FFECT OF PHYTOTHERAPIC ADDITIVES OR RUMEN MODIFIERS ON DAIRY CATTLE COLOSTRUM YIELD AND QUALITY

Colostrum is paramount to neonatal nutrition and passive immunity. In fact, as first source of nutrients for the calves, it is reach not only in immunoglobulins, but also in lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Therefore, good maternal nutrition during the transition period is important not only to promote cows’ health and performance but also colostrum quality. Several metabolic enhancers, and rumen modifiers are often used to mitigate the effects of the negative energy balance in the transition cows, hence, to improve colostrum yield and quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the effect of a commercial rumen modifier releasing monensin and of a phytotherapic intraruminal bolus on colostrum yield and quality. 75 Holstein dairy cows, blocked by parity (2 to 4), BCS, previous lactation yield and length were allocated to either a control group (CTL), a monensin group (MON) receiving , 20 days prior to the expecting calving date, an intraruminal bolus of 2.9 g of sodic monensin gradually released over 95 days, and a phytoterapic group (PHYTO) receiving, 5 days pre-partum, an intraruminal bolus composed of 5 g of Echinacea purpurea dry extract, 10 g of vitamin E, 5 g of l-carnitine and 5 g of silymarin (Silibum marianum) in a collagen capsule and released in the rumen during the first 24 hours after the administration. At parturition, colostrum yield (first and second milking) was recorded, and its density was assessed using a refractometer. Furthermore, a sample of colostrum was collected for analyses on humidity, dry matter (DM, %), ash, fat and protein content, Alanine (Ala), arginine (Arg), aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu), glycine (Gly), histidine (His), isoleucine (Ile), leucine (Leu), lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), phenylalanine (Phe), proline (Pro), serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), tyrosine (Tyr), and valine (Val), and mineral content. The effect of the treatments was assessed by ANCOVA using the Production, Functionality and Type index (PFT) as covariate in the general linear model of Sas 9.4. No differences were observed among treatments regarding the colostrum yield and density. However, a trend for lower concentration of Isol was observed in the treatments compared to the CTL treatment (P>0.1). Furthermore, a trend for increased content of K and Na (<0.1), and increased levels of Si (P<0.05) were observed in the treatments compared to the control, but no differences between treatments were observed. In conclusion, neither of the treatments assisted in improving colostrum yield and quality therefore, further research is needed to assess the effect of the treatments on cows performance during the transition period to evaluate if a phytotherapic treatment could be indeed a valid alternative to an antibiotic-based rumen modifier.