Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2024, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (11): 5114-5123.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2024.11.027

• Animal Nutrition and Feeds • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of Folic Acid and Cobalamin on Lactation Performance, Nutrient Digestion and Hepatic Lipid Content in Dairy Cows during Perinatal Period

Qiaoli YANG1(), Fugang LI1, Guojun YAN2, Qiang LIU1,*(), Gang GUO1, Cong WANG1   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China
    2. China Development Center of Rural Industry Integration, Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan 030001, China
  • Received:2024-01-05 Online:2024-11-23 Published:2024-11-30
  • Contact: Qiang LIU E-mail:1215775808@qq.com;liuqiangabc@163.com

Abstract:

The study evaluated the effects of coated folic acid (CFA) and coated cobalamin (CCA) on the lactation performance, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation and hepatic lipid content of dairy cows during perinatal period. Forty-eight Holstein dairy cows during perinatal period with similar parity, previous 305-d milk yield and body weight were assigned in a 2×2 factorial and randomized block design to 4 groups: cows in the control group were fed a basal diet, and those in other 3 groups were fed basal diets supplemented with CFA 6.75 g·d-1, CCA 0.6 g·d-1, and CFA 6.75 g·d-1+CCA 0.6 g·d-1, respectively. The study started at 21 days before the excepted calving date and ended at 21 days after calving. During the postpartum 21 days, body weight change (BWC) and lactation performance were determined, and samples of blood, rumen fluid and liver tissue were collected. The results showed as follows: 1) CFA addition significantly decreased the BWC (P < 0.05) and significantly increased feed efficiency (P < 0.05). The yields of actual milk, 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM), milk fat and milk protein significantly increased (P < 0.05) with CFA or CCA addition. 2) The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased significantly (P < 0.05) with CFA addition. The apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), NDF and acid detergent fiber (ADF) significantly increased with CCA addition (P < 0.05). 3) Rumen pH was not significantly changed (P>0.05), but total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) concentration increased (P < 0.05) with CFA or CCA addition. Rumen acetate concentration and acetate to propionate ratio increased significantly (P < 0.05) with CFA addition. Rumen propionate concentration increased significantly (P < 0.05), while acetate to propionate ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with CCA addition. 4) Blood nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and homocysteine (Hcy) contents decreased (P < 0.05) with CFA addition. Blood glucose content was not significantly changed (P>0.05), but folate (FA) content increased significantly (P < 0.05) with CFA addition. Blood glucose and cobalamin (CA) contents increased significantly (P < 0.05) with CCA addition. 5) Hepatic FA content increased significantly (P < 0.05), and total lipid and triglyceride (TG) contents decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with CFA addition. Hepatic CA content increased significantly (P < 0.05), but total lipid and TG contents were not significantly changed (P>0.05) with CCA addition. 6) When compared with CFA or CCA addition alone, the FCM yield, NDF digestibility and rumen TVFA concentration were greater (P < 0.05), and blood Hcy and hepatic TG contents were lower for cows receiving CFA and CCA together. In conclusion, addition of CFA and CCA together is more effective in improving lactation performance and reducing hepatic lipid content compared with CFA or CCA addition alone.

Key words: folic acid, cobalamin, lactation performance, lipid metabolism, dairy cows during perinatal period

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