Journal of Dairy Science

ADSA Foundation Scholar Award: Shakin' off the rust – Oxidative stress and redox status as underlying factors of immune dysfunction in periparturient cows and preweaned calves

Dairy cattle can succumb to illnesses at any given time. However, most diseases take place around 2 clusters: (1) the time around calving, commonly referred to as the periparturient period, for metabolic and infectious diseases (e.g., hyperketonemia, dyscalcemia, mastitis, metritis, etc.) and (2) the first few weeks of life, referred to as the neonatal period, for diseases of calves (e.g., diarrhea or respiratory disease). Although the pathogenesis of these diseases is different, they share the feature that animals exhibit dysfunctional immune responses.

Impact of protein content and pH on the properties of microwaved, expanded, shelf-stable cheese puff snacks made from dairy powders

Certain cheeses (e.g., Mozzarella) can be stretched and molded when heated. If a cheese can stretch, perhaps its properties can also be modified to allow it to expand during microwave heating and drying to produce a crunchy, shelf-stable snack. To investigate this concept, we made a model system similar to pasteurized process cheese product (PPCP) that allowed us to vary 2 key parameters; protein (PN) content and the pH value, and to limit the meltability due to the high levels of intact casein.

Whey protein hydrolysate alleviated acetaminophen-induced hepatocyte pyroptosis by activating mitophagy

Whey protein is widely recognized as a high-quality protein source, primarily derived from dairy products. This type of protein is valued not only for its remarkable nutritional benefits but also for its substantial antioxidant properties and its capacity to reduce inflammation. Previous studies have demonstrated that whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) is effective in both the prevention and treatment of liver injury caused by acetaminophen (APAP) overdose. Pyroptosis is a form of programmed cell death that significantly contributes to liver damage induced by APAP, and it is associated with increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Effect of starter culture and lipase type in probiotic yogurt and sour milk with the addition of hydrolyzed walnut oil on free fatty acids, fatty acids and CLA content during fermentation and storage

The aim of this work was to determine how the addition of hydrolyzed walnut oil, types of lipases (from Candida rugosa and porcine pancreas) and storage time affect the composition, acidity, microbiota, free fatty acids and fatty acids content of sour milk and yogurt plus the monocultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12. Lipases were used to release free form of linoleic acid (LA) from walnut oil to create conditions favorable for conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) synthesis by the starter culture.

Effects of energy source on growth and body composition of Holstein calves fed only milk replacer or whole milk

Whether lactose or fat is a better fuel for protein synthesis and deposition in young calves has remained controversial. Also, it remains uncertain whether bioactive factors in whole milk might influence growth compared with a milk replacer of similar macronutrient composition. We used Holstein calves (3 wk old, 46.0 kg BW) to determine effects of energy source on growth and body composition over a 35-d experiment. Calves (n = 29) were assigned either to an initial body composition group (n = 11) or to 1 of 3 treatment groups (n = 6 per group).

Effect of timing of artificial insemination with conventional or sex-sorted semen on fertility of lactating dairy cows

The effect on pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) of interval from induction of ovulation to timed artificial insemination (TAI) for cows submitted to a fertility program and the interval from the onset of estrous alert to artificial insemination (AI) for cows inseminated to estrous alert was analyzed in 3 experiments. In experiment 1, multiparous lactating Holstein cows (n = 1,924) from 6 herds were submitted to a Double-Ovsynch protocol to receive their first TAI using conventional semen.

Relationship between captive bolt placement, tissue parameters, and brain contact in cadaver heads from culled Holstein cows > 30 mos of age.

Penetrating captive bolt (PCB) is a method of euthanasia and pre-slaughter stunning for cattle. Industry guidelines include multiple PCB locations with minimal scientific justifications. Objectives were to determine tissue depths, PCB position relative to anatomic features, and brain contact associated with 5 frontal placements and a poll placement for mature dairy cows. Cadaver heads were obtained from 22 Holstein cows >30 mos of age (HCW, mean ± SD: 278.83 ± 46.61 kg); all heads were stunned at a frontal location with a PCB at the collaborating slaughter establishment.

PYY-mediated appetite control and obesity alleviation through short-chain fatty acid–driven gut-brain axis modulation by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HF01 isolated from Qula

Obesity driven by high-fat diets is associated with metabolic dysregulation and gut microbiota disruption. Traditional fermented dairy products, such as Qula from Qinghai Province, China, are valuable sources for isolating novel probiotics with potential therapeutic applications against obesity. This study explored the appetite-regulating mechanisms and gut microbiota modulation by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HF01, a strain isolated from traditional Qula, a type of dairy product in Qinghai Province, China, in mice with high-fat diet–induced obesity.

Characterization of Growth and Metabolomic Profiles of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ProSci-92 as a Potential Probiotic Culture in Extended Milk Fermentation

The Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ProSci-92 (ProSci-92) strain was isolated from naturally fermented sour camel milk in the Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. Initial screening revealed its promising potential for lactose and protein hydrolysis. This study monitored the growth and metabolic dynamics of ProSci-92 and during a 60-h milk fermentation process using non-targeted metabolomics. Fermented milk samples were collected every 12 h, enabling comparative metabolomic profiling at adjacent time points.

Invited Review: Cows Grazing Pastures Containing Narrow-Leaved Plantain Have Lower Urine N Concentrations: Implications for Nitrate Leaching

Narrow-leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) has been proposed as a potential solution to sub-surface drainage (i.e., leaching) losses of soluble nitrogen (N) species (primarily nitrate; NO3-), a critical environmental challenge in grazing systems. It has been hypothesized that plantain has properties that can lower NO3- leaching through animal, plant, and soil-related processes. We summarize available evidence, explore mechanistic bases, and investigate the integration of plantain into mixed forage pastures.

Estimating the costs of interrelated reproductive disorders in dairy farms

Several reproductive disorders can occur in dairy cows from peri-partum until the start of pregnancy. Their occurrence can be interrelated, which complicates the estimation of subsequent economic impact. Estimation of the economic impact of reproductive disorders is essential for dairy farmers to make informed decisions. It enables them to prioritize the prevention of disorders with the highest economic impact. The aim of this study was to estimate the costs of dairy cow reproductive disorders, including dystocia, retained placenta, acute metritis, clinical endometritis, anovulation, cystic ovarian disease and sub-estrus, taking their complex interrelations into account.

Gestation length and its associations with calf birth weight, calf perinatal mortality and dystocia in dairy cattle

The objective of the study was to quantify how non-genetic factors associated with gestation length; also of interest was the associations between gestation length and calving performance. The study comprised 9,750 gestation length records from 4,256 multiparous dairy cows as few breeding dates were available for heifers. A linear mixed model was used to investigate factors associated with gestation length, while logistic regression was used for the analysis of perinatal mortality (including still births), calving assistance and dystocia; calf birth weight and gestation length estimated breeding values (EBV) were included as covariates in some models.

Influence of milk storage time on mid-infrared spectroscopy and its predictions for amino acid content

Mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) is increasingly used as a rapid and effective analytical method for the quantitative prediction of detailed milk composition, such as minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids (AA). These analyses require the transportation of samples to a certified laboratory. In this case, storage time may affect MIRS and its prediction results. This study aimed to determine the effect of milk storage time on MIRS and its predictions of AA content. 373 individual milk samples for the development of AA content prediction equations were collected from 7 commercial dairy farms (data set 1).

Comparison of vanilla-flavored milk protein beverages thermally processed by direct steam injection, retort, and autoclave

Ready-to-drink protein beverages are a growing product category. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 3 common thermal processes: UHT pasteurization with direct steam injection (UHT-DSI; 142°C for 3 s), retort (123°C, F0 = 5), or autoclave (112°C for 6 min) on the chemical, physical, and sensory properties of reconstituted vanilla-flavored milk protein beverages containing approximately 6.5% protein. Unheated and heated beverages were subjected to composition, minerals, pH, color, apparent viscosity, particle size, trained panel profiling, volatile compound analysis, and furosine analyses.

Capillary electrophoresis-based detection of cow milk adulteration in specialty milks and products: Physicochemical characteristics of potential markers

Specialty milks, known for their distinct nutritional profiles and expensive pricing, have received increased attention as a result of worries over their adulteration with cow milk. This study used capillary electrophoresis to detect cow milk adulteration (2%, 5%, 10%, 30%, and 50%) in raw, pasteurized, freeze-dried, and spray-dried forms of 7 specialty milks (buffalo, yak, goat, sheep, camel, horse, and donkey) and to identify particular markers derived from cow components. Cow αS1-casein, β-casein A1, β-lactoglobulin, and α-lactalbumin were identified as potential markers for detecting cow milk adulteration in specific milk types, based on their retention times.

Characterization of bacterial and fungal populations in retail kefirs in Ireland

Kefir is an increasingly popular dairy- or sugar-based fermented food product. The aim of our study was to investigate the bacterial and fungal communities in 28 retail kefirs including 21 milk kefirs, including 3 thick kefir yogurt and 4 water kefir products. Full-length amplicon nanopore sequencing of both 16S rRNA (for bacteria) and intergenic spacer (for fungi) was undertaken. The diversity within and between groups was analyzed (α and β diversity) and linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis was undertaken to identify biomarkers that differentially characterize the microbial communities associated with different kefir types.

sRNA C263 activated by transcriptional regulator RmaE modulates the cell wall under acid stress

Small RNAs (sRNAs) play crucial roles in response to environmental stress and contribute to bacterial survival. However, the understanding of sRNA response and regulatory mechanisms in Lactococcus lactis remains limited. In this study, a novel acid-activated sRNA, C263, was identified, which enhances cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis by base pairing with the mRNA 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) of murA, murC, and mraY. Additionally, it was observed that transcriptional regulator RmaE can activated sRNA C263 through binding to its promoter region at 5′-AAAATTTT-3′.

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