Sertoli cells (SC) are the pivotal somatic cells within the testicular microenvironment and are responsible for supporting and guiding the development of male germ cells throughout spermatogenesis. The size of the SC population is a key determinant of spermatogenic efficiency and success. Although FSH is well-established as a crucial regulator of reproduction, its specific effects and underlying molecular mechanisms in immature SC of dairy goats remain unclear. This study was designed to address this knowledge gap.

Heat stress (HS) negatively affects the health, reproduction, and milk production of dairy cows, indicating a major challenge to animal welfare and farm profitability. Although environmental and physiological indicators are commonly used to monitor HS, cellular biomarkers such as heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) offer a promising approach for detecting HS at the molecular level. This research aimed to evaluate and compare HSP70 levels in the milk, blood, and saliva of lactating dairy cows across seasons, assess their environmental responsiveness using the temperature-humidity index (THI) as the standard environmental indicator of HS under temperate Australian conditions, and investigate the potential of milk HSP70 as a noninvasive biomarker of HS at the cellular level.

The objective of this study was to characterize differences in plasma and uterine metabolome from transition dairy cows according to vaginal discharge (VD) characteristics observed postpartum. Plasma samples were collected at 3 time points: prepartum (−14 d relative to calving; PP), on the day of calving (D0), and the day of diagnosis of metritis (Dx), whereas the uterine lavage samples were collected at D0 and Dx. The VD was assessed on a 5-point scale as follows: 1 = not fetid, normal lochia, viscous, clear, red, or brown; 2 = cloudy, pink, red, or brown mucoid discharge with flecks of pus; 3 = not fetid, pink, red, or brown mucopurulent discharge with <50% pus; 4 = not fetid, pink, red, or brown purulent discharge with ≥50% pus; 5 = fetid, watery, red-brown discharge.

Weather conditions of high air temperature with or without elevated humidity induce heat stress in dairy cows, resulting in elevated body temperature, reduced DMI, and subsequent loss of production. The temperature and humidity index (THI) combines temperature and humidity to provide a single measure of heat load. Farmers will face longer and more severe weather, resulting in more frequent and severe periods of high THI in the future. We present a method to identify cows with lower body temperature responses to elevated THI through an understanding of the variation in body temperature on cool days and the relationship with body temperature on days of heat stress conditions.

Calcium is a pivotal mineral element in maintaining bone health. Absorption and metabolic balance of calcium are essential for the formation and maintenance of bones. In this study, we investigated the promotional effect of calcium yak caseinate (CYC) on calcium absorption and its mechanism in ovariectomized (OVX) mice induced by removal of bilateral ovaries. Here, after OVX mice were supplemented with CYC, their apparent calcium absorption rate was significantly improved by regulating serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the calcium/phosphorus ratio, and the ratios of phosphorus and calcium to creatinine in urine.

In the Netherlands, bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) has decreased steadily from 2002 to 2018. From 2018 onward, the BMSCC has increased again, with a steep increase in 2022. This is an unfavorable development, and therefore, the aim of this study was to retrospectively explain the increase in BMSCC from 2018 onward. A multivariable (population averaged) regression model has been used to find associations between BMSCC and explanatory variables such as herd characteristics. The BMSCC showed a clear seasonal effect, being highest in summer.

Diets with 2 different DCAD (−40 or −80 mEq/kg) and with or without (+ or −) 23 g/d supplemental nicotinic acid (NA) were fed to prepartum Jersey cows. Cow performance and colostrum composition have been studied, but NA supplementation of prepartum Jersey cows has not been previously studied. To meet this objective, 40 multiparous Jersey cows were blocked by calving date and assigned to treatments. Treatments were administered for 29 d prepartum. Treatments were −40 mEq/kg without NA (−40/NA−), −40 mEq/kg with 23 g/d NA (−40/NA+), −80 mEq/kg without NA (−80/NA−), and −80 mEq/kg with 23 g/d NA (−80/NA+).

The objective of the present experiment was to determine the effects of MP supply on metabolic function of nonactivated (NA) and activated (AC) CD4+ T lymphocytes in mid-lactation dairy cows. Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows with a mean ± SD lactation of 3.28 ± 0.99, milk yield 51.6 ± 6.1 kg/d, and milk protein 3.38% ± 0.47% were enrolled at 86 ± 18 DIM in a barn equipped with 16 bin feeders. Cows and bins (16 cows/8 bins per treatment) were randomly assigned to treatments. All cows were fed the same herd diet (MP = 3,006 g/d) during a 2-wk adaptation period before enrollment and a 1-wk covariate period following enrollment to allow acclimation to the bins and collect baseline measurements.

Early feeding of starter is an effective strategy for modulating gastrointestinal microbiota in newborn calves. However, the effects of starter nutrient composition on calf gut microbiota vary significantly. Although both fiber and starch are essential for early calf nutrition, each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. This study investigated how high-starch and high-fiber diets influence growth performance, hindgut health, and microbiota in calves. Two groups of calves were fed experimental starters with distinct nutrient compositions: a high-starch (HS, n = 8) diet containing 40.4% starch and 13.3% NDF, and a high-fiber (HF, n = 7) diet containing 18.8% starch and 30.5% NDF (DM basis).

Antimicrobial use in preweaning dairy calves is largely driven by the high morbidity and mortality observed in early life and by on-farm management practices. However, such use also contributes to the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, raising important public and environmental health concerns. This study aimed to characterize antimicrobial use patterns and management practices in Brazilian dairy herds. An online questionnaire was distributed between June and November 2020 via social media, e-mail, and WhatsApp messages to reach dairy farm managers, including producers, farm owners, and professional consultants.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of administering 200 µg versus 100 µg of GnRH as gonadorelin hydrochloride (Factrel; Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ) at the first GnRH injection (G1) of the breeding Ovsynch in a Double-Ovsynch (DO) protocol on pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) at first service in lactating dairy cows. The study was conducted across 4 commercial dairies located in California (n = 2) and Wisconsin (n = 2). We also assessed the effect of GnRH dose on ovulatory response and LH release.

Dairy-beef and veal production play an important role in the North American beef supply, relying almost entirely on surplus calves that are marketed at a young age from dairy farms. However, suboptimal health conditions and improper management, due to their lack of a substantial role in dairy production and limited economic returns, have drawn public attention to the issue of surplus calves. To facilitate optimal care for these calves, crossbreeding and on-farm dairy-beef production have been promoted as strategies to increase the economic value of surplus calves.

Methionine can be a limiting nutrient in lactating dairy cows consuming diets with corn, corn-based, and soybean-based ingredients. Rumen-protected Met (RPM) supplementation improves productivity in high-producing cows, and the supplementation of RPM may improve productivity in high-producing cows fed moderate-concentration CP diets. The objective of this work was to compare an RPM prototype with a commercially available RPM product on milk protein concentration, plasma Met concentration, and mammary gland clearance of Met in dairy cows.

This observational study aimed to investigate the occurrence and distribution of biogenic amines in a representative set of traditional cheeses, grouped by milk origin (bovine and non-bovine) and cheesemaking technology into hard cheeses, pasta filata cheeses, and soft cheeses. For each sample, a wide set of parameters was analyzed, including gross composition, microbial count (culture-dependent), free amino acids, and biogenic amines (BA). Overall, BA content showed a high variability among cheese categories, reflecting differences in milk origin, extension of ripening, and cheesemaking conditions.

Social transmission of the animal-human relationship from mother to offspring has been found in horses, but we do not know whether it exists in cattle or other farmed animals. Vertical social transmission could facilitate a good animal-human relationship in calves raised by cows that have a good relationship with humans. We investigated the effect of a person interacting gently with foster cows on the later reactions of their foster calves toward humans. A total of 33 foster calves in 2 batches were assigned to 2 different treatments: 18 calves could observe a handler stroking and talking to their foster cow, and 15 calves only experienced the handler's presence and talking.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a highly prevalent retrovirus in US dairy cattle herds and has negatively affected dairy herds by reducing milk production, increasing culling rates, and contributing to economic losses. The objective of this study was to link pathogen genomic data with animal-level data to provide inference to BLV transmission pathways in dairy herds. Blood samples were collected from cattle of at least 8 mo of age during 5 different sampling periods in 2 different dairy herds. Following testing, we extracted, sequenced, and assembled the BLV proviral DNA using a prior validated and published protocol from positive samples.

Mastitis is a widespread and severe disease that affects the dairy industry. Bacterial adhesion to the bovine mammary epithelium is a critical first step in the pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus–induced mastitis. Immunoglobulins play an important role in the adaptive immune system. Bovine milk contains both IgA and IgG. Substantial knowledge of the antiadhesive effects of bovine milk IgA and IgG against S. aureus in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC) is required to develop effective vaccines against mastitis.

Doxorubicin- (DOX) and ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced acute myocardial injury pose a serious threat to human health and have brought a heavy medical and social burden. Currently, specific therapeutic drugs for the clinical treatment of myocardial injury induced by DOX or I-R are still lacking. Based on this, this study focuses on the potential of lactoferrin (LF) in treating myocardial injury. To further investigate the specific effects of LF on myocardial injury caused by I/R and DOX, a series of biochemical experiments were performed.

We investigated the effects of Lactobacillus paragasseri OLL2716 on sleep under psychological stress. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 78 healthy Japanese students in the fourth year of medical school were exposed to 2 consecutive academic exam stressors. They were randomly assigned to the OLL2716 or placebo group, and each group consumed 85 g of yogurt containing L. paragasseri OLL2716 or placebo yogurt daily for 8 wk. Two examinations were performed after 4 and 7 wk of intake.

Infant formula serves as a key nutritional intervention in early life, where sleep disturbances are prevalent and may contribute to memory impairment. Although dietary bioactive peptides have been reported to regulate melatonin (MT) and potentially improve sleep, their effects on memory remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of 3 different infant formulas (I, II, III) in a para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA)-induced zebrafish model of sleep deprivation. All formulas improved sleep architecture and modulated key neurochemical indicators related to sleep and memory, including MT, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR).