The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of rumen-protected betaine (RPB) on dairy cows. Thirty-six Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to 3 blocks of 12 cows each according to their previous milk yield and days in milk (DIM). All cows were fed a corn silage-based total mixed ration (TMR). Two supplements were added to the TMR to produce 3 dietary treatments: 1) control, 2) 20 g/d RPB, and 3) 15 g/d rumen-protected methionine (RPM, positive control supplement). The milk composition and plasma parameters were analyzed to reflect the milk production of the dairy cows. Blood metabolites were analyzed with a high-throughput gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF/MS) metabolomics strategy coupled with a pattern recognition multivariate analysis between the control and RPB groups. Overall, the milk yield was higher (P &lt; 0.05) in cows fed RPB or RPM than in those fed the control diet. The milk protein content was improved (P &lt; 0.05) after RPM supplementation. An increase (P &lt; 0.05) in the milk fat content was observed with RPB supplementation. Cows fed RPB had a lower somatic cell count (SCC) than that in the RPM or control groups. No differences were found in the dry matter intake or lactose content. Nine metabolites (six upregulated and three downregulated) were obviously changed in dairy cows that were fed RPB. These metabolites were mainly concentrated on seven pathways, such as arginine and proline metabolism and cyano-amino acid metabolism. These results suggested that RPB supplementation could improve the milk performance and the health of dairy cows.

Effects of dietary supplementation of rumen-protected betaine on lactation performance and serum metabolites of dairy cows

2019 Fall National Meeting

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