility.