Orientador: José Luiz Moraes Vasconcelos / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi o testar a combinação de tratamentos hormonais com progesterona (CIDR), gonadorelina (análogo de GnRH), prostaglandina F2a (PGF2a) e cipionato de estradiol (ECP), com a finalidade de avaliar tratamentos hormonais de sincronização da ovulação e viabilizar a inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF), em vacas mestiças lactantes Holandês-Zebu mantidas a pasto no verão. O trabalho foi dividido em 2 experimentos. Experimento I foi realizado entre Dezembro (2001) a Fevereiro (2002), em Fernandópolis, SP, Brasil. Os animais foram divididos aleatoriamente em 4 tratamentos: Controle (n=51): inseminação artificial (IA) 12 horas após detecção do estro; GP + CIDR (n=50): GnRH - 6dias - PGF2a e IA 12 horas após detecção do estro; ECPsynch + CIDR (n=52): GnRH - 6dias - PGF2a - 24hs - ECP - 48hs - IATF e Ovsynch + CIDR (n=53): GnRH - 6dias - PGF2a - 36hs - GnRH - 12hs - IATF. A análise estatística foi procedida por CATMOD (com nível de significância de P<0,05). A eficiência na detecção de estro foi de 50,9%. A taxa de ciclicidade foi influenciada por ordem de lactação (P<0,001; sendo de 41,4% nas vacas primíparas e de 72,6% nas multíparas) e por escore de condição corporal (ECC; P<0,001). A resposta ovulatória ao 1° GnRH foi influenciada por ECC (P< 0,01). A taxa de sincronização de ovulação não foi influenciada por tratamentos (P=0,45, sendo de 75,4% no protocolo Ovsynch + CIDR e de 73,0% no protocolo ECPsynch + CIDR), porém condição corporal (P<0,05) proporcionou efeito sobre a taxa de sincronização. Na taxa de prenhez a IATF, foi verificada interação entre os tratamentos e ordem de lactação (P<0,01), sendo o protocolo ECPsynch + CIDR mais eficiente nas multíparas (50,0%) em relação ao Ovsynch + CIDR (16,7%), e nas primíparas o protocolo Ovsynch + CIDR (37,9%) foi superior...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the combination of hormonal treatments with progesterone (CIDR), gonadorelin (GnRH analogue), prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a) and estradiol cypionate (ECP), in protocols that allow fixed time artificial insemination (TAI) in crossbred cows managed in a grazing based dairy system during the summer. The experiment was divided in two trials. Trial I was conducted from December (2001) to February (2002), in Fernandópolis, SP, Brazil. The animals were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatment groups: Control (n=51) AI 12 hours after estrus detection; GP + CIDR (n=50): GnRH - 6day - PGF2a - AI 12 hours after estrus detection; ECPsynch + CIDR (n=52): GnRH - 6day - PGF2a - 24h - ECP - 48h - AI and Ovsynch + CIDR (n=53): GnRH - 6day - PGF2a - 36h - GnRH - 12h - AI. Data were analyzed by CATMOD procedure of SAS. Efficiency in the heat detection was 50,9%. The cyclicity was influenced by parity (P<0,001; 41,4% in primiparous cows and of 72,6% in multiparous cows) and by body condition score (BCS, P<0,001). The ovulatory response to the first GnRH injection was influenced by BCS (P<0,01). Synchronization rate was not influenced by treatments (P=0,45, 75,4% in the Ovsynch+CIDR and of 73,0% in the ECPsynch+CIDR), but it was influenced by BCS (P<0,05). Interactions were observed between treatments and parity (P <0,01) in the pregnancy rate at TAI. Treatment ECPsynch+CIDR was more efficient in multiparous cows (50,0%) when compared with Ovsynch+CIDR (16,7%). In primiparous cows the Ovsynch+CIDR (37,9%) was more efficient then ECPsynch+CIDR (25,0%). Pregnancy rate in groups with TAI was influenced by BCS (P<0,01). The service rate in GP+CIDR, evaluated for 5 day after the application of PGF2a, was influenced by cyclic status (P<0,05). Conception rate of the animals that were inseminated after the heat detection (GP+CIDR and Control) was influenced by BCS (P<0,05)...(Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

nÃo hà / The mainly goal of this study was to compare the two most common breed groups of Girolando (ÂHol ÂGir vs. ÂHol ÂGir) through rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rates (RR), surface temperature (ST), hormonal profiles (T3, T4 and cortisol), milk production, number of inseminations (AI) per pregnancy and pregnancy rates (PR). We used 240 primiparous cows, 120 of each breed group. Physiological data were collected in March, April and May, and in September, October and November. The environmental parameters were: relative humidity (RH), ambient temperature (AT) and the temperature and humidity index (THI). The means of RH, AT and THI were 62.5%, 29.4 &#61616;C and 71 in rainy period, and 37.4%, 37 &#61616;C and 85 in the dry period, respectively. The RT means and frequencies for ÂHol cows remained within normal ranges in both periods and shifts with differences (p < 0.05) in means inside the rainy period between breed groups. The ÂHol cows had RT means above of normal ranges in both periods. The RR means and frequencies of ÂHol cows remained within the normal range in both periods and shifts with differences (p < 0.05) between periods. The ÂHol RR means were above normal ranges during the dry period and differed (p < 0.05) of another group and between periods. In relation to T3, both groups of animals showed higher concentrations in rainy period with differences (p < 0.05) between groups, and there were differences between periods (p < 0.05) in ÂHol group. With the T4 hormone, there were differences (p < 0.05) between the groups in the rainy period and between periods in the group of ÂHol. In relation to cortisol, there were differences (p < 0.05) in the dry period between the groups of animals and, between periods, for ÂHol animals. In relation to production, there were differences (p < 0.05) in the dry period and, differences between periods, in the other group. At lactation peaks there were differences (p < 0.05) only between periods. In the number of AI there were differences (p < 0.05) between the groups in the dry period and, between periods, in the animals of the group ÂHol. There were differences (p < 0.05) in PR during the dry season between the groups and, between periods, ÂHol group had a significant decrease in PR in the dry period. The animals best suited to the farm system without cooling are those of the breed group of ÂHolstein ÂGir. / O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi comparar os dois grupos raciais mais comuns de Girolando (ÂHol ÂGir vs. ÂHol ÂGir) atravÃs das temperaturas retais (TR), das frequÃncias respiratÃrias (FR), temperaturas superficiais corpÃreas (TS), perfis hormonais (T3, T4 e cortisol), produÃÃo leiteira, nÃmero de inseminaÃÃes (IA) por prenhez e taxas de prenhez (TP). Foram utilizadas 240 vacas primÃparas, sendo 120 de cada grupo racial. Os dados fisiolÃgicos foram coletados nos meses de MarÃo, Abril e Maio, e Setembro, Outubro e Novembro. Os parÃmetros ambientais foram: umidade relativa do ar (UR), temperatura ambiente (TA) e o Ãndice de temperatura e umidade (ITU). As mÃdias de UR, TA e ITU foram 62,5%, 29,4 &#61616;C e 71 no perÃodo chuvoso, e 37,4%, 37 &#61616;C e 85 no perÃodo seco, respectivamente. As mÃdias e frequÃncias de TR das vacas ÂHol mantiveram-se dentro do normal em ambos os turnos e perÃodos com diferenÃas (p < 0,05) nas mÃdias dentro do perÃodo chuvoso entre os grupos raciais. As vacas ÂHol apresentaram mÃdias de TR acima do normal nos dois perÃodos. As mÃdias e frequÃncias das FR das vacas ÂHol mantiveram-se dentro da normalidade em ambos os perÃodos e turnos com diferenÃas (p < 0,05) entre os perÃodos. As mÃdias de FR dos animais ÂHol ficaram acima do normal durante o perÃodo seco e diferiram (p < 0,05) do outro grupo e entre perÃodos. No que diz respeito ao hormÃnio T3, ambos os grupos de animais apresentaram maiores concentraÃÃes mÃdias no perÃodo chuvoso com diferenÃas (p < 0,05) entre os grupos, e entre os perÃodos houve diferenÃas (p < 0,05) no grupo ÂHol. Com o hormÃnio T4, houve diferenÃas (p < 0,05) entre os grupos no perÃodo chuvoso e entre perÃodos no grupo ÂHol. Com relaÃÃo ao cortisol, houve diferenÃas (p < 0,05) no perÃodo seco entre os grupos de animais e, entre os perÃodos, para os animais ÂHol. Com relaÃÃo à produÃÃo houve diferenÃa (p < 0,05) apenas no perÃodo seco e, entre os perÃodos, no outro grupo. Nos picos de lactaÃÃo houve diferenÃas (p < 0,05) apenas entre os perÃodos. No nÃmero de IA houve diferenÃas (p < 0,05) entre os grupos no perÃodo seco e, entre perÃodos, nos animais do grupo ÂHol. Houve diferenÃas nas TP no perÃodo seco entre os grupos e, entre os perÃodos, o grupo ÂHol teve queda significativa na TP no perÃodo seco. Os animais melhor adaptados para o sistema de criaÃÃo sem climatizaÃÃo sÃo os do grupo racial ÂHolandÃs ÂGir.

Esta tese está fundamentada em dois experimentos que visam colaborar na elucidação dos efeitos das afecções de casco sobre o desempenho reprodutivo de vacas leiteiras no Brasil. No experimento 1, um total de 57 vacas Holandesas no início da lactação foi utilizado para avaliar os efeitos das afecções de casco sobre o comportamento no estro. Os animais foram classificados de acordo com o escore dos cascos e o escore da locomoção, identificando-se assim animais com os cascos sadios e animais que apresentam lesões nos cascos. Todos os animais foram sincronizados com prostaglandina (Cloprostenol sódico). O comportamento destas vacas durante o estro foi monitorado por um aparelho de radiotelemetria (HeatWatchâ). Os dados relativos ao casco (variáveis independentes) foram associados com os seguintes dados relativos ao estro: número de montas, soma da duração das montas, duração média das montas, intensidade das montas e duração do estro (variáveis dependentes). Os resultados evidenciaram significância estatística apenas na relação funcional entre a variável dependente Duração do estro e a variável independente Escore de locomoção (P=0,0237; R²=0,0921). Quando foram considerados dois grupos, em função da presença do acometimento do casco, foi possível, utilizando a análise de variância, demonstrar diferença significativa com as variáveis Número de montas (P=0,0363); Soma da duração das montas (P=0,0280) e Duração do estro (P=0,0071). No experimento 2, 1447 vacas Holandesas foram utilizadas para avaliar a associação entre a incidência de claudicação e o desempenho reprodutivo. As vacas foram monitoradas desde o parto até a concepção, avaliando-se a relação entre a incidência de claudicação e os índices reprodutivos, compreendendo: intervalo do parto ao primeiro cio, ao primeiro serviço e à concepção; percentual de vacas com e sem claudicação que conceberam no primeiro serviço; número de doses por concepção e percentual de vacas com e sem claudicação vazias com mais de 210 dias de lactação. Os resultados demonstraram que no intervalo do parto ao primeiro cio houve diferença significativa (P=0,0021) de 16 dias; (P=0,0150) de 21 dias; (P=0,0027) de 26 dias e (P=0,0279) de 29 dias na data do cio quando a claudicação ocorreu no segundo mês, no terceiro mês, no quarto mês e no sexto mês da lactação, respectivamente. No intervalo do parto ao primeiro serviço houve diferença significativa (P=0,0159) de 13 dias; (P=0,0021) de 15 dias e (P=0,0044) de 17 dias na data do primeiro serviço quando a claudicação ocorreu no segundo mês, no terceiro mês e no quarto mês da lactação, respectivamente. No intervalo do parto à concepção e no número de doses por concepção não houve diferença significativa (P>0,05) entre os animais que apresentaram e que não apresentaram claudicação. Do total de 1447 vacas, 21,9% conceberam no primeiro serviço, sendo que 17% apresentaram claudicação e 82,6% não apresentaram; e 26% do total de vacas permaneceram vazias por mais de 210 dias em lactação, sendo que 68% apresentaram claudicação e 31,9% não apresentaram / This study is based in two experiments which aim to evaluate the effects of lameness on the reproductive performance of dairy cows in Brazil. In experiment 1,57 Holsteins cows in the beginning of the lactation were divided according to the hoof and locomotion score, respectively, and the incidence of lameness or not (healthy cows). All cows did receive were syncronized by prostaglandine (cloprostenol sódico) and its behavior during the estrus was monitored by a radiotelemetria device (HeatWatchâ). Following to this, it was possible to monitor the possible association of the lameness and the following data to the estrus: number of mounts, total duration of the mounts, duration average of the mounts, intensity of the mounts and the duration of the estrus. The results were statistically significant between the dependent variable estrus duration and the independent variable locomotion score (P=0,0237; R²=0,0921). While considering two groups, due to lameness, it was possible via the variance analysis to show the significant difference with the variable number of mountains (P=0,0363); sum of mountain duration (P=0,0280) and estro duration (P=0,0071). In experiment 2, 1447 Holsteins cows from 5 different farms were monitored from the calving date till the conception, where it was evaluated the relationship between the lameness incidence and the reproductive records, understanding: calving interval till first heat, first service and until conception; percentage of cows with and without lameness that were pregnant in the first service; number of dosis per conception and percentage of open cows over 210 days in milk with and without lameness. The results demonstrated that from the calving date till the first heat a significant difference of 16 days more (P=0,0021), 21 days more (P=0,0150), 26 days more (P=0,0027) and 29 days more (P=0,0027) when the lameness did happen in the second, third, fourth and sixth month of lactation, respectively. About the interval from the calving until the first insemination, a significant difference occurred in 13 days more (P=0,0159), 15 days more (P=0,0021) and 17 days more (P=0,0044) when the lameness did happen in the second, third and fourth months, respectively. In relation to the interval from calving to conception and the number of dose per conception, it was not found significant difference (P>0,05) between the animals with and without lameness. >From the total 1447 cows, 21,9% did get pregnant in the first service and from this animals, 17% did have lameness and 82,6% did not. Also, 26% of the total cows were open for more than 210 days in milk, and from this 68% did have lameness and 31,9% did not have lameness

The aim of this diploma thesis was to determine allele and genotype frequencies for g.10329C>T (A293V) polymorphism in the SCD1 gene in dairy cow populations, establish effects of this locus on milk production traits and fatty acids composition. At first, allele and genotype frequencies were determined. Subsequently the effect of this polymorphism on milk production traits was proved and effects of this polymorphism were demonstrated as well. For the determination allele and genotype frequencies the PCR/RFLP technique was applied. In this diploma thesis the effect of polymorphism g.10329C>T (A293V) on milk production traits was demonstrated as well as the effects of this polymorphism on fatty acids composition. The findings following from this diploma thesis show economical and health benefits of this SCD1 locus.

Oil seeds are natural sources of fat and protein in diets for lactating cows, and are usually fed whole or crushed. A recently released variety of safflower seed, 'Nutrasaff,' contains high fat (47% crude fat) and low fiber (26% NDF), and has a potential to be effectively used as a fat supplement for lactating dairy cows. Therefore, a lactating dairy cow trial was conducted to assess production performance of dairy cows when fed graded levels of whole Nutrasaff safflower seed (NSS), to determine the optimum level of NSS supplementation in the diet and to identify its impact on milk fat content and milk fatty acid (FA) profiles. Fifteen Holstein dairy cows in midlactation (118 ± 39 days in milk) were assigned into 5 groups of 3 cows each according to previous milk yield. The experimental design was a triple 5 × 5 Latin square with each period lasting 21 d (14 d of treatment adaptation and 7 d of data collection). The animals were fed a basal diet containing 56% forage (69% alfalfa hay and 31% corn silage) and 44% concentrate mix. The diet was supplemented with 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, or 4% (DM basis) whole NSS. The NSS was added to the diet by replacing whole linted-cottonseed. Intake of DM ranged from 26.4 to 27.5 kg/d across all treatments, and did not differ due to NSS inclusion. Yield of milk and ECM averaged 33.7 and 31.6 kg/d, respectively, and they were similar in response to NSS inclusion. Milk fat percentage decreased with increasing NSS inclusion, while milk protein and lactose concentrations did not differ among treatment diets. Milk fat concentration was reduced by 11% when NSS was included at 4% of the dietary DM. Feeding NSS at 1, 2, or 3% resulted in a similar milk fat concentration, and these diets also had similar milk fat percentage compared with the control diet. Concentration of milk urea N decreased by NSS inclusion regardless of level of NSS inclusion, implying that NSS supplementation improved dietary N use for milk production. Digestibilities of DM (P = 0.12) tended to increase when NSS was supplemented at 1, 2, or 3%. Cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) linearly increased as the NSS inclusion increased. Total concentration of n-3 FA increased by feeding NSS at 1 and 2%, whereas total concentration of n-6 FA linearly increased with increasing inclusion level of NSS. This study clearly demonstrates that it is highly possible to use NSS as a means of fat supplementation to lactating dairy cows without negative impact on lactational performance if added less than 3% of dietary DM. The enhanced milk quality with increased cis-9, trans-11 CLA concentration due to the addition of NSS could have positive implications to human health.

Three non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with rumen cannula were used to determine crude protein and dry matter rate of disappearance of two protein supplements: 1) soybean meal and 2) bypass protein blend by using the in situ bag technique. Rate disappearance (%/hr) was higher for soybean meal. Two collection periods were completed using 6 cows with a minimum of 21 d adaptation to the treatment top dressed on to the total mixed ration. Ruminal concentration of ammonia N, blood ammonia, and urea did not differ between treatments. Total concentration of volatile fatty acids was higher for bypass protein blend-fed cattle as well as percent molar concentration of propionate, butyrate, and valerate, while pH was lower. Total protozoa, and total and cellulolytic viable bacteria populations did not differ. Four of the cows received a dose of 5 ml of Prostaglandin F,a. Blood and cervical muc us samples obtained showed no difference in blood ammonia and urea concentration . Forty-six Holstein cows were assigned to one of the two treatments (top dressed on the t otal mixed ration), according to parity during the following 125 d postpartum. Daily dry matter intake and milk production were recorded. Feed, orts, and feces were sampled. Milk samples were collected weekly and analyzed for components. Percent lactose and solid non-fat showed higher for cattle fed the bypass prorein blend. Starting on day 10 postpartum, cows were observed for signs of estrus and bred at first estrus observed after 45 d postpartum. Cervical mucus and blood collected at first standing estrus, and first, seco nd, and third service, did not show a significant difference in urea concentration between rations. Twice-weekly collected blood samples showed similar monthly mean concentration of ammonia, urea, and progesterone profile for both treatment groups. Percent pregnancy, services per pregnancy, first service pregnancy and embryo mortality showed no significant difference. Motility and survivability of bull sperm were evaluated by incubating thawed semen in different levels of previously observed and/or ammonia. physiological There were no concentrations of urea significant treatment differences observed. Detrimental effects of treatment on sperm were not detected.

La valutazione oggettiva del benessere negli allevamenti di bovine da latte, risulta peraltro molto complessa e controversa. I principali problemi riguardano la scelta degli indicatori da utilizzare nel modello e l’aggregazione dei risultati ottenuti con ciascun indicatore in un punteggio globale che sia espressione del benessere reale. Alla luce di queste considerazioni, è evidente che un modello applicativo di valutazione del benessere necessita di una validazione scientifica. I nostri risultati hanno mostrato che sono soprattutto i valori di fruttosamina riscontrati fra la 3a e la 5a settimana di lattazione quelli che maggiormente riflettono la glicemia media delle settimane precedenti, quindi l’entità del deficit energetico e della riduzione delle condizioni nutrizionali degli animali Nella valutazione del benessere animale un altro aspetto fondamentale è rappresentato dall’individuazione di un eventuale status di stress cronico, ricorrendo ad esempio alla cortisolemia plasmatica. Tra gli indicatori di tipo fisiologico che sono sembrati molto importanti per la validazione dei modelli di valutazione del benessere animale, troviamo i parametri relativi a fatti infettivo-infiammatori (proteine positive della fase acuta, tra cui si ricordano l’aptoglobina e la ceruloplasmina, e quelle negative, specialmente le albumine e il colesterolo). Viceversa, l’utilizzo contemporaneo di una serie di indicatori di tipo biochimico-fisiologico, potrebbe fornire indicazioni per una valutazione più completa dei diversi aspetti del benessere. Ciò al fine di accertare se i suddetti parametri possano fungere da indicatori “assoluti” per ottenere indicazioni più oggettive delle reali condizioni di benessere/malessere degli animali allevati, costituendo pertanto un valido “riferimento” per i modelli di campo. Le informazioni prodotte con questo tipo di analisi possono fornire utili indicazioni sia in termini teorici di validazione del benessere (soprattutto per meglio precisare i vari aspetti che lo compongono e che confluiscono nel benessere globale) e sia in termini applicativi di miglior ridefinizione dei pesi relativi con cui aggregare i diversi aspetti del benessere nel modello di campo. Altri parametri fisiologici utilizzati come riferimento, e risultati molto importanti, sono il cortisolo e la fruttosamina. In particolare, i risultati ottenuti con questo approccio multivariato, applicato ai parametri biochimico-fisiologici hanno mostrato un parziale accordo fra la valutazione del benessere ottenuta con il modello SDIB. / The objective assessment of lactating dairy cows welfare is complex and controversial. The main concerns are the choice of the model indicators and the aggregation of obtained results in a global score that represents the effective welfare. According to these considerations, the animal welfare determination needs a scientific validation. Our results shows that the value of fructosamine between the third and fifth week in lactation strongly reflects the average blood glucose in the previous weeks, therefore it shows the energetic deficit and the low nutritional status. The determination of chronic stress is also fundamental to determine the animal welfare, it can be measured by the plasmatic cortisolemic value. Some indicators of inflammators-infective stress, such as the positive proteins of acute phase (aptoglobins and ceruloplasmin) and the negative ones (albumins and cholesterol) are some of the best physiological indicators capable of validating the determination of animal welfare. On the contrary, the contemporary utilisation of different biochemical-physiological indicators could give more comprehensive determination of animal welfare. The latter could be used as “absolute” indicators to obtain more objective indications of the real conditions of breeding animals' welfare, therefore, being a valid “reference” for field models. These kind of analysis can give useful theorical indication to validate the welfare (above all considering the global view of it), and also in practical applications capable of defining the relative scores aggregating several aspects of welfare in field models. Also cortisol and fructosamine are very important physiological indicators. Particularly, the results obtained by this multivariate approach, which was applied to biochemical and physiological parameters, showed partial agreement between the welfare evaluation by SDIB model.

Diss. (sammanfattning) SLU : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2009. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Einleitung: L-Carnitin spielt eine zentrale Rolle im Energiestoffwechsel. Da dieser in der Frühlaktation bei Hochleistungskühen besonders beansprucht und z.T. überlastet wird, ergibt sich die Frage, ob durch L-Carnitinsupplementation ein stabilerer Stoffwechsel und damit bessere Leistungen erreicht werden können. Zielstellung: Es wurde geprüft, ob bei Hochleistungskühen mit einer mittleren Milchleistung von 12000 kg/Jahr die orale Supplementation von L Carnitin im peripartalem Zeitraum bei zwei verschiedenen Applikationszeiträumen Stoffwechsel-, Leistungs- und Gesundheitsverbesserung erbringt. Versuchsanordnung: Aus einer Gesamtherde von 322 Kühen wurden 81 Tiere randomisiert auf vier Gruppen aufgeteilt. Zwei dieser Gruppen erhielten L-Carnitin (Supplementationsgruppen) und die anderen zwei Gruppen stellten die Kontrollgruppen (KG 1 n = 14/ KG 2 n = 11) dar. Von den supplementierten Gruppen erhielt Car. 1 (n = 26) von 3 Wochen (Wo.) ante partum (a.p.) bis zur Kalbung über das Futter täglich 5g L Carnitin (Carnipas®). Post partum bekamen die Tiere 1g L Carnitin von der Kalbung bis vier Wo. p.p. Parallel wurden einer zweiten supplementierten Gruppe, Car. 2 (n = 30), täglich 5g L Carnitin 3 Wochen a.p. bis zur Kalbung verabreicht. Klinische und Blutkontrollen erfolgten 28 Tage (d) a.p., drei d p.p, 28 d p.p. sowie 56 d p.p. Es wurden das Gesamtcarnitin (GC, n = 5), das freie Carnitin (FC, n = 5), Carnitinester (CE, n = 5), FFS, BHB, Bilirubin, Glucose, Cholesterol, Harnstoff, TTP, Albumin, CK, AST, Pi, Ca, Fe bei allen Tieren analysiert. Zusätzlich erfolgte die Erfassung der Laktationsleistung, der Milchinhaltsstoffe, der Rastzeit (RZ), der Zwischentragezeit (ZTZ) und der Morbidität. Ergebnisse: Das GC, FC und die CE besitzen in den supplementierten Gruppen Car 1 drei d p.p. höhere Konzentrationen als die Kontrollgruppen, die bei Car. 2 (p < 0,05) im GC und FC auch im weiteren Verlauf beobachtet wurden. Ein deutlicher Konzentrationsabfall aller L-Carnitinfraktionen vier Wo. p.p. wurde in den supplementierten Gruppen beobachtet. In den Kontrollgruppen stiegen sie zur gleichen Zeit nicht einheitlich an. Acht Wochen p.p. sanken die L-Carnitinkonzentrationen im Blut sowohl in den Kontrollgruppen, als auch in der supplementierten Gruppen weiter ab. In allen Gruppen stiegen drei d p.p. die FFS-Konzentrationen an (p < 0,05), das BHB auch in den supplementierten Gruppen, die Glucose- und Cholesterolkonzentration fielen ab (p < 0,05). Vier und 8 Wo. p.p. ließen sich ein Abfallen der FFS- (p < 0,05) und der BHB-Konzentrationen (p < 0,05) erkennen. Die Cholesterol- (p < 0,05) und verzögert auch die Glucosekonzentration stiegen an. Drei d p.p. stiegen die Bilirubinkonzentration (p < 0,05) und die AST-Aktivität (p < 0,05) an, dem ein ebensolcher Abfall (p < 0,05) folgte. Präpartal trat in der supplementierten Gruppen Car. 2 eine höhere Bilirubinkonzentration als in der Kontrollgruppe (p < 0,05) auf, was bei den AST-Aktivitäten zwischen den supplementierten Gruppen postpartal (p < 0,05) der Fall war. Drei d p.p waren niedrigere Konzentrationen des Proteins (p < 0,05), des Albumins (p < 0,05) in Car. 2 und in der Kontrollgruppe sowie des Harnstoffs (p < 0,05) in den Kontrollgruppen zu beobachten. Die CK-Aktivität nahm drei d p.p. zu (p < 0,05), um vier Wo. p.p. wieder abzufallen (p < 0,05). Gleichzeitig war einen Anstieg des Proteins (p < 0,05) und des Albumins in den Kontrollgruppen (p < 0,05), verzögert auch in den supplementierten Gruppen (p < 0,05), messbar. In allen Gruppen waren drei d p.p. niedrigere Ca- (p < 0,05), Fe- (p < 0,05) und Pi- Konzentrationen (p < 0,05) auffällig, die später wieder anstiegen. Im Verlauf war die Ca-Konzentration bei Car. 2 gegenüber der Kontrollgruppe höher (p < 0,05). Die Leistungsparameter differierten weder bei den Milchleistungs-, noch bei den Fruchtbarkeitskennzahlen gesichert. Bezüglich der Morbidität war auffällig, dass das GC und FC bei gesunden Kühen a.p. gegenüber den im Laktationsverlauf erkrankten gesichert höher war (p < 0,05). Schlussfolgerungen: Orale L Carnitinapplikation bei Kühen mit hohem Milchleistungsniveau erbrachte keine Stoffwechsel-, Leistungs- und Morbiditätsunterschiede gegenüber den Kontrollgruppen. Die Ergebnisse entsprechen aber der Hypothese einer gesteigerten ß-Oxidation durch die Carnitinsupplementation mit erhöhten BHB-Konzentrationen als Folge. Post partum gesunde Kühe hatten a.p. signifikant höhere L-Carnitinkonzentrationen als kranke.

This dissertation evaluated nutritional approaches such as the addition of betaine, prebiotics, probiotics, transitional metabolic substrates, and β-mercaptoacetate (MAA; a compound which inhibits β-oxidation) to the diet of lactating dairy cows to determine their impact on physiological, metabolic, hormonal and production responses during thermal stress. The first objective was to evaluate the use of an organic osmolyte, betaine to reduce the impact of heat stress (HS). Cows were fed either 0 (control; CON), 57 mg/kg BW (mid) or 114 mg/kg (high; HI) body weight (BW) betaine and subjected to thermoneutral (TN) and HS conditions. There was an increase in milk yield during TN with HI betaine over controls (P< 0.01), but the advantage was lost during HS. Plasma glucose increased during HS in HI dose cows compared to control (P < 0.01) as did plasma insulin (P = 0.01). Betaine increased milk production during TN and plasma glucose in HS, but did not improve the HS response. Objective two evaluated the use of a probiotic or direct fed microbial (DFM), Calsporin (Bacillus subtilus C-3102) to decrease the effects of HS in dairy cows. We hypothesized that feeding Calsporin prior to and during HS would reduce pathogenic strains of bacteria, maintain commensal microbes, and improve ruminal anaerobic fermentation resulting in improved milk yield (MY). Milk yield was numerically increased (1.26 kg, P = 0.11) in cows fed Calsporin during TN but was reduced under HS (-2.67 kg, P < 0.01) and milk protein content was decreased (P = 0.05). The DFM tended to decrease somatic cell count (SCC) across periods (P = 0.07). Calsporin addition to the diet did not affect respiration rates and was associated with higher rectal temperature at 1800 in HS (P = 0.02). The expression of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) was decreased with Calsporin treatment (P = 0.03) and in both HS and TN. The fecal microbial count did not change with the exception of the Calsporin strain in treated animals (P < 0.01). The third objective was to feed OmniGen-AF (OG) to dairy cows before and during thermal stress. We hypothesized that feeding OG to HS dairy cows will improve the immune response, and decrease production losses associated with HS. Cows fed OG maintained lower SCC compared to control (P < 0.01) during the recovery period. We did not detect differences between groups in serum calcium while serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations (P = 0.10) tended to be greater in OG fed cows across the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) portion including HS. Serum Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels were greater in OG cows (P<0.0001) across all sample days. Feeding OG reduced the HS response including serum Cortisol. The final study measured the effects of the metabolic substrate β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) during HS on feed intake and metabolites. Under TN conditions the cows received a bolus dose of BHB and dry matter intake (DMI) and metabolites were measured. The second part of this study used a bolus of MAA to limit the up-stream production of acetyl-CoA available for ketogenesis by inhibiting ß-oxidation. We proposed that dosing lactating dairy cows with BHB would decrease DMI, increase plasma insulin, decrease NEFAs and increase skin temperature by vasodilatation. The same cows were then subjected to HS and dosed with saline and MAA on different test days. The infusion of BHB increased skin temperature (time 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4°C r² =0.98 with serum BHB) and decreased serum NEFA levels (P < 0.01). There was no change in mean DMI, glucose or insulin. The bolus of MAA decreased feed intake, vaginal temperature, and insulin. There was an increase in serum BHB with the initial dose of MAA and an initial decrease in serum glucose (P < 0.0001) with MAA. Serum glucose increased as insulin decreased with MAA. The infusion of BHB did not alter feed intake in this study despite high plasma levels of BHB.