Biocholine in the Diet of Jersey Cows and Its Effects on Rumen Environment, Production Efficiency, and Milk Quality

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate whether the use of biocholine (BC) in the diet of dairy cows has positive effects on milk production, reflecting benefits to the cows’ health. For the experiment, 14 Jersey cows were used, with an average day in lactation (DL) of 130, with an average weight of 394.5 kg, randomly divided into two groups: the control group (CONT—not-additive) and the treatment group that received inclusion in the concentrate of 10 g BC/cow/day. The experiment lasted 28 days, with blood samples collected for complete blood count and biochemical analysis, milk production and composition, and rumen fluid and feces samples collected to assess digestibility. There was no difference in feed intake during the experimental period, but the animals that received the additive produced 11.52% more milk during the experimental period (p ≤ 0.05). When milk production was corrected for 4% fat, we found that productivity was 19.1% higher (p ≤ 0.01) in cows that consumed BC than CONT. A higher apparent digestibility coefficient of crude protein was observed in cows in the treatment group compared to the control (p ≤ 0.05). The percentage of total solids in the milk of animals in the treatment group was higher (p ≤ 0.05), concomitant with tendency of lower somatic cell counts during some days of the experimental period (p = 0.07). A higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in cows fed with BC was observed (p ≤ 0.05). Acetic, butyric, and valeric acids were in higher percentages, while propionic and isovaleric were in lower proportions in treatment cows compared to CONT (p ≤ 0.05). The activity of hepatic extravasation enzymes (ALT and AST) in serum was lower in the cows that consumed BC (p ≤ 0.05). The BC intake alters erythrocyte count, hematocrit percentage and hemoglobin concentration on certain days, with higher values in animals in the treatment group compared to the CONT (p ≤ 0.05). Lower lipid peroxidation and higher activity of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase) when cows consumed BC compared to the CONT (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, BC intake promotes animal health benefits and contributes to higher milk productivity.