Effects of feeding propionibacteria to dairy cows on milk yield, milk components, and reproduction.
Two weeks before parturition, 38 Holstein primiparous and multiparous cows were assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: control animals (n = 13) received regular total mixed rations (TMR), the low-dose group (n = 14) received the control TMR plus 6 x 10(10) cfu/cow of Propionibacterium strain P169 (P169), and the high-dose group (n = 11) received the control TMR plus 6 x 10(11) cfu/cow of P169 from -2 to 30 wk postpartum. Weekly milk samples were analyzed for percentage of milk fat, protein, lactose, and SNF, milk urea nitrogen, and somatic cell counts. Daily milk production expressed as 4% fat-corrected milk was affected by treatment and week x parity. High-dose and low-dose P169-treated cows exhibited 7.1 and 8.5% increases above controls in daily 4% fat-corrected milk, respectively. Treatment x parity and week significantly influenced percentage of milk fat, lactose, and protein, whereas treatment x parity and treatment x week influenced SNF. Ruminal propionate levels were influenced by treatment such that high-dose P169 cows had greater molar percentage of propionate than did low-dose P169 and control cows. Change in body weight postpartum was influenced by week x parity and treatment x parity such that high-dose and low-dose P169 multiparous cows exhibited a more rapid recovery of wk-1 body weight than did control multiparous cows. There was no treatment, parity, or interaction on days to first postpartum ovulation or on estrous behavior at 45 and 90 d postpartum. We concluded that P169 might have potential as an effective direct-fed microorganism to increase milk production in dairy cows.
Stein
D R
DR
Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, 74078, USA.
Allen
D T
DT
Perry
E B
EB
Bruner
J C
JC
Gates
K W
KW
Rehberger
T G
TG
Mertz
K
K
Jones
D
D
Spicer
L J
LJ
D000085:Acetates / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002087:Butyrates / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D002452:Cell Count; D004032:Diet; D004971:Estrus / Q000502:physiology; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007774:Lactation; D007785:Lactose / Q000032:analysis; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D019936:Probiotics; D011422:Propionates / Q000032:analysis; D011424:Propionibacterium; D012098:Reproduction; D012417:Rumen / Q000737:chemistry; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis
D000085:Acetates; D002087:Butyrates; D005223:Fats; D008894:Milk Proteins; D011422:Propionates; C073294:growth hormone, bovine; D014508:Urea; D013006:Growth Hormone; D007785:Lactose; D009584:Nitrogen