Effect of production level and source of fat supplement on performance, nutrient digestibility and blood parameters of heat-stressed Holstein cows.

The interactive effect of dietary fat supplementation and milk yield level on dairy cows performance under heat stress has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of production level, the source of fat supplements and their interaction on dairy cows performance under heat stress. In this study, 64 Holstein multiparous cows were divided into 2 groups and received one of two rations having either calcium salts of fatty acids (Ca-FA) or high-palmitic acid (PA) supplements (2.8% of DM; dry matter). After completing the experiment and based on maturity-equivalent milk, cows were divided into two groups of high-yielding (14,633 kg) and medium-yielding (11,616 kg). Average temperature humidity index (THI) was 71 during the trial period. Apparent digestibility of dry matter (p = 0.04), organic matter (p = 0.05), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF; p = 0.04) for cows fed Ca-FA were greater than cows fed PA. The milk fat content in high-producing cows was 0.3% greater than medium-producing cows (p = 0.03). The milk protein content in cows fed Ca-FA was greater than cows fed PA (p < 0.01). High-producing cows had greater serum cholesterol (p = 0.02) than medium-producing cows. The cows fed PA tended to have a greater BUN than cows fed Ca-FA (p = 0.06). Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase tended to be increased by PA, which indicates that cows in PA treatment may have experienced more adverse effect on the liver function than cows on Ca-FA. Therefore, under heat stress and in 90 d trial, milk production level does not affect the cows' response to PA or Ca-FA. Although cows fed Ca-FA received lower energy than those fed PA, they compensated for this shortage likely with increasing the digestibility and produced a similar amount of milk. © Copyright 2019 Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology.

Background

The response to fat supplement in dairy cows can vary significantly [1]. For example, 1.5 to 2 percent saturated fat of dietary dry matter (DM) had different effects on cow performance compared with a ration with other fat supplements, including increase in milk yield [2], or no difference in production [3]. Part of the variation in response to fat supplements can be explained by the lactation stage, level of production, environmental conditions, the type of fat and their interactions [4]. Environmental conditions including heat stress (THI > 68) can affect the cow performance. Cows subjected to the heat stress experience the metabolic changes, which reduce their feed intake and ultimately their milk yield [5]. To compensate for energy shortages under heat stress, neutral ruminal fats are commonly used. Use of neutral ruminal fats such as calcium salts of fatty acids (Ca-FA) or high palmitic acid (PA) may increase the performance of dairy cows under heat stress [6].

Moreover, cows with different levels of production have different physiology and metabolism [7], which can affect their response to dietary fat supplementation. For example, feeding saturated fat in comparison with unsaturated fat increased the production of milk protein in high-producing cows compared with low-producing cows [8]. Furthermore, the use of Ca-FA reduced milk fat in high-yielding cows, but did not affect the low-yielding cows [7,9].

Another important factor causing different responses is the source of fat (Ca-FA and PA). Feeding high-yielding cows with PA, compared with Ca-FA, under no heat stress resulted in an increase of 1.7 kg/day in milk and 40 g/day in milk fat yield [4]. This increased production was partly related to the fact that cows fed PA tended to have a higher feed intake [4]. When the same experiment was repeated in summer taking into account the production level of the cows, it did not reveal any interaction between the production level and fat source on the milk production and ingredients except that high-yielding cows fed Ca-FA had a lower milk fat compared with high-yielding cows fed PA [7].

Moreover, most studies on the effect of fat on dairy cows, in short-term of 21-day, have been conducted using Latin Square design[4,9,10]. Some report that Latin Square designs (with 21-day periods) are not suitable for estimating the effect of fats on the performance of dairy cows, and can have carry-over effects [1].

To our knowledge, no study has evaluated various sources of fat (Ca-FA vs PA) in the ration of the dairy cows under heat stress and based on the production level in a 90-d trial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction between production level and source of fat supplement and their effect on milk production and ingredients, digestibility of nutrients and biochemical parameters of blood in Holstein dairy cows under heat stress. We hypothesized that under heat stress condition different source of fat would affect cow performance with different level of productivity.

Materials and Methods

Environmental measurements and calculation of temperature-humidity index

The study was conducted from July to October 2013. To calculate the temperature-humidity index (THI), ambient temperature (Tdb, %) and relative humidity (RH, %) were recorded using a temperature and humidity data-logger (ST-172; Fotronic Co., Melrose, MA) every 15 min: THI = (1.8 × Tdb + 32) − [(0.55 − 0.0055 × RH) × (1.8 × Tdb − 26.8)] [11]. All animal procedures were conducted under protocols approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the Iranian Council of Animal Care [12].

Cows management and treatments

The study was conducted at a commercial dairy farm (Fude farm; Isfahan, Iran). Cows were kept in two free-stall barns, and housing and feeding management was the same for all cows. Sixty four Holstein multiparous cows were selected and divided into 2 groups (n = 32/group) over a total period of 90 days and randomly assigned to Ca-FA or high-palmitic acid (PA) diets. After completing the experiment and based on maturity-equivalent milk, cows were divided into two groups of high-yielding (59.6 ± 21 DIM, parity = 2.6 ± 0.7, milk production = 52.6 ± 7.1 kg/d; mean ± SE) and medium-yielding (57.2 ± 22 DIM, parity = 2.6 ± 0.7, milk production = 46.0 ± 6.5 kg/d; mean ± SE).

Cows were fed either a diet with 2.8% Ca-FA or a diet with 2.8% PA on a DM basis. Energizer RP10 (IFFCO, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) was the PA used, which contained 99% total fatty acids (FA) as 85% C16:0 and 2% C18:0. Energizer Gold (IFFCO, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) was the Ca-FA used, which contained 13% ash, 2.5%−5% moisture, 8.5%−10% calcium, and 87.5% total FA as 0.2% C12:0; 1.2% C14:0; 47.6% C16:0; 5% C18:0; 38% C18:1; and 8% C18:2. Diets were formulated to be similar in crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and dietary net energy of lactation (NEL) values were 1.77 and 1.74 Mcal/kg, for the PA and Ca-FA, respectively. Ingredients and chemical composition of the different diets are shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

Feed ingredients and chemical composition of experimental diets on a dry matter basis

Item	Experimental diets
	PA	Ca-FA
Ingredient (g/kg DM)
Corn silage	265.9	265.9
Alfalfa hay	114.7	114.7
Ground barley	180.4	180.4
Ground corn	152.5	152.5
Ground wheat	23.0	23.0
Whole cottonseed	47.1	47.1
Roasted soybean	14.1	14.1
Soybean meal	92.2	92.2
SigmaPlus[1)]	10.6	10.6
Canola meal	23.5	23.5
Meat meal	9.30	9.30
Fish meal	8.80	8.80
Smart-amine	0.50	0.50
C16:0 enriched palm fat[2)]	28.0	-
Ca-salts of palm fat[3)]	-	28.0
Vitamin-mineral mixture[4)]	2.60	2.60
Sodium-bicarbonate	11.0	11.0
Calcium carbonate	7.80	7.80
Di-calcium phosphate	2.50	2.50
Salt	4.60	4.60
Chemical composition
DM (g/kg)	442	452
NEL[5)] (Mcal/kg DM)	1.77	1.74
CP (g/kg DM)	163	166
NDF (g/kg DM)	333.2	341.6
ADF (g/kg DM)	224.4	225.7
NFC[6)] (g/kg DM)	428	435
Fat (g/kg DM)	66	61
Ash (g/kg DM)	80	89

By-pass soybean meal: Mehr Bisotune, Isfahan, Iran.

Energizer RP10, IFFCO, Malaysia. Composition: crude fat 99% (C16:0, 85%; C18:0, 2%).

Energizer Gold, IFFCO, Malaysia. Composition: ash 13%, moisture 2.5%−5%, calcium 8.5%−10%, crude fat 87.5% (C12:0, 0.2%; C14:0, 1.2%; C16:0, 47.6%; C18:0, 5%; C18:1, 38%; C18:2, 8%).

Composition: 10 g/kg of Mn, 16 g/kg of Zn, 4 g/kg of Cu, 0.15 g/kg of I, 0.12 g/kg of Co, 0.8 g/kg of Fe, 1,300,000 IU/kg of vitamin A, 360,000 IU/kg of vitamin D, and 12,000 IU/kg of vitamin E, 0.08 g/kg of Se.

Calculated from NRC [37].

Nonfibrous carbohydrates [NFC = OM − (NDF + CP + EE)].PA, high-palmitic acid; Ca-FA, calcium salts of fatty acids; DM, dry matter; NEL, net energy of lactation; CP, crude protein; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; ADF, acid detergent fiber; NFC, non-fiber carbohydrates; OM, organic matter; EE, ether extract.

Sampling, measurements, and analyses

Cows were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) three times daily at approximately 0500, 1230, and 1700 h, in amounts that resulted in 5%−10% orts. Cows had free access to water. The TMR for each free-stall barn were prepared separately and the fat supplements were mixed properly and precisely. Samples of TMR were collected weekly and frozen at −20% until further analysis. The DM content of the diets was determined by drying in a forced-air oven at 60% for 48 h. Weekly dried diet samples were ground (Wiley mill, Arthur H. Thomas, Swedesboro, NJ 08085 U.S.A) using a 1-mm screen and analyzed for composition. The ground samples in three replicate were analyzed for NDF with sodium sulfite and heat stable α-amylase (100 μL/sample) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) according to Van Soest et al. [13]. Contents of DM, ash, CP, and ether extract were analyzed according to AOAC International [14]. Fecal grab samples were obtained from each cow once every two weeks after morning and afternoon feeding. Fecal grab samples frozen at −20% until further analysis. Samples were dried in a forced-air oven at 60% for 72 h, ground to pass through a 1-mm screen, and analyzed for DM, ash, ADF, NDF, CP, and ether extract, as described for feeds and orts. Apparent total-tract digestibilities of nutrients were obtained using the acid-insoluble ash internal marker method [15].

Cows were milked four times daily at 0600, 1200, 1600 and 2400 h. Milk yield was recorded once every two weeks from individual cows. Milk samples from individual cows were collected from four consecutive milking and composited by each milking on the first day of trial and every two weeks thereafter. Milk samples were analyzed for fat, crude protein and total solid (TS) by Milkoscan (134 BN Foss Electric, Hillerød, Denmark). The milk urea nitrogen (MUN) content was determined by enzymatic assay [16]. Yields of milk components were calculated by multiplying the concentration of the component by the yield of milk at each milking time on days during which the sample was taken.

Body condition (BCS) [17] was scored by two experienced scorers at the beginning and end of each experimental period. Back-fat thickness (BFT) was measured according to Schröder and Staufenbiel [18] at an imaginary line between the hooks and pins at the sacral examination site once weekly by ultrasound (SonoVet 600 V; BCF Technology Ltd., West Lothian, UK). Cow health was monitored daily by dairy personnel and weekly by the research staff.

Ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites and reproductive data

Blood samples from the coccygeal vessel were collected in evacuated tubes with anticoagulant (EDTA) at approximately 4 h post-feeding on the first day of trial and monthly thereafter. Samples were centrifuged for 20 min at 3,000 ×g at 4% for plasma separation, and each sample was divided into 3 aliquots and frozen at −20% until analysis. Concentrations of plasma glucose, total cholesterol, total triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total protein, albumin, blood urea N (BUN; Pars Azmoon Co., Tehran, Iran), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT, Pars Azmoon Co., Tehran, Iran) were determined automatically by using standard test kits on an ALCYON 300i automatic analyzer (Abbott Laboratories Ltd., Chicago, IL). The analyzer was calibrated with the control sera N and P (TrueLab N® and TrueLab P®, respectively; Pars Azmoon Co., Tehran, Iran) and a calibrator solution (TrueCal U®, Pars Azmoon Co., Tehran, Iran) to ensure acceptable assay performance. Globulin concentrations was obtained by deducting albumin from total protein.

Additionally, 5 mL of blood samples was collected into sodium-heparinized Vacutainers (Becton Dickinson Co., Rutherford, NJ, USA), which were immediately placed on ice and transported to the laboratory. Hematological analysis was performed on all blood samples using an Automated Sysmex hematology analyzer (model K-1000; Black Scientific Inc., Bellport, NY).

On the last day of experiment, ruminal fluid was sampled from six cows in each treatments, approximately 3−4 h after the morning feeding, using a stomach tube connected to a vacuum pump. The first 50 mL of the aspirated rumen fluid was discarded to minimize saliva contamination. The pH was measured immediately, using a portable digital pH meter (HI 8314 membrane pH meter, Hanna Instruments, Villafranca, Italy). Then, ruminal liquor samples were strained through two layers of cheesecloth. A sub-sample of strained ruminal fluid was analyzed for NH3 by the colorimetric phenol-hypochlorite method [19]. Another sub-sample (15 mL) of strained ruminal fluid was diluted with 3 mL of 25% metaphosphoric acid for VFA analysis using gas chromatography (0.25 × 0.32, 0.3 μm i.d. fused silica capillary, model no. CP-9002 Vulcanusweg 259 a.m., Chrompack, Delft, The Netherlands).

Reproductive data (service per conception, conception rate, proportion pregnant, open days, and daughter pregnancy rate) were obtained. The voluntary waiting period of the herd was 60 d, and cows were inseminated based on a voluntary waiting period. All cows were observed for signs of estrus for a 30-min period three times daily and were inseminated within 12 h of detected estrus. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography (Easi-Scan version 3, BCF Technology Ltd, Livingston, UK) at 30 d after AI. Cows diagnosed pregnant at d 30, were re-examined by rectal palpation at 60 ± 3 d after AI to confirm pregnancy.

Statistical analyses

Statistical analyses were performed by ANOVA using the MIXED procedure of SAS (version 9.1.22, SAS Institute Inc., 2002) using the following model: Y = α + PL + FS + (PL × FS) + T + (PL × T) + (FS × T) + (PL × FS × T) + β(Xi − X̄) + e where Y is the dependent variable; α is the overall mean; PL is the effects of production level (high and medium), FS is the effects of supplement fat sources (PA and Ca-FA), (PL × FS) is the effect of the interaction between production level and supplement fat sources; T is the effect of time, (PL × T) is the effect of the interaction between production level and time; (FS × T) is the interaction between supplement fat sources and time; (PL × FS × T) is the tripartite effect of production level, supplement fat sources and time; β(Xi − X̄) is the covariate variable and e is the overall error term. The time effect and time × production level, time × fat source, and time × fat source × production level interactions were not significant for any variable, and they were pooled with the error term in the final model. In addition, the cow effect was used as a random effect in the model. Reproductive data were analyzed using GLIMMIX procedure of SAS fitting a binary distribution response.

Milk production and composition, and the blood biochemical parameters on the first day of trial were included as covariate in the model when analyzing performance and blood biochemical parameters data. Normality of distribution and homogeneity of variance for residuals were tested using PROC UNIVARIATE [20]. The lowest Bayesian information criteria was used for choosing the best-fit covariance structure for each repeated measures. The best-fit covariance structure was first-order autoregressive covariance structure [AR (1)]. All differences were tested using the Tukey-Kramer procedure, and significance was declared at p ≤ 0.05 while a trend was noted if 0.05 < p ≤ 0.10.

Results

Diets composition

The only difference between two diets was the type of fat supplements. In both rations, fat supplement was used at 2.8% DM and because the PA has more fat, fat content of the ration reached 6.6% whereas fat content of the ration with Ca-FA reached 6.1%. This difference in fat content gave rise to a difference in the energy level of two diets. The NEL content of ration with PA and with Ca-FA was 1.77 and 1.74 Mcal/kg of DM, respectively.

Environmental condition

Diurnal and temporal pattern of RH, temperature and temperature-humidity index (THI) are shown in Fig. 1A and 1B, respectively. On average, cows experience the THI of higher than 68, between 70 and 72, and higher that 72 in 17, 6, and 10 hours per day, respectively. The average THI for entire trial period was 71.

Fig. 1.

Diurnal pattern of relative humidity (RH), temperature and temperature-humidity index (THI) of the animal facility A and temporal pattern of THI during the experimental period B.

Dry matter intake and digestibility

There was no difference in DMI between treatments with different fat supplements, 23.5 and 24.5 kg/day for PA and Ca-FA, respectively (SEM = 0.45, p = 0.56). The production level had no dateable effect on total tract digestibility and there were no significant interactions (Table 2). Digestibility of DM (p = 0.04), organic matter (p = 0.05), and NDF (p = 0.04) in cows fed Ca-FA was greater than cows fed PA.

Table 2.

Least squares means of nutrient digestibility for high (n = 32) and medium (n = 32) producing dairy cows receiving either calcium salts of fatty acids (Ca-FA) or high-palmitic acid (PA) during a heat stress period

Item	High production		Medium production		SEM	p-value
	PA	Ca-FA	PA	Ca-FA		PL	FS	PL × FS
DM	69.83	72.77	68.61	72.07	0.44	0.56	0.04	0.84
OM	72.32	73.67	71.72	73.33	1.31	0.47	0.05	0.85
CP	66.60	70.14	67.50	68.07	1.44	0.77	0.37	0.50
NDF	54.87	60.63	53.28	60.48	1.88	0.75	0.04	0.80
ADF	48.21	50.64	44.73	50.79	1.70	0.48	0.12	0.46
Fat	75.15	77.58	72.15	75.41	2.19	0.45	0.39	0.92

PL, production level; FS, fat source; PL × FS, interaction between production level and fat source; DM, dry matter; OM, organic matter; CP, crude protein; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; ADF, acid detergent fiber.

Milk yield and composition

As expected, high-yielding cows had a greater average milk yield (47.4 vs 44.3 kg/d, p = 0.05), fat corrected milk (FCM) yield (41.5 vs 32.6 kg/d, p < 0.01), and milk components (Table 3) compared with those for medium-yielding cows. The milk fat content was lower in medium-yielding cows than high-yielding cows (2.6% vs 2.9%, p = 0.03). The type of fat supplement showed no detectable effect on milk production and milk fat. The milk protein content was greater in cows on Ca-FA than cows on PA (3.0% vs 2.9%, p < 0.01). There was no interaction detected between the production level and type of fat supplement on lactation performance. Similarly, production level and type of fat had no effect on the average BCS and back fat thickness.

Table 3.

Least squares means of milk yield and composition for high (n = 32) and medium (n = 32) producing dairy cows receiving either calcium salts of fatty acids (Ca-FA) or high-palmitic acid (PA) during a heat stress period

Item	High production		Medium production		SEM	p-value
	PA	Ca-FA	PA	Ca-FA		PL	FS	PL × FS
Milk (kg/d)	47.48	47.36	44.87	43.78	0.95	0.05	0.69	0.72
3.5% FCM[1)] (kg/d)	41.66	40.17	35.71	34.65	1.16	<0.01	0.44	0.89
Fat (%)	2.90	2.89	2.75	2.45	0.08	0.03	0.17	0.21
Fat (kg/d)	1.46	1.38	1.21	1.11	0.05	<0.01	0.28	0.89
Protein (%)	2.85	3.01	2.90	3.06	0.03	0.32	0.01	0.87
Protein (kg/d)	1.40	1.44	1.26	1.35	0.02	0.02	0.11	0.57
MUN (mg/dL)	12.20	10.08	13.63	12.07	1.25	0.43	0.95	0.49
BCS	2.60	2.54	2.59	2.66	0.04	0.41	0.93	0.29
Back fat thickness (mm)	24.84	25.53	25.22	24.33	0.94	0.76	0.94	0.57

3.5% FCM = (0.432 × milk yield) + (16.23 × fat yield).

PL, production level; FS, fat source; PL × FS, interaction between production level and fat source; FCM, fat corrected milk; MUN, milk urea nitrogen; BCS, body condition score.

Blood biochemical parameters and whole blood cell count

High-yielding cows had a higher level of plasma cholesterol (p = 0.02) than medium-yielding cows (Table 4). Cows on PA tended to have a greater BUN (p = 0.6), and there was also a weak tendency (p = 0.11) to increase liver enzymes of AST and ALT compared with cows fed Ca-FA. The number of white blood cells, monocytes and lymphocytes numerically were higher in cows fed PA than those fed Ca-FA (Table 5).

Table 4.

Least squares means of blood biochemical parameters for high (n = 32) and medium (n = 32) producing dairy cows receiving either calcium salts of fatty acids (Ca-FA) or high-palmitic acid (PA) during a heat stress period

Item	High production		Medium production		SEM	p-value
	PA	Ca-FA	PA	Ca-FA		PL	FS	PL × FS
Metabolites (mg/dL)
Glucose	57.20	59.70	57.17	56.21	1.99	0.53	0.82	0.52
Triglyceride	16.16	11.67	12.40	11.64	1.09	0.08	0.05	0.08
Cholesterol	288.06	281.85	188.78	252.22	17.50	0.02	0.35	0.16
LDL	68.65	63.35	40.86	56.83	7.71	0.12	0.67	0.30
VLDL	2.84[a]	2.43[b]	2.39[b]	2.50[ab]	0.08	0.10	0.28	0.03
BUN	16.59	14.06	17.64	15.58	0.64	0.18	0.06	0.79
Enzymes (U/L)
Aspartate transferase	123.31	101.49	128.76	81.86	11.96	0.67	0.11	0.44
Alanine transferase	25.57	24.51	26.82	21.61	1.06	0.57	0.11	0.17
Plasma proteins (g/dL)
Total protein	8.73	8.76	8.42	8.79	0.14	0.48	0.42	0.38
Albumin	4.06	4.25	4.23	4.33	0.07	0.22	0.24	0.63
Globulin	4.66	4.50	4.19	4.45	0.18	0.33	0.87	0.41

PL, production level; FS, fat source; PL × FS, interaction between production level and fat source; LDL, low density lipoprotein; VLDL, very low density lipoprotein; BUN, blood urea nitrogen.

Different superscripts within a row indicate significant differences at p < 0.05.

Table 5.

Least squares means of complete blood count for high (n = 32) and medium (n = 32) producing dairy cows receiving either calcium salts of fatty acids (Ca-FA) or high-palmitic acid (PA) during a heat stress period

Item	High production		Medium production		SEM	p-value
	PA	Ca-FA	PA	Ca-FA		PL	FS	PL × FS
Complete blood count (109/L)
Platelets	265.53	278.89	229.07	258.37	14.88	0.17	0.35	0.70
Red blood cells	5.93	6.20	6.06	6.11	0.10	0.88	0.31	0.45
White blood cells (WBC)	11.97	10.46	12.04	8.04	2.77	0.76	0.52	0.76
WBC differential (109/L)
Lymphocyte	5.90	3.84	5.80	3.59	1.66	0.94	0.40	0.97
Monocyte	0.40	0.29	0.26	0.08	0.17	0.48	0.59	0.90
Eosinophil	0.34	0.30	0.37	0.13	0.15	0.74	0.54	0.66
Basophil	0.05	0.04	0.06	0.01	0.03	0.82	0.62	0.67
Neutrophil/granulocyte	5.26	5.97	5.39	4.21	0.93	0.54	0.86	0.49
WBC differential (%)
Lymphocyte	43.35	37.22	42.66	45.73	3.14	0.38	0.75	0.32
Monocyte	2.31	2.37	1.71	1.28	0.48	0.25	0.75	0.78
Eosinophil	2.20	2.29	2.38	1.79	0.40	0.78	0.68	0.56
Basophil	0.24	0.23	0.28	0.29	0.13	0.79	0.99	0.93
Neutrophil/granulocyte	51.80	57.97	52.23	50.98	3.90	0.55	0.68	0.52

PL, production level; FS, fat source; PL × FS, interaction between production level and fat source.

Rumen parameters and reproductive performance

The effect of production level and type of fat supplements and their interaction on rumen parameters was not significant (Table 6). Interaction between production level and type of fat was significant on the day of the first insemination (Fig. 2). The effect of production level and type of fat supplements on other reproductive measures were not significant (Table 7).

Table 6.

Least squares means of rumen parameters for high (n = 32) and medium (n = 32) producing dairy cows receiving either calcium salts of fatty acids (Ca-FA) or high-palmitic acid (PA) during a heat stress period

Item	High production		Medium production		SEM	p-value
	PA	Ca-FA	PA	Ca-FA		PL	FS	PL × FS
pH	6.25	6.45	6.31	6.14	0.20	0.67	0.97	0.54
NH3 (mg/dL)	8.05	9.17	10.26	11.70	1.35	0.23	0.55	0.93
Total VFA (mM)	89.78	83.53	89.60	93.79	9.92	0.71	0.94	0.71
Acetate (mol/100 mol)	50.68	47.56	49.81	53.21	4.69	0.71	0.98	0.62
Propionate (mol/100 mol)	25.10	24.73	26.80	26.78	4.39	0.76	0.97	0.97
Butyrate (mol/100 mol)	11.04	8.65	9.61	10.54	0.91	0.85	0.61	0.23
Valerate (mol/100 mol)	1.38	1.14	1.38	1.50	0.22	0.58	0.86	0.58
Iso-butyrate (mol/100 mol)	1.56	1.43	1.98	1.75	0.20	0.22	0.57	0.84
Acetate:Propionate	2.16	2.03	1.94	2.08	0.21	0.78	0.99	0.66

PL, production level; FS, fat source; PL × FS, interaction between production level and fat source.

Fig. 2.

Day to first service (pooled SEM = 3.8) for high and medium production cows fed calcium salts of fatty acids (Ca-FA) or highpalmitic acid (PA) diets during a heat stress period

There was a production level × fat source interaction (p = 0.03) for day to first service.

Table 7.

Least squares means of reproductive performance for high (n = 32) and medium (n = 32) producing dairy cows receiving either calcium salts of fatty acids (Ca-FA) or high-palmitic acid (PA) during a heat stress period

Item	High production		Medium production		SEM	p-value
	PA	Ca-FA	PA	Ca-FA		PL	FS	PL × FS
Daughter pregnancy rate (DPR)	0.36	0.43	0.37	0.34	0.11	0.82	0.92	0.79
Services per conception	3.17	2.55	2.62	2.88	0.54	0.88	0.76	0.43
Open days	147.55	147.41	144.66	143.61	4.66	0.50	0.89	0.92
Conception rate at first AI (%)	35.29	30.76	23.66	30.00	0.73	0.63	0.46	0.87
Conception rate at total of 3 AI (%)	82.35	92.30	72.72	83.33	0.77	0.14	0.69	0.28
Proportion pregnant (%)	86.30	93.33	86.36	92.59	0.45	0.95	0.31	0.98

PL, production level; FS, fat source; PL × FS, interaction between production level and fat source; AI, artificial inseminations.

Discussion

Meteorology data in this experiment showed that cows experienced a mild to moderate heat stress during the trial period [11].

In previous studies, the use of fat supplements had a mixed effect on the DMI. Some research, similar to our results, reported no difference in the intake of saturated fat and Ca-FA in low (18−25 kg/d) [21,22] or high (42 kg/d) [23,24] yielding cows. In contrast to our results however, Harvatine and Allen [8] and Rico et al. [4] noted that Ca-FA decreased the DMI compared with PA. It has been generally stated that fat supplements reduces the DMI and the greater the content of unsaturated fat the higher decrease in DMI [1]. Patra [25] reported that addition of fats in diets showed a quadratic response on DMI, although the relationship was very low. In that study, the quadratic broken line analysis indicated that DMI increased a little from 14.3 kg/d to 14.9 kg/d at fat concentrations of 4.2% of diet DM, and thereafter DMI decreased. In high producing cows, such as our research, the level of fat generally is higher than 4.2% and it caused the reduction in DMI, as Rabiee et al. [1] reported.

In line with our finding (Table 2), Piantoni et al. [2] also noted that the level of milk production did not affect digestibility of nutrients. In previous studies, contrary to our results, it was reported that saturated fat supplement did not affect the digestibility of DM and NDF at the levels of 3.0% to 3.5% of DM in both low (18−25 kg/d) [21,22,26] and high (42 kg/d) [24,27] yielding cows compared with Ca-FA. In line with our findings, Freitas et al. [10] reported that digestibility of FA and DM was higher for cows fed Ca-FA compared with that for cows fed supplement fat-free ration. Harvateine and Allen [8] noted that unsaturated fat reduced the rumination time compared with that for saturated fat; this reduction was related to decreased ruminal movements and increased feed retention time in the digestive tract, which also increases the digestibility of nutrients, especially NDF [2]. In general, whereas fat supplements increase the dietary energy but their effects depend on the digestibility of added FA and how they affect digestibility of other nutrients [28]. In the present study, although cows fed PA received more fat than cows fed Ca-FA, because of increased digestibility of nutrients in Ca-FA treatments, amount of energy received was not different from that for PA treatment and therefore milk production was not affected.

In the present study, high-yielding cows had a greater level of plasma cholesterol (Table 4), which suggests that high-yielding cows may have derived more triglyceride from the liver for the milk fat production, leading to increased milk fat content for these cows (Table 3). Qu et al. [29] also indicated that during the heat stress, high yielding cows derived more triglycerides from the liver than low-yielding cows, helping to maintain milk production or milk fat during the heat stress. Similar to our results, it was reported that the milk production level and PA had no interactive effect on milk production and composition [2]. In addition, Rico et al. [7] compared the effect of saturated and Ca-FA in cows with two levels of production (42 and 29 kg) and found that there was no difference in milk production level. Milk protein and production was also unaffected by the production level and type of fat supplements [7], however, Ca-FA feeding reduced milk fat in high-yielding cows but not in low-yielding cows compared with saturated fat [7]. Harvatine and Allen [9] also noted that the production level and type of fat supplements did not interactively affect milk production and type of fat did not make any difference in milk production. In a field study, milk production level increased for cows fed saturated fat supplement compared with cows fed fat-free diet with low-yielding cows experiencing larger increase [6]. In another study, saturated and Ca-FA showed no effect on milk production and composition [22]. In heat stress, saturated fat and Ca-FA had no effect on the milk production and protein but milk fat decreased with Ca-FA [30].

In general, Rabiei et al. [1] noted that the use of fat supplements in the diet reduced the milk protein content and the greater amount of unsaturated fat, the lower milk protein content. It was shown that increase in milk protein in high-yielding cows was larger than low-yielding cows in response to saturated versus unsaturated fat [8].

Juchem et al. [23] and Weiss et al. [24] reported that Ca-FA reduced milk protein content compared with saturated fat, which is likely related to the reduced DMI, thus reducing the intake of metabolizable protein. Different reasons were provided for the milk protein reduction resulting from use of fat supplements including the diluting effect, such that fat supplements increases the milk production, but milk protein production is not increased too and milk is diluted [8]. Grummer [21] also noted that saturated fat had no effect on the reduction of milk protein content compared with the fat-free diet, but unsaturated fat reduced the milk protein by 13%.

In the current study, the effect of fat supplements on milk protein is not consistent with other reports and milk protein content in cows fed Ca-FA was higher than those fed PA (Table 3). Research indicated that saturated fat increases insulin and insulin resistance in cells [8,31] and consequently cells employ protein and amino acids as sources of energy, which in turn results in the reduction of amino acids transported to the mammary tissue and possibly lower protein production in the mammary tissue [8]. Another possible reason for the effect of unsaturated fat in lowering milk protein is the negative effect of unsaturated fat on rumen microbes and reduced production of microbial protein [8]. In the present study however, because the rumen profile was not affected (Table 6) and NDF digestibility was also higher in Ca-FA and milk fat was not also decreased, it might be concluded that Ca-FA had no adverse effect on fermentation in the rumen. On the other hand, Ca-FA in the present study increased digestibility of DM and NDF, which probably increases the production of microbial protein and ultimately milk protein.

In contrast to our results, Karcagi et al. [32] reported that when comparing control (no fat) and Ca-FA feeding, cows fed PA had lowest triglycerides concentration during the transition period. We did not find any other report for comparison of PA and Ca-FA in blood biochemical parameters. Qu et al. [29] noted that production level had not effect on the cholesterol levels, but VLDL was higher in high-yielding cows than low yielding ones under heat stress.

Plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins may be associated with the energy and fat intake. Given that high-yielding cows generally have greater DMI, their cholesterol levels have also increased (Table 4). Qu et al. [29] noted that high-yielding cows transferred greater amount of triglyceride from liver to the bloodstream than low-yielding cows, which can be then used to produce milk fat or be employed in other tissues. And as a result, the effect of the negative energy balance is decreased and cows can maintain a high level of production. The reason for the increase in BUN in cows consuming PA is not clear, but might be related to (numerical) increase in protein digestibility in cows fed Ca-FA, which in turn may boost the protein metabolism and reduce the BUN levels.

The number of white blood cells, monocytes and lymphocytes numerically were higher in cows fed PA than those fed Ca-FA (Table 5). The reason why feeding PA could reduce the number of platelets is not known. Increase in the white blood cell population is one of the most important biomarkers for physiological stresses such as heat stress and susceptibility to diseases [5,33]. New research is needed to learn how the number of blood cells and their activity can be affected by the source of fat used in the diet.

The effect of production level and type of fat supplements and their interaction on rumen parameters was not significant (Table 6). Interaction between production level and type of fat was significant on the day of the first insemination and medium production cows fed PA had longest days to first service (Fig. 2). A study reported that Ca-FA improved the pregnancy rate in the early stages of gestation period in beef cattle [34,35]. In addition, the beneficial effects of Ca-FA in reproduction were independent of its contribution to dietary energy [34]. The beneficial effects of Ca-FA include increased progesterone turnover, maintenance and preservation of pregnancy [35].

Generally, cows in current experiment had low reproduction efficiency and across all treatments, the services per conception and conception rate at first AI averaged 2.8% and 30%, respectively (Table 7). In agreement with our results, it was noted that summer heat stress is a major cause of low fertility in dairy cattle. Heat stress during the summer disrupts several reproductive processes, resulting in a pronounced depression of conception rate in dairy cows worldwide [36].

Conclusion

The results of this research indicated that although cows consuming Ca-FA received less energy, they compensated such an energy shortage likely through improved digestibility. Furthermore, high-yielding cows under heat stress could more efficiently use dietary fat supplements compared with medium-yielding cows so that milk fat content in high-yielding cow was greater than medium-yielding cows. Moreover, under the heat stress, PA could decrease milk protein possibly through increasing the plasma insulin and reducing the body fat release. The number of white blood cells and liver enzymes in cows fed PA was higher, indicating that these cows may have been under more stress compared with cows fed Ca-FA. It may be assumed that PA had a greater effect on the milk and milk fat production while Ca-FA had a greater effect on health. In addition, the use of PA or Ca-FA at a level of 3% in the diet made no major difference in terms of performance. Overall, the production level showed no detectable interaction with PA or Ca-FA under heat stress, and high or medium producing cows responded to both PA and Ca-FA in a non-significantly different manner.