Effect of the administration of live yeasts in dairy cows during the transition period
The use of inactivated yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in the diet of ruminants leads to many positive effects, for example the improvement of the ruminal fermentation and performances thanks to the supply of high biological value proteins and group B vitamins.
| PROJECT LEADER: | Prof. Erminio Trevisi |
|---|---|
| RESPONSIBLE OF PROCEDURES: | Dott. Fiorenzo Piccioli Cappelli |
| SPONSOR: | PROSOL S.r.l. (https://www.prosol-spa.it) |
| DURATION: | 2022-2023 |
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 inactivated yeasts (generally Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in the diet of ruminants leads to many positive effects, for example the improvement of the ruminal fermentation and performances thanks to the supply of high biological value proteins and group B vitamins. In recent years the possibility of using also live yeasts was introduced, so many yeast strains with different properties were developed, and therefore it is important to evaluate the effects of the various authorized strains, in relation with diets and dosage.
The cells of the yeast represent an excellent source of essential amino acids, and the administration of live yeasts probably allows a higher protein supply than inactivated yeasts, thanks to their reproduction in the forestomaches. Live yeasts can also have a role in the sequestration of microbic endotoxins, which have a detrimental effect on animal health if absorbed.
Yeasts also produce a higher quantity of group B vitamins than the other ruminal microorganisms, which are of fundamental importance for the metabolism of the bovine, especially during the most critical phase of the productive cycle, that is the transition period.
Aim
The aim of the research is the evaluation of the efficacy of the administration of a live yeast produced by PROSOL srl, during the transition period in dairy cows. The investigation will be made in the experimental farm of CERZOO srl on 24 cows monitored from 3 weeks before calving to 8 weeks after calving. Bovines will be divided in two groups homogeneous for productive traits and pregnancy phase, control group (CTR) and the group treated (PROSOL). The yeast will be administered in mixed form with the unifeed.
Checks
- Chemical and nutritional composition of diets;
- Health and welfare status;
- Time of resting;
- BCS and rectal temperature;
- Daily rumination activity;
- Daily body weight;
- Colostrum yield and immunoglobulin content, calf body weight after birth;
- Milk yield, fat, lactose and protein content, electric conductivity (AFILAB system), coagulation attitude, urea, somatic cells (FTIR);
- Blood samples to evaluate hematocrit, glucose, NEFA, BHB, cholesterol, (total, LDL, HDL), triglycerides, urea, creatinine, albumin, globulin, total protein, GOT, GGT, paraoxonase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, myeloperoxidase, Ca, Mg, P, Zn, reactive oxygen metabolites, Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), total antioxidant (FRAP), thiol groups (SHp).
- Feces samples for a digestibility evaluation
Results
The cows in the two groups had similar mean ingestion values in both the dry and lactation periods. Only in the terminal phase of the controls (42-56 days after calving) the treated cows showed a higher intake of dry matter, although rumination tended to be lower in the treated cows. These data would suggest a greater degradation of fiber in the rumen of the treated cows, a hypothesis that would also seem to be supported by the higher values of β-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) in the cows that received the yeast, BOHB which should be of rumen origin as no differences were detected between the values of NEFA, glucose, triglycerides in the plasma of the cows of the two groups. No differences emerged between the cows of the two groups about the inflammatory state, in fact haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, zinc were similar in concentrations and trend during the test. The only relevant aspect is the fact that the treated cows had lower concentrations of ROMt and tend to be higher of FRAP (Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power), in line with the ability of live yeast to block bacterial endotoxins and produce vitamins that support the containment of inflammatory phenomena. The positive changes caused by live yeast supplementation led to better milk production in the treated cows. In particular, in the second month of lactation, the treated cows had a higher average daily production (TRT = 49.1 kg/d, CTR = 46.1 kg/d), with the same fat and protein concentrations.
Publications
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/3/472