Journal article
Effect of ruminal mechanical stimulating brushes on rumen fermentation and plasma oxidative stress and subsequent milk yield and composition in lactating dairy cattle
HM Golder, P Celi, J Takahashi, IJ Lean
Animal Production Science | CSIRO PUBLISHING | Published : 2017
DOI: 10.1071/AN15751
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ruminal mechanical stimulating brushes (RMS brush) on rumen fermentation and plasma oxidative stress and subsequent milk production in early lactation dairy cattle in the Australian spring and summer. Two hundred pasture-fed Holstein, Jersey, and Holstein × Jersey multiparous cows were enrolled into Control (no treatment; n ≤ 103) or RMS brush (n ≤ 97) groups in a randomised controlled trial at 26 ± 15 days before calving. The RMS brush group had three brushes/cow administered orally. Each RMS brush consisted of synthetic polymer bristles held in place with a metal component and was enclosed in a paper capsule that dissolved after ..
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Funding Acknowledgements
This study was supported by Meiwa Sangyo Co., Ltd (Kyoto, Japan), Scibus (Camden, NSW, Australia), and The University of Sydney (Camden, NSW, Australia). The authors thank the owners and staff at Clarendon Estates (Gretna, Tasmania, Australia) for the use of their cattle and facilities and assistance and co-operation during the study. The authors thank The Dairy Science Group (Camden, NSW, Australia) for the use of their centrifuge. The authors acknowledge D. Giorgio, J. Molfino, A. John, and T. Biffin for their laboratory and farm assistance.