Rumen Protected Choline-A Vitamin: Saviour for Pregnant Cows

Rumen Protected Choline-A Vitamin: Saviour for Pregnant Cows

 Pregnancy in dairy cows is a crucial period that significantly impacts the health of the animal and the quality and quantity of milk production. Providing essential nutrients during this time is essential for the well-being of the cow and the success of the dairy operation. Rumen-protected choline, often referred to as a “super vitamin,” has emerged as a vital component of the dairy cow’s diet during pregnancy. In this essay, we will explore the importance of rumen-protected choline in the nutrition of pregnant cows, its impact on their health and milk production, and the role it plays in ensuring the sustainability of dairy operations.

An ancient Chinese curse states, in effect, “May you always live in interesting times.” In this context, the transition period between late pregnancy and early lactation (also called the periparturient period) surely is the most interesting time of the lactation cycle. The transition period, roughly stretching from 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after parturition, is a difficult period for high-yielding dairy cows, and is characterized by a high incidence of metabolic, infectious, and reproductive disorders. During early lactation, the energy requirement for milk production and maintenance of a dairy cow exceed the available energy from feed intake. The net shortage in energy resulting from the imbalance between energy input and energy output is called Negative Energy balance (NEB). Due to a severe negative energy balance (NEB) the liver experiences pronounced metabolic stress due to a marked influx of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), which are mobilized from adipose tissue. A large part of the whole-body NEFA flux is taken up into the liver and exceeds its oxidation capacity and, thus, promotes the development of fatty liver and ketosis. So supplementation of antioxidant with anti-inflammatory action, with basal feed formulation might reduce the stress of liver in transition cows. Choline, the betahydroxyethyltrimethylammonium ion, is a strong base containing trimethylated quaternary nitrogen. Choline occurs widely in biological materials as the compound itself, as acetylcholine and as various phospholipids. Choline is often considered as a B-complex vitamin; however, like all other classical vitamins, it cannot be synthesized endogenously. Unlike other water soluble vitamins, deficiency of choline in healthy animals is rare because of its interrelation with methionine, folic acid and vitamin. But, physiological conditions like pregnancy and lactation demands more choline. It is also found that, requirement of choline in the diet of animals is much more than the vitamins (g vs. mg). Another important aspect about choline is that, there is rapid degradation of dietary choline in the rumen. So, it must be provided in the protected form.

Understanding Rumen-Protected Choline

1. Choline as an Essential Nutrient: Choline is a water-soluble essential nutrient, similar to vitamins, and is vital for various biological functions, including liver function, cell membrane integrity, and fat metabolism.
2. The Rumen Challenge: The rumen, the first stomach compartment in cows, contains microbes that degrade and metabolize choline. This degradation can limit the availability of choline to the cow’s body.
3. Rumen-Protected Form: To overcome the rumen degradation, rumen-protected choline is formulated to ensure that it reaches the cow’s lower digestive tract intact, allowing for optimal absorption and utilization.
4. The Importance of Rumen-Protected Choline for Pregnant Cows
5. Liver Function: Choline plays a crucial role in liver function, particularly in fat metabolism. During pregnancy, cows may experience a condition known as fatty liver syndrome, which can lead to reduced fertility and milk production. Rumen-protected choline helps prevent and manage this condition.
6. Improved Reproductive Performance: Choline contributes to better reproductive health in pregnant cows by regulating the metabolism of fats and improving the energy balance. This, in turn, enhances reproductive efficiency and the success of artificial insemination.
7. Optimal Milk Production: Rumen-protected choline not only supports the cow’s health during pregnancy but also has a lasting impact on milk production post-calving. Cows that receive adequate choline supplementation produce more milk and maintain their milk production for more extended periods.

Health Benefits of Rumen-Protected Choline

1. Preventing Metabolic Disorders: Choline supplementation helps prevent metabolic disorders, such as ketosis and fatty liver syndrome, which are common concerns during the transition period in pregnant cows.
2. Enhanced Immune Function: Choline supports the cow’s immune system, reducing the risk of infections and diseases, which can affect both the cow’s health and milk quality.
3. Reduced Stress: Improved metabolic health due to choline supplementation reduces stress on the cow’s body, resulting in a smoother transition from pregnancy to lactation.

Sustainability in Dairy Operations

1. Increased Productivity: The use of rumen-protected choline enhances the productivity of dairy cows by ensuring their health and reproductive success. Healthy cows are more likely to yield higher milk quantities and maintain their production over more extended periods.
2. Economic Viability: By investing in the health and well-being of pregnant cows through choline supplementation, dairy operations can significantly reduce veterinary and treatment costs associated with metabolic disorders.
3. Environmental Impact: A productive and healthy herd is more environmentally sustainable, as fewer resources are required to maintain milk production levels, reducing the overall carbon footprint of the dairy operation.

Challenges and Considerations

1. Dietary Formulation: Proper formulation of the diet to ensure adequate choline intake is essential. Dairy nutritionists play a crucial role in developing balanced diets for pregnant cows.
2. Monitoring and Adaptation: Regular monitoring of cow health and the effectiveness of choline supplementation is vital. Adjustments may be needed based on individual cow needs and herd health.
3. Economic Investment: While choline supplementation provides substantial returns in terms of cow health and productivity, there is an initial investment required for its inclusion in the diet.

RPC IMPROVESMILK YIELD AND COMPOSITION

Methionine and lysine are the two most limiting amino acids for milk production in dairy cattle (NRC, 2001). The demand for choline as a methyl donor is probably the main factor determining how rapidly choline deficiency induces a disease state. Therefore, supplementation of choline could spare a portion of methionine needed to meet daily choline needs, which would leave a larger supply of methionine for milk production. It is reported that RPC supplementation tended to increase milk yields in early lactation, while significantly improving milk production when supplemented in mid lactation.The effect of RPC supplementation on milk fat have also been variable.Piepenbrink and Overton (2003) and Pinottiet al. (2003), respectively, reported 8.2% and 20.0% improvement in fat yield in the RPC-supplemented group.

RPC IMPROVES DRY MATTER INTAKE (DMI)

Previously reported that, there is a decrease of about 30 percent in DMI during the transition period. After 3 weeks of calving, DMI increases at the rate of 1.5 to 2.5 kg per week and this increase is more rapid in multiparous cows than primiparous cows. The reason behind decrease in DMI during pre-partum period is growing foetal size occupying abdominal space and displacing rumen volume.Responses in DMI with the feeding of RPC have been variable.Many researches have reported (Chung et al., 2005) marked increase in DMI in RPC supplemented cows during transition phase.The mechanism by which choline might influence DMI is not understood, but it is plausible to speculate an indirect effect mediated by improved post parturient health.

RPC reduces the risk of reproductive disorders

It is reported that feeding RPC reduced the incidence of clinical ketosis, mastitis, and morbidity, and the number of cases of mastitis per cow. Also there is significant decrease in open days and services per conception and increase in numbers of pregnant cows when cattle were supplemented with 60 g RPC/ day (Ardalanet al. 2009).

 RPC reduces fatty liver condition in pregnant cows

Feeding rumen-protected choline contributes towards decrease of plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in transition dairy cows. The reduced plasma concentrations of NEFAs associated with the improved hepatic export of triacylglycerol resulted in less hepatic fat concentration and reduced risk of fatty liver and metabolic disorders (Zomet al., 2011). Choline acts as a lipotropic factor and helps in improving fat metabolism for better energy production.

 RPC improvesimmune status of pregnant cows

During transition period when there is reduction in energy balance, plasma concentrations of antioxidants such as β–carotene, vitamins A (retinol) and E (αtocopherol) also decrease. As these compounds have a profound role in immune function, low concentrations of these vitamins induces disease condition and reduced fertility in dairy cows. Very few studies have been reported till yet, regarding the effect of RPC on immune function of transition dairy cows. Sheikh et al. (2014) supplemented (RPC 60, g/d) to transition KF cows for 70 days and found a significant increase in total immunoglobulin status in cows.

CONCLUSION

Rumen-protected choline is a vital and often overlooked component of the nutrition of pregnant cows in the dairy industry. Its ability to support liver function, reproductive health, and overall cow well-being is instrumental in ensuring the success and sustainability of dairy operations. By investing in the health of pregnant cows through choline supplementation, dairy producers can enhance milk production, reduce health-related expenses, and contribute to more environmentally sustainable practices. Rumen-protected choline serves as a savior for pregnant cows, safeguarding their health and the future of dairy operations.

RPC can besupplemented @50-60g/day for 30 days before calving up to 60 days after parturition. Supplementation of RPC will result in enhanced milk production and have a positive and desirable effect on milk quality with increased milk fat content.The improvement in immune status along with alleviation of oxidative stress by RPC might help the transition animals to face the critical challenges during their transition period.

Compiled  & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the

Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

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 Reference-On Request.

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