Mljekarstvo (Dec 2011)
Metabolic changes and mammary uptake of metabolites in milk in heat stressed cows
Abstract
Heat stress is a major economic problem in dairy cattle because it leads to reduced milk production and quality. Reduced milk production and quality is the result of reduced feed intake and changes in post-absorptive metabolism of nutrients. The aim of this study was to investigate the post-absorptive use of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), betahydroxybutyrate (BHB) and urea in milk production by determination of postprandial concentration of metabolites and the degree of metabolites extraction in milk glands. The use of glucose for energy production was increased during heat stress, and a small amount of glucose was transported to the mammary gland. Therefore, it decreased concentration of lactose in milk. The uptake of NEFA and BHB in mammary gland was significantly greater during heat stress, due to adaptation to decreased supply of glucose. This adaptation has shown a negative impact on the percentage of milk fat and protein. Elevated concentration of urea is the result of heat stress; it easily passes through the mammary gland and shows a negative impact on milk proteins. All these changes show a negative effect on the amount of milk produced during heat stress. Reduced influx of glucose in the mammary gland, increased utilization of NEFA and BHB in milk production and increased concentrations of urea during heat stress directly affect the production and quality of milk.
