Dairy

11 pages, 262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feeding Cactus (Opuntia stricta [Haw.] Haw.) Cladodes as a Partial Substitute for Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) Induces Beneficial Changes in Milk Fatty Acid Composition of Dairy Goats Fed Full-Fat Corn Germ

by Agni M. N. Corrêa, Camila S. da Silva, Marco A. S. Gama, Luciana F. P. Soares, Andreia F. de Souza, Michelle C. B. Siqueira, Elizabeth Q. L. de Vasconcelos, Victor J. L. Galeano, Robert E. Mora-Luna, Thayane V. M. Santos, Adriano H. N. Rangel and Marcelo de A. Ferreira

Dairy 2025, 6(3), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy6030023 - 30 Apr 2025

Viewed by 243

Abstract

The present study explored the combined effects of CC (Opuntia stricta [Haw.] Haw.) and full-fat corn germ (FFCG) as a source of supplementary PUFA on milk fatty acid (FA) composition of dairy goats fed elephant grass (EG). Twelve Saanen goats were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (GC or FFCG as energy sources, and the inclusion or not of CC in the diet as a partial substitute for EG). The proportions of various milk FAs were influenced by CC, FFCG, or both. Significant interactions between CC and FFCG were noted for most trans-C18:1 and CLA isomers. Specifically, including CC in the FFCG-supplemented diet increased the levels of trans-11 C18:1 and cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk fat, whereas these isomers were unchanged or slightly reduced with CC in the GC diet. Similar patterns were observed for C18:2 n-6, while C16:0 increased with CC in the GC diet. Ratios of trans-C18:1/C18:0 and trans-11 C18:1/C18:0 were notably higher when CC was included in the FFCG-supplemented diet. These findings suggest that CC inhibits the last step of rumen biohydrogenation in dairy goats, enriching milk with trans-11 C18:1 and cis-9, trans-11 CLA when supplementary PUFA is provided in the diet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Dairy Animal Nutrition and Welfare)

36 pages, 7158 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

The Calci-Inflammatory Network: A Paradigm Shift in Understanding Milk Fever

by Burim N. Ametaj

Dairy 2025, 6(3), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy6030022 - 28 Apr 2025

Viewed by 592

Abstract

This review highlights a paradigm shift in our understanding of hypocalcemia during milk fever by introducing the concept of the Calci-Inflammatory Network. Traditionally viewed as a pathological deficiency necessitating rapid correction (e.g., through calcium borogluconate infusions or dietary adjustments like dietary cation-anion difference), periparturient hypocalcemia is reinterpreted here as an adaptive, protective response. Within this new framework, reduced circulating calcium levels may help temper systemic inflammation by limiting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) aggregation and curbing excessive macrophage activation. The review discusses how calcium signaling, the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), and immune cell functions adapt under hypocalcemic conditions to modulate inflammatory processes. This integrated perspective not only redefines the role of hypocalcemia but also proposes the Calci-Inflammatory Network as a novel concept through which we can understand how changes in calcium homeostasis mitigate inflammatory cascades—potentially lowering the incidence of periparturient diseases and enhance overall cow health and farm productivity. Future research should investigate the long-term effects of hypocalcemia, the environmental influences on this Calci-Inflammatory Network, and their collective impact on disease susceptibility and inflammation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Dairy Animal Health)

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11 pages, 564 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acid Whey from Industrial Greek Strained Yoghurt: Effect of the Kind of Milk and the Way of Straining on Its Composition and Processing by Nanofiltration

by Marianna Karela, Lambros Sakkas, Evangelia Zoidou, Golfo Moatsou, Konstantina Milosi and Ekaterini Moschopoulou

Dairy 2025, 6(3), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy6030021 - 28 Apr 2025

Viewed by 259

Abstract

The acid whey derived during the production of Greek yoghurt, i.e., yoghurt acid whey (YAW), is considered as environmental pollutant due to its low pH and high lactose content. YAW may be obtained by centrifugation or ultrafiltration or filtration through cloth bags (traditional method) of the initial yoghurt, methods that could affect its composition. In the last years, efforts have been made to improve its composition using membrane technology. In the present work, the composition of 35 different YAW samples from Greek Yoghurt dairies was studied. The YAW samples were grouped according to the way of production and the kind of milk in the case of the traditional method. The results showed that both the kind of milk and the way of yoghurt staining affected its composition. Ovine YAW derived from traditional straining was richer in lactic acid and calcium than bovine YAW. Moreover, the composition of bovine YAW varied among the different ways of straining, and this affected its behaviour during membrane processing. Nanofiltration of three representative bovine YAW samples and one ovine YAW sample at their natural pH, i.e., pH 4.5, and at 25 °C removed the lactic acid at a range from 40 to 55%, and the monovalent cations > 60% and retained lactose and galactose at percentages > 95% and 80% respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Milk Processing)

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14 pages, 1003 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health and Growth Performance During the Pre-Weaning Phase of Angus × Holstein Crossbred and Holstein Calves Managed Under the Same Conditions

by Michail Sabino Moroz, Camila Cecilia Martin and Ruan Rolnei Daros

Dairy 2025, 6(3), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy6030020 - 27 Apr 2025

Viewed by 342

Abstract

There are few studies on how dairy × beef crossbred calves perform during the pre-weaning phase compared to dairy calves. This observational study evaluated birth weight, average daily gain (ADG), and disease occurrence in Angus × Holstein (Ang × Hol) crossbred and Holstein calves reared under the same conditions on a commercial dairy farm. Retrospective data from 379 calves (290 Holstein females; 89 Ang × Hol crossbreds: 46 males, 43 females) born between January 2022 and August 2023 were analyzed. Variables included dam parity, calving type, birth weight, colostrum Brix levels, serum total protein (STP), mortality, disease occurrence, ADG, and weaning weight. Statistical analysis used linear and logistic regression models. Ang × Hol male calves had higher odds of assisted calving. Male and female Ang × Hol calves had greater birth weights than Holstein calves, with males being the heaviest. No differences in STP were observed. Ang × Hol calves (both sexes) showed higher ADG than Holsteins but did not differ from each other. Holstein calves had higher odds of diarrhea (OR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.63–5.35), while Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) incidence was similar across groups. Overall, Ang × Hol crossbred calves demonstrated superior growth and lower diarrhea risk under the same management conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Dairy Animal Health)

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Dairy, Volume 6, Issue 3 (June 2025) – 4 articles

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