Difructose anhydride III improves feed intake immediately after calving in multiparous cows

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of difructose anhydride (DFA) III on dry matter intake in multiparous cows immediately after calving. Seventy-four transition multiparous Holstein cows were allocated into control (CONT) and DFA groups. The average parity number in the CONT and DFA groups was 3.70 ? 0.25 and 3.67 ? 0.26, respectively. Individual cow measurements were collected from 14 d before calving to 7 d after calving. All cows were fed a total mixed ration and grass hay before calving, and were fed another total mixed ration and grass hay after calving. The cows in the CONT group received no DFA III during the experimental period, and the cows in the DFA group received 40 g/d of DFA III from 14 d before to 7 d after calving. Dry matter intake was measured throughout the experiment. Serum calcium concentration, ruminal contraction rate and body weight were measured before and after calving. Milk yield was recorded after calving. The dry matter intake did not differ between the two groups before calving, and the lowest dry matter intake was observed at calving in the both groups. The dry matter intake began to increase after calving in the both groups but was higher in the DFA group (P < 0.01). At calving, the serum calcium concentration decreased to approximately 7.4 mg/dl in the both groups. However, the cows in the DFA group showed faster recovery in the serum calcium concentration from the decline to above 9.0 mg/dl. The ruminal contraction rate did not differ between the two groups and decreased at calving in the both groups. After calving, the ruminal contraction rate began to recover in the both groups but was greater in the DFA group. The ruminal contraction rate after calving was positively associated with the serum calcium concentration after calving (P < 0.01). Average milk yield after calving was higher in the DFA group than in the CONT group (P < 0.05). The average dry matter intake for the first 7 d after calving was positively associated with the serum calcium concentration, frequency of ruminal contraction and milk yield after calving (P < 0.01). These results showed that DFA III enhances the ruminal contraction rate and increases dry matter intake immediately after calving in multiparous cows by quickly restoring the serum calcium concentrations after their decline at calving.

Automated summary

The study found that giving cows DFA III can increase dry matter intake after calving, promote ruminal contraction, and increase milk yield.