The Effect of Supplementation with A Mixture of Organic Acids and A Mycotoxin Scavenger on Milk Composition and Metabolic Disease in Early Lactation Dairy Cows

Abstract

In the dairy sector, improving the metabolic health of dairy cows at the start of lactation is crucial to ensure productivity and animal welfare. With this in mind, this study aims to evaluate the effects of supplementation with a mixture of organic acids and a mycotoxin sensor on milk composition and metabolic health in early-lactation Holstein dairy cows. This research was carried out on fifty-six multiparous cows, randomly divided into two groups: a control group (n= 28) with no feed supplementation and an experimental group (n= 28), receiving a daily supplement of 40 g of additive per cow for three months.  The additive was mixed by hand into the cows' daily ration. Milk composition was analyzed, and blood samples were taken from all cows for biochemical analysis. The results showed that supplementation had no impact on milk composition nor on aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and creatinine levels in either sample (P > 0.05). However, alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and cholesterol levels were initially higher in the treated group (P < 0.05), but this difference was no longer observed in the second sampling. In conclusion, this study indicates that supplementation with organic acids and mycotoxin scavengers has no positive effect on dairy cows milk composition or metabolic health.