Body composition of lactating and dry Holstein cows estimated by deuterium dilution
In three experiments patterns of water turnover and body composition estimated by deuterium oxide were studied in Holstein cows. In the first experiment, four lactating cows were infused with deuterium oxide, and blood samples were taken during 4-d collection. Milking was stopped; cows were reinfused with deuterium oxide and resampled. Slopes of deuterium oxide dilution curves indicated lactating cows turned water over more rapidly than nonlactating cows. In the second experiment with the same four cows, during 4-d collection, deuterium oxide concentrations in milk, urine, and feces showed dilution patterns similar to deuterium oxide in blood. Sampling milk may be an alternative to sampling blood. In the third experiment, 36 Holstein cows were fed 55, 65, or 75% alfalfa, smooth bromegrass, or equal parts of each forage as total mixed rations; remaining portions of rations were a grain mixture. Body composition was estimated at -1, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mo postpartum. Empty body water, protein, mineral, fat, and fat percentage decreased from prepartum to postpartum. First calf heifers contained less empty body water, protein, and mineral than older cows. Cows fed diets with 55% forage had more body fat than those fed diets with 75% forage. Cows fed alfalfa-based diets had more gastrointestinal fill regardless of grain than cows fed diets that contained alfalfa and smooth bromegrass. Gastrointestinal fill of cows increased from prepartum to 5 mo postpartum.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul
- OSTI ID:
- 5623500
- Journal Information:
- J. Dairy Sci.; (United States), Vol. 1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CATTLE
BODY COMPOSITION
BLOOD
DEUTERIUM
DIET
FECES
ISOTOPE DILUTION
LACTATION
MILK
URINE
WATER
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BODY FLUIDS
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
FOOD
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RUMINANTS
STABLE ISOTOPES
TRACER TECHNIQUES
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
550201* - Biochemistry- Tracer Techniques