Search Results (44)

This study was based on data obtained from a total of 9518 cows belonging to seven cattle breeds: local breeds—Polish White-Backed (249), Polish Red (269), Polish Black-and-White (255), and Polish Red-and-White (290)—and international breeds—Polish Holstein-Friesian (5917), Jersey (940), and Simmental (1598). The breeds were characterised in terms of the following parameters: length of life, length of productive life, milking life, longevity index, percentage share of yield in the first 305-day lactation and first complete lactation in the lifetime yield, and functional longevity. Reasons for culling and the relationship between the length of life/productive life and milk performance parameters were determined as well. The analysis of the length of life and length of productive life in seven different cattle breeds kept in Poland unequivocally demonstrates that local breeds clearly stand out in this regard in comparison to international breeds. They may in the future constitute a valuable gene reservoir for improving longevity in other breeds. The length of life of Polish White-Backed and Polish Red cows was 2817 days and 3607 days, respectively, while that of Polish Holstein-Friesian and Jersey cows was only 2131 and 1956 days, respectively, and the most common cause of culling of cows in Poland (39.07%), irrespective of breed, was reproductive problems. The favourable results of parameters related to the longevity of the local breeds of Polish Red and White-Backed show that they can become a tool for improving the longevity of international breeds. Full article

Ensiling grass with microbial inoculants is a promising strategy to enhance forage quality, animal performance, and environmental sustainability. This study evaluated the effects of a multi-strain inoculant (Lactobacillus plantarum, L. buchneri, Propionibacterium acidipropionici, and P. thoeni) on silage fermentation, nutrient digestibility, milk production, methane emissions, and rumen microbiota in dairy cows. In a 2 × 2 crossover design, 24 lactating Polish Holstein–Friesians were fed total mixed rations differing only in grass silage treated with or without inoculant. Inoculated silage had lower pH (4.56 vs. 5.06; p = 0.02) and higher crude protein (129 vs. 111 g/kgDM; p < 0.05). Cows fed inoculated silage showed higher ruminal propionate (28.3 vs. 26.3 mM; p = 0.03), reduced ammonia (7.61 vs. 8.67 mM; p = 0.02), and fewer protozoa (1.21 vs. 1.66 × 10⁵/mL; p = 0.03). Nutrient digestibility improved (p < 0.05), while methane emissions declined both per cow (368 vs. 397 g/d; p = 0.01) and per kgDMI (15.1 vs. 16.5; p = 0.01). Milk yield increased (p = 0.04), and the fatty acid profile improved. Our study revealed that cows fed inoculated silage had higher nutrient digestibility, lower methane emissions, and microbial shifts in the rumen detected by 16S rRNA sequencing (p < 0.05). Full article

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a cow’s breed on the content of minerals in milk depending on the stage of lactation. The study material was the milk of cows of two breeds, Montbéliarde (mb; n = 15) and black-and-white Polish Holstein-Friesian (phf; n = 15), kept at the same farm. The phf cows were matched with the mb cows by analogs considering the stage and number of successive lactations. Milk for analysis was collected six times during lactation when the official test milking was performed, and a total of 180 milk samples were collected. The fresh milk was analyzed for its proximate chemical composition and mineral content (Ca, Mg, K, Na and Zn), which were identified in the mineralization by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Milk of the Montbéliarde cows contained significantly more sodium, calcium, magnesium and zinc compared to milk of the Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. This enables the conclusion that the contents of these elements are determined by breed. This study demonstrates the variability of the contents of the analyzed minerals with time after calving. During lactation, the contents of potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium were the highest at the late stage of lactation, especially in the tenth month of lactation. Full article

Genetic disorders are caused by a hereditary change in the structure of DNA that may hurt the health and life of animals. Several recessive haplotypes and a few causative mutations are known in Holstein Friesian cattle: CDH (Holstein cholesterol deficiency), haplotypes with a homozygous deficiency in Holstein (HH1, HH3, HH4, HH5, HH6, HH7), BLAD (bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency), DUMPS (deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase), FXI (factor XI deficiency), HHM (mule foot, syndactyly), and BC (citrullinaemia). From a breeding point of view, these genetic diseases have highly negative effects and are a significant problem for breeders, exposing them to economic losses and hurting animal welfare. This study aimed to characterize the Polish population of Holstein Friesian dairy cattle, considering the carrier status of twelve selected genetic defects. This study was based on genotype data collected from 78,884 cows and 691 bulls of the Holstein Friesian variety. The studies were performed using Illumina Infinium microarrays. Among both bulls and cows, the highest numbers of carriers were detected for HH5 (appropriately 6.7% and 5.4%). The lowest numbers of carriers were detected for DUMPS, factor XI, and HHM. The study revealed one calf suffering from cholesterol deficiency. Full article

Background: The high dairy production of Polish Holstein Friesian (PHF) cows determines high energy requirements in the early stages of lactation. Unfortunately, it is very often difficult to meet this demand through feedstuffs; therefore, homeostasis may be disturbed and metabolic diseases may occur, causing a majority of cows’ health problems. Breeders are, therefore, looking for alternatives to the PHF breed using crossbreeding. Methods: This experiment involved 30 PHF cows and 30 PHF × Swedish Red (SRB) crossbred hybrid cows, divided into two age groups, <2 years and >2 years, at first calving. Milk and blood samples were collected at 35 ± 5 days postpartum for analysis. Data on reproductive performance were also analyzed. Results: This study revealed lower milk production for the crossbreds hybrid (27.44 kg compared to 32.08 kg), with a higher basic composition content than PHF cows (fat: 3.97% compared to 3.83%, protein: 3.53% compared to 3.27%). The heifers of the crossbreds hybrid reached sexual maturity earlier but did not affect the lower age at first calving. Dividing the cows into age categories provided a more detailed perspective of the impact of genotypic differences on reproductive and metabolic profiles in PHF and PHF × SRB cattle. The findings highlight the importance of considering age-specific effects when assessing the performance and health of dairy cattle with diverse genotypes. Conclusions: The choice between PHF and PHF × SRB should depend on the specific goals and priorities of the cattle farming operation. Factors such as overall milk yield requirements, market demands, reproductive management strategies, and health considerations should be carefully evaluated to determine the most suitable breed for a given farming context. Full article

Background/Objectives: In this study, the differences in protein and fat bioactive components between the milk from purebred Polish Holstein Friesian (PHF) cows and PHF cows crossbred with Swedish Red (SRB) were investigated. The objective was to assess the impact of genetic variation on the nutritional quality of their milk. Methods: This study was conducted at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences’ (WULS) experimental dairy farm in Warsaw, Poland, and involved 60 primiparous cows divided into two groups: 30 PHF×SRB crossbred cows and 30 purebred PHF cows. All cows were housed in a free-stall system with an average lactation yield exceeding 10,000 kg/lactation. The milk composition analyses included total protein, casein, whey protein, fatty acid profiles, and vitamin content. Results: Milk from the PHF×SRB hybrids showed a significantly greater total protein content (3.53%) compared to that from the purebred PHF cows (3.28%). The casein content was higher in the hybrids’ milk (2.90%) than the purebreds’ milk (2.78%), while the whey protein levels were lower in the purebred milk (0.50%) than in the hybrid milk (0.63%). The hybrids exhibited higher concentrations of certain saturated fatty acids in their milk, while the purebreds’ milk contained greater amounts of beneficial unsaturated fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins—E, D, and K. Conclusions: These results indicate that genetic selection through crossbreeding can enhance the nutritional quality of milk. The differences observed in protein, fatty-acid, and vitamin content underscore the role of the genotype in milk composition, suggesting that breeding strategies can optimize dairy products’ health benefits. Full article

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a metabolic enzyme responsible for the synthesis of fatty acids in milk and meat. The SNPs g.841G/C and g.17924A/G of the FASN gene significantly influence the fat and fatty acid content of milk from cows of various breeds. Therefore, these SNPs were selected for this study. This study aimed to analyze the relationship of SNPs and their genotypes with the fat content and fatty acid profile of milk from Polish Red-and-White (ZR), Polish Red (RP), and Polish Holstein–Friesian Red-and-White (RW) cows. Milk samples were obtained during a milking trial. SNP genotyping was performed using the real-time PCR (HRM) method. It was shown that SNPs (with specific genotypes) were significantly associated with the presence of fatty acids such as C18:1n9t and C18:2n6c in milk. In addition, it was found that the milk fat from the ZR (genotypic variant A/G, AA) and RP (genotypic variant GG, A/G) breeds often exhibited a more attractive fatty acids profile than the milk fat from RW cows. This information can be used by both cattle breeders and people interested in consuming functional foods. Full article

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the milking phase on somatic cell count (SCC) in milk obtained from the cisternal and alveolar parts of udders of selected Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. The study also assessed the impact of other genetic and environmental factors on SCC variability in cisternal and alveolar milk, including: the individual cow, lactation stage, age of cow, production level, milking speed, fat-to-protein ratio, and milking type. The research included 15 cows of Polish Holstein-Friesian breed at different ages, lactation stages, and with varying daily milk yield. A total of 210 milk observations were conducted, including 105 for 1 min milking and 105 for 8 min milking. The results obtained in the study indicated that milk obtained during two different milking phases exhibited similar SCC levels (F for LOGSCC = 0.79). The average actual SCC in milk produced by 15 cows in 105 observations for 1 min milking was 219,000 cells/mL, while for 8 min milking it was 229,000 cells/mL. The results were inconclusive, suggesting that SCC in cisternal and alveolar milk must be influenced by factors other than the milking phase. The analysis of variance conducted for this purpose provided the basis for stating a highly statistically significant effect of the individual cow (F for LOGSCC = 147.9), lactation stage (F for LOGSCC = 54.64), age of cow (F for LOGSCC = 12.39), daily production level (F for LOGSCC = 34.49), milking speed (F for LOGSCC = 17.56), and fat-to-protein ratio (F for LOGSCC = 22.99) on the variability of characteristics defining SCC in milk. In summary, SCC is characterized by high variability, influenced by a range of environmental and genetic factors such as the individual cow, lactation stage, age of cow, milking speed, and dietary fat-to-protein ratio. The influence of milking phase (1 min or 8 min) and milking type (morning or evening) should be considered inconclusive based on the entire population studied. For half of the cows, SCC in cisternal milk was higher than in alveolar milk, while for the other half, the situation was reversed. Further observations are required to confirm the hypothesis regarding the extent to which cows’ immunological response to bacterial infections is concentrated in the cisternal or alveolar part of the udder under national environmental conditions. Full article

Reproductive traits in dairy cattle are crucial for herd productivity and profitability. This study investigates the influence of relatedness to high immune response (HIR) Immunity+ sires on reproductive performance indicators in Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. A total of 5094 cows were analyzed, categorized based on their relatedness to HIR Immunity+ sires, and assessed for various reproductive parameters, including age at first insemination, gestation length, days open, calving interval, and calving ease. The results showed that the level of relatedness to HIR Immunity+ sires influenced certain reproductive traits, such as service period, gestation length, and age at first and second calving. Additionally, cows related to HIR Immunity+ sires exhibited a higher frequency of twin pregnancies and more complicated births. While some benefits were observed in certain reproductive traits among cows related to HIR Immunity+ sires, such as reduced age at first insemination and shortened gestation length, the overall impact on reproductive efficiency remains inconclusive. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the effects of using semen from HIR Immunity+ sires on reproductive performance in dairy cattle. Full article

Fat is an important energy and nutritional component of milk and consists of fatty acids. FASN (fatty acid synthase) is an enzyme that regulates the synthesis of fatty acids in the milk and meat of cattle. It was hypothesized that knowing the relationships between the genotypes of the tested single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the content of fat and specific fatty acids would make it possible to improve milk quality in the selection process during cattle breeding. This study aimed to analyze the relationships of SNPs (g.16024A/G, g.16039T/C) of the FASN gene and their genotypes with the fat and fatty acid content of the milk of the following breeds: Polish Red-White (ZR), Polish Red (RP), and Polish Holstein-Friesian Red-White (RW). The SNP g.16060A/C was included in the study, although its effect on the fat composition of cow’s milk has not yet been widely studied. Milk was obtained during test milkings. SNP genotyping was performed using the real-time PCR (HRM) method. The milk from ZR and RP cows was more often characterized by a more favorable fatty acid profile than the milk from RW cows. This information can be used by cattle breeders and consumers of so-called functional food. Full article

The objective of our study was to evaluate the predictive ability of a multi-trait genomic prediction model that accounts for interactions between marker effects to estimate heritability and genetic correlations of traits including 305-day milk yield, milk fat percentage, milk protein percentage, milk lactose percentage, and milk dry matter percentage in the Polish Holstein Friesian cow population. For this aim, 14,742 SNP genotype records for 586 Polish Holstein Friesian dairy cows from Poland were used. Single-Trait-ssGBLUP (ST) and Multi-Trait-ssGBLUP (MT) methods were used for estimation. We examined 305-day milk yield (MY, kg), milk fat percentage (MF, %), milk protein percentage (MP, %), milk lactose percentage (ML, %), and milk dry matter percentage (MDM, %). The results showed that the highest marker effect rank correlation was found between milk fat percentage and milk dry matter. The weakest marker effect rank correlation was found between ML and all other traits. Obtained accuracies of this study were between 0.770 and 0.882, and 0.773 and 0.876 for MT and ST, respectively, which were acceptable values. All estimated bias values were positive, which is proof of underestimation. The highest heritability value was obtained for MP (0.3029) and the lowest heritability value was calculated for ML (0.2171). Estimated heritability values were low for milk yield and milk composition as expected. The strongest genetic correlation was estimated between MDM and MF (0.4990) and the weakest genetic correlation was estimated between MY and ML (0.001). The genetic relations with milk yield were negative and can be ignored as they were not significant. In conclusion, multi-trait genomic prediction can be more beneficial than single-trait genomic prediction. Full article

This research sought to determine the effect of selected milk protein polymorphisms on the reproduction parameters of 598 black and white Polish Holstein–Friesian cattle. The analyzed genes were kappa-casein (CSN3) and beta-lactoglobulin (BLG). The following reproductive indexes were selected: the age at first calving, the interpregnancy period, the calving interval, and the insemination index. The influence of the identified genotypes on the course of parturition in cows was also analyzed. Source data were collected for each cow from the beginning of the herd life and reproduction to its culling from the herd or the end of its third lactation. Data on the age at first calving, the amount of semen portions for artificial insemination (insemination index), the interpregnancy period, and the calving interval for each cow were also collected. A contingency analysis was performed through contingency tables using a Pearson’s chi-squared test for each CSN3 and BLG genotype. The results show that the BB genotype of the kappa-casein gene was associated with the most favorable values of reproductive indicators. In the case of the calving interval, the values were significantly more favorable than those of other genotypes (p ≤ 0.05). No effect of beta-lactoglobulin polymorphism on the analyzed reproductive indices was observed. On the other hand, in the case of the interpregnancy period, significant statistical differences were obtained between the AA and BB genotypes. The analyzed kappa-casein and beta-lactoglobulin genotypes did not significantly influence the course of parturition in cows. To conclude, the genotype polymorphism BB CSN3 is the most favorable for the performance of the cows in the examined herd. Full article

A special feature of organic production systems is the cows’ significantly lower productivity, which is adapted to environmental conditions. The quantity and quality of colostrum is negatively correlated, high amounts of colostrum are associated with low amounts of immunoglobulins. Cows’ parity is also a modulating factor, and studies have shown an increase in colostral IgG corresponds with increasing parity. This study’s aim was to determine the effect of cows’ parity on colostrum quality, in an organic farm setting. From a basic organic herd of dairy cattle, 40 Polish Holstein–Friesian cows were selected: 10 cows each of primiparous, second lactation, fourth lactation, and fifth lactation. Colostrum and transition milk samples were taken from each cow seven times: twice daily on the 1st and 2nd days after calving (every 12 h), and once daily on the 3rd to 5th days. Multiparous cows’ colostrum had higher levels of total proteins, casein, and non-fat dry matter, versus primiparous. Only cows in the second and fourth lactations produced very good quality colostrum (with immunoglobulins over 50 g/L), meeting standards for immunoglobulin concentration. In conclusion, the production of very good quality colostrum is limited during the first lactation, which may suggest the mammary gland is poorly developed, and, thus, immunoglobulin transport is limited. Variability in the colostrum’s immunoglobulin content from first and second collections post-calving was higher in multiparous versus primiparous cows. Therefore, it should be good practice to freeze colostrum from multiparous cows in case of poor-quality primiparous colostrum. Full article

This study aimed to assess the effect of milk source and bear garlic addition on the selected properties of soft rennet cheese. Cheeses were produced from cow milk derived from two sources: Polish Red cows (PR) and Polish Holstein-Friesian cows (PHF) with a 0.5% (w/w) addition of bear garlic (Allium ursinum L.) dried leaves. Chemical composition and fatty acid profiles (GC) were determined in fresh cheeses. Fresh and stored for two weeks cheeses were subjected to microbiological studies, i.e., total aerobic bacteria count (TABC); count of Lactococcus sp., yeast and molds; coliforms; analysis of the proteolysis extension by means of o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) assay and free amino acids content (HPLC); antioxidant capacity as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP); as well as pH and water activity. Cheeses with bear garlic herbs were more prone to proteolysis but this was not accompanied by any effect on the microbial counts, water activity or pH. Cheeses produced from PR milk contained less monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) but were richer in n-3 PUFA and had a lower n-6/n-3 FA ratio than cheeses from PHF milk. Bear garlic addition increased DPPH anti-radical power but had less of an effect on the FRAP values. Full article

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cow breed and the addition of wild garlic on the sensory quality, volatile compounds, and physical properties of soft rennet-curd cheese. Cheese was produced from the milk of the Polish Holstein-Friesian breed Black-and-White type and the Polish Red breed, with or without the addition of wild garlic leaves. The samples were analyzed for their sensory quality, volatile compounds (using an electronic nose and GC/MS), color, and texture. The intensity of taste and smell characteristics depended only on the addition of wild garlic. PCA showed that the differences in volatile profiles resulted both from the milk cow breed and the use of wild garlic. Breed influenced almost all color parameters, while the addition of wild garlic affected all of them. The milk source, wild garlic addition, and storage duration influenced the majority of the textural parameters of the cheeses. The research conducted indicates that the addition of wild garlic leaves results in the enrichment of the volatile compound profile of cheese, making its taste and smell less milky and sour (p ≤ 0.001), while modifying its color and some textural properties (p ≤ 0.001); while, at the same time, not adversely affecting the sensory assessment of the color, appearance, texture, smell, or taste of the cheese (p > 0.05). Full article