Milk Yield, Composition, and Fatty Acid Profile in Milk of Dairy Cows Supplemented with Microalgae <i>Schizochytrium</i> sp.: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the microalgae (MIAs) Schizochytrium sp. as a dietary supplement for dairy cows with respect to the yield, composition, and fatty acid profile of milk using a meta-analytical method. The data used in the statistical analyses were obtained from 11 peer-reviewed scientific publications. The effect size was assessed using the weighted mean differences (WMDs) between MIA-supplemented and control treatments. Dry matter intake, milk fat yield, and milk fat content decreased (p Schizochytrium sp. MIAs. However, Schizochytrium sp. MIAs supplementation increased (p = 0.029) milk yield. The dietary inclusion of Schizochytrium sp. MIAs decreased (p Schizochytrium sp. MIAs supplementation increased (p Schizochytrium sp. MIAs could be used as a dietary supplement to improve the milk yield and fatty acid profile of milk obtained from dairy cows.

Keywords

• <i>Schizochytrium</i> sp.
• <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp.
• meta-regression
• milk quality