Effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin and calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids on milk from Italian buffalo.

Fifty-one lactating Italian river buffalo were used in an 84-d study to evaluate the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) and Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids on productive performance. Treatments were 1) control diet, 2) the control diet plus 0.3 kg/d of added Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids, 3) the control diet plus 320 mg of recombinant bST injected every 21 d for four cycles, and 4) the control diet plus 0.3 kg/d of added Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids and 320 mg of recombinant bST administered as previously described. Administration of bST and Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids increased milk production. Milk fat percentage was not affected by treatments. The percentage of short-chain fatty acids in milk fat was reduced by the addition of Ca salts. Medium-chain, long-chain, and unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat were increased by bST treatment. Milk protein percentage was decreased by the addition of Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids. Milk casein content, as a percentage of total protein or as a percentage of true protein, was unaffected by bST. Body condition score was lowered by bST administration, but the addition of Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids reduced body condition loss in buffalo that were treated with somatotropin.