Effect of prepartum dietary starch content on gut function, metabolism, and production of dairy cows in early lactation

Previous studies in dairy cow nutritional management during the calving transition mainly focused on how to improve milk production after calving, yet gut function and health during this critical period is largely unknown. Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), a 33-amino acid peptide secreted by enteroendocrine L-cells of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), has been reported to increase small intestinal mucosal growth and blood flow and reduce gut permeability and mucosal injury. Although most studies investigated the biological effects of GLP-2 used non-ruminants as animal model, recent research in calves demonstrated that GLP-2 has the similar physiological effects as it does in non-ruminant. However, the effect of GLP-2 on gut function of dairy cows and how this related to production remains unknown. Therefore, this study will evaluate the effects of prepartum diets on gut peptide, metabolism, and production of dairy cows in early lactation. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Masahito Oba

Student:

Partner:

Hiroshima University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture and Food

University:

University of Alberta

Program: