Influence of Pre- and Postpartum Supplementation of Fibrolytic Enzymes and Yeast Culture, or Both, on Performance and Metabolic Status of Dairy Cows

The aim of the study was to determine the degree to which feeding total mixed rations (TMR) with fibrolytic enzymes and/or live yeast cultures to periparturient dairy cows will affect feed intake and conversion, milk yield and chemical composition, and metabolic and reproductive parameters of the cows. The experiment was conducted from 3 weeks before calving to 10 weeks of lactation on 36 Polish Red-and-White Holstein-Friesian (PHF Red) cows assigned to four analogous groups, 9 animals each. Cows from the control group (C) were fed an unsupplemented diet, those from group E received a diet supplemented (15 g/day) with enzyme preparation (Fibrozyme™) containing a blend of active xylanase and cellulase, cows from group D a diet with yeast preparation (Yea - Sacc¹⁰²⁶) supplemented (10 g/day) with Saccharomyces cerevisiae¹⁰²⁶ live yeast culture, and cows from group ED were fed a diet supplemented with a mixture (25 g/day) of both feed additives. The preparations were added to the concentrate included in the TMR diet. It was found that groups E and D showed a tendency towards higher dry matter and nutrient intake compared to group C. In groups E, D and ED there was also a tendency towards higher milk yield (by about 4-12% in the first 3 weeks of lactation) and slightly higher crude protein content (by an average of 0.16, 0.09 and 0.04 percentage units, respectively), without a clear effect on the other milk constituents. Significantly (P<0.05) lower milk urea content was also noted in group E compared to group C. Cows from groups E and D compared to group C, were characterized by better (P<0.05) efficiency of feed and nutrient conversion for kg milk production, especially during the first three weeks after calving. The experimental cows also showed a tendency towards improved blood metabolic profile, especially decreased levels of beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and reduced activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The investigated preparations had no significant effect on the body weight, body condition and reproductive parameters of the cows.