Thais Casarin da Silva

Context: Protein is an essential nutrient in the diet of dairy cows, comprising rumen degradable protein and rumen undegradable protein (RUP). Balancing these fractions optimises nitrogen use, reduces waste and improves efficiency. Excess rumen degradable protein can harm reproduction by increasing urea and ammonia levels. Soybean meal, a key protein source, can be processed via heating or chemical methods to increase RUP. Aims: This study evaluated the effects of two protein supplementation methods – protection with a binding agent and heat treatment – on feeding behaviour, nitrogen excretion and reproductive performance in early lactation dairy cows. Methods: Cows (n = 36) at 38 ± 2.9 days in milk were assigned to one of three dietary treatments: a control group, receiving a total mixed ration with 16.42% CP and 5.15% RUP; a binder-protected group, with 66.9% of soybean meal treated with a binding agent (17.01% CP, 7.72% RUP); and a heat-treated group, where 66.9% of soybean meal was replaced with toasted soybean meal (16.12% CP, 7.73% RUP). Diets were fed for 42 days, following a 7-day adaptation period. Faecal nitrogen was measured weekly, and milk samples were collected to analyse composition (protein, fat and total solids). Nitrogen use efficiency was also calculated. Daily, dry matter intake, feeding visits, feed efficiency and milk yield were monitored. Fixed-time artificial insemination, preceded by an ovulation synchronisation protocol, was performed at 60 days in milk; pregnancy diagnosis was conducted 28 days later. Conception rates and number of inseminations were recorded up to 150 days in milk. Key results: Cows in the binder-protected group group showed lower dry matter intake, greater feed and nitrogen use efficiency, and higher milk protein and fat contents. The binder-protected group and heat-treated group groups showed higher conception rates. Conclusions: Binder-protected soybean meal enhances feed efficiency, reduces nitrogen excretion and improves reproductive outcomes, whereas heat-treated soybean meal also contributes to improved reproductive performance. Implications: Incorporating binder-protected soybean meal can enhance feed efficiency, lower nitrogen waste and support better reproductive outcomes, aligning with goals for sustainable and profitable dairy production.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a significant condition in animal production, particularly in feedlot cattle. Prevention and treatment generally rely on antimicrobials. Nonetheless, alternatives are necessary to reduce antimicrobial usage. Therefore, this systematic review discusses the use of dietary supplements in prevention and treatment strategies for BRD. The present review explores the use of probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, and minerals for preventing and controlling BRD in beef cattle under intensive and semi-intensive management. Published studies were retrieved from three different databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Overall, the results highlight the potential of dietary supplements in improving bovine respiratory health and immune response. However, results varied between studies depending on the combination of supplements, dosage, and timing of administration. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the most researched probiotic regarding its effects on bovine health. In conclusion, supplementation with yeasts, bacteria, minerals, and vitamins shows considerable potential for improving bovine respiratory health and the immune response.

Cattle are ruminant herbivores with great productive capacity due to a highly efficient digestive system adapted to degrade and take advantage of complex compounds, such as plant structural carbohydrates. The fermentative capacity present in their digestive tract comes from the colonization of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and protozoa that transform ingested food into substrates for energy production, while the regulation of consumption comes from environmental and physiological factors, involving the central nervous system and hormone production. The decision to consume or refuse food will be based on sensory perception and metabolic demand. Management errors and diseases are evidenced when there is a decrease in food production and consumption. These can be preemptively corrected with the use of animal monitoring technologies to predict drops in production. As an example of these technologies, animal monitoring collars evaluate rumination, activity, idleness and panting for 24 hours, establishing individual curves and notifying when the animal demonstrates alterations and, based on this diagnosis, it is possible to identify alterations due to environmental or physiological factors. Other technologies such as intelligent consumer feeders allow individual assessment and help identify the quality of the diet offered. Thus, the use of animal monitoring systems, combined with knowledge of their physiology, provides a more efficient breeding system with better animal welfare.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos das diferentes formas farmacêuticas contendo Butafosfan sob a produção de leite e o metabolismo de vacas leiteiras durante o pós-parto. A partir de ensaios in vitro e in vivo, duas formas farmacêuticas foram testadas em animais de produção. Trinta e seis vacas da raça Holandês, foram divididas aleatoriamente em três grupos: Grupo BUT (n=12), que recebeu solução aquosa de Butafosfan (150 mg mL^-1); BUTSR (n=12), que recebeu uma formulação de liberação prolongada de Butafosfan (150 mg mL^-1) e o Grupo CL (Controle; n=12), que recebeu solução fisiológica de cloreto de sódio. Todos os grupos, tiveram administração de três doses subcutâneas de 30 mL. A aplicação foi realizada no dia do parto (dia 0) e nos dias 3 e 7 após o parto. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas nos dias 0, 3, 7 e 10 para avaliação de parâmetros metabólitos e a produção de leite foi avaliada do dia 11 aos 60 dias pós-parto. O grupo BUTSR apresentou maior produção de leite (P=0.01), em comparação aos demais grupos. Observou-se que os grupos BUTSR e BUT apresentaram maiores níveis sanguíneos de cálcio (P=0.01) que os animais do grupo CL. O grupo BUTSR obteve maior produção de leite em comparação aos demais grupos, demonstrando que essa forma farmacêutica possui grande potencial, podendo ser uma alternativa para o mercado. Mais estudos são necessários para melhor compreender a ação do Butafosfan no metabolismo de vacas leiteiras no pós-parto recente.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different pharmaceutical forms of Butaphosphan on milk production and the metabolism in dairy cows during the postpartum period. After in vitro and pharmacokinetic assays, thirty-six multiparous cows belonging to the Holstein breed, were randomly divided into three groups: Group BUT (n=12), that received an aqueous solution of Butaphosphan (150 mg/mL); Group BUTSR (n=12), that received a sustained-release formulation of Butaphosphan (150 mg/mL) and Group Control (CL ; n=12), that received saline solution (NaCl 0.9 %). All the groups received three subcutaneous doses of 30 mL in the neck region, on the day of parturition (day 0) and 3 and 7 days after parturition. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 3, 7 and 10, postpartum. Daily milk production was evaluated from day 11 to 60, postpartum. The animals of the BUTSR group presented greater (P=0.01) milk production than the other groups. It was observed that the BUTSR and BUT groups showed higher blood levels of calcium (P=0.01) than the animals in the CL group. The BUTSR group obtained higher milk production compared to other groups, demonstrating that this pharmaceutical form has great potential for a future product and could be an alternative for the market. More studies are needed to better understand the action of Butaphosphan on the metabolism of dairy cows in the recent postpartum period.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different protocols combining cyanocobalamin and butaphosphan on metabolic markers and milk production by Holstein cows postpartum. We used 154 multiparous cows housed in a free-stall system and divided into five groups, using the number of lactations and the probable date of calving as randomization criteria. The animals received intramuscular applications of a 100 mg/mL butaphosphan and 0.05 mg/mL cyanocobalamin combination. The treatment was delivered in a volume of 1 mL for every 20 Kg of body weight on varying treatment days as follows: treatment 1 (T1), on delivery day (day 0) (n=36); T2, days 0 and 3 (n = 31); T3: days 0 and 7 (n = 30); T4: days 0, 3 and 7 (n = 28). The control group (CG) received saline solution on days 0, 3 and 7 (n = 29). Blood samples were collected for metabolite evaluation on days 0, 7, 21 and 30. Milk production was recorded once a week for up to 98 lactation days. T4 elicited higher average milk production (25.87±0.34 kg/day; P < 0.001) than all other groups. Administering butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin on days 0, 3 and 7 postpartum increased milk production and improved energy and liver metabolism in the animals.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes protocolos de administração da associação de cianocobalamina e butafosfan no pós-parto recente de vacas da raça Holandesa sobre marcadores metabólicos e produção de leite. Foram utilizadas 154 vacas da raça Holandesa, multíparas, mantidas em sistema Free-stall e divididas em cinco grupos, utilizando como critérios de randomização o número de lactações e a data provável do parto. Os animais receberam aplicações por via intramuscular após o parto da associação de 100 mg/mL de butafosfan e 0,05 mg/mL de cianocobalamina, em volume de 1mL para cada 20 kg de peso vivo, variando apenas os dias de aplicação: T1: no dia do parto (dia 0) (n=36); T2: dias 0 e 3 (n = 31); T3: dias 0 e 7 (n = 30); T4: dias 0, 3 e 7 (n = 28). O grupo controle (GC) recebeu solução fisiológica nos dias 0, 3 e 7 (n = 29). As amostras de sangue foram coletadas para avaliação de metabólitos nos dias 0, 7, 21 e 30 pós-parto. A produção de leite foi registrada uma vez por semana até 98 dias em lactação. Observou-se que o grupo T4 apresentou a média de produção de leite maior (25,87±0,34 kg/dia; P < 0,001) do que os demais grupos. O protocolo com a administração da associação de butafosfan e cianocobalamina aplicado nos dias 0, 3 e 7 pós-parto foi o mais eficiente em relação a produção de leite e contribuiu para um melhor metabolismo energético e hepático dos animais.