Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T04:02:11.600Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Reducing dietary protein in dairy cow diets: implications for nitrogen utilization, milk production, welfare and fertility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2013

K. D. Sinclair*
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
P. C. Garnsworthy
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
G. E. Mann
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
L. A. Sinclair
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production, Welfare and Veterinary Sciences, Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB, UK
*
Get access

Abstract

In light of increasing global protein prices and with the need to reduce environmental impact of contemporary systems of milk production, the current review seeks to assess the feasibility of reducing levels of dietary CP in dairy cow diets. At CP levels between 140 and 220 g/kg DM there is a strong positive relationship between CP concentration and dry matter intake (DMI). However, such effects are modest and reductions in DMI when dietary CP is below 180 g/kg DM can be at least partially offset by improving the digestibility and amino acid profile of the undegradable protein (UDP) component of the diet or by increasing rumen fermentable energy. Level and balance of intestinally absorbable amino acids, in particular methionine and lysine, may become limiting at lower CP concentrations. In general the amino acid composition of microbial protein is superior to that of UDP, so that dietary strategies that aim to promote microbial protein synthesis in the rumen may go some way to correcting for amino acid imbalances in low CP diets. For example, reducing the level of NDF, while increasing the proportion of starch, can lead to improvements in nitrogen (N) utilisation as great as that achieved by reducing dietary CP to below 150 g/kg. A systematic review and meta-analysis of responses to rumen protected forms of methionine and lysine was conducted for early/mid lactation cows fed diets containing ⩽150 g CP/kg DM. This analysis revealed a small but significant (P=0.002) increase in milk protein yield when cows were supplemented with these rumen protected amino acids. Variation in milk and milk protein yield responses between studies was not random but due to differences in diet composition between studies. Cows fed low CP diets can respond to supplemental methionine and lysine so long as DMI is not limiting, metabolisable protein (MP) is not grossly deficient and other amino acids such as histidine and leucine do not become rate limiting. Whereas excess dietary protein can impair reproduction and can contribute to lameness, there is no evidence to indicate that reducing dietary CP levels to around 140 to 150 g CP/kg DM will have any detrimental effect on either cow fertility or health. Contemporary models that estimate MP requirements of dairy cows may require refinement and further validation in order to predict responses with low CP diets.

Type
Full Paper
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aboozar, M, Amanlou, H, Aghazadeh, AM, Adl, KN, Moeini, M and Tanha, T 2012. Impacts of different jevels of RUP on performance and reproduction of Holstein fresh cows. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 11, 13381345.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Allison, RD and Garnsworthy, PC 2002. Increasing the digestible undegraded protein intake of lactating dairy cows by feeding fishmeal or a rumen protected vegetable protein blend. Animal Feed Science and Technology 96, 6981.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Archibeque, SL, Freetly, HC, Cole, NA and Ferrell, CL 2007. The influence of oscillating dietary protein concentrations on finishing cattle. II. Nutrient retention and ammonia emissions. Journal of Animal Science 85, 14961503.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Armentano, LE, Swain, SM and Ducharme, GA 1993. Lactation response to ruminally protected methionine and lysine at two amounts of ruminally available nitrogen. Journal of Dairy Science 76, 29632969.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bach, A, Calsamiglia, S, Huntington, GB and Stern, MD 2000. Nitrogen metabolism of early lactation cows fed diets with two different levels of protein and different amino acid profiles. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 25852595.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barton, BA, Rosario, HA, Anderson, GW, Grindle, BP and Carroll, DJ 1996. Effects of dietary crude protein, breed, parity, and health status on the fertility of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 79, 22252236.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bazeley, K and Pinsent, PJN 1984. Preliminary observations on a series of outbreaks of acute laminitis in dairy cattle. Veterinary Record 115, 619622.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bertics, SJ and Grummer, RR 1999. Effects of fat and methionine hydroxy analog on prevention or alleviation of fatty liver induced by feed restriction. Journal of Dairy Science 82, 27312736.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bobe, G, Young, JW and Beitz, DC 2004. Invited review: pathology, etiology, prevention, and treatment of fatty liver in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 87, 31053124.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Botts, RL, Hemken, RW and Bull, LS 1979. Protein reserves in the lactating dairy cow. Journal of Dairy Science 62, 433440.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Broderick, GA 2003. Effects of varying dietary protein and energy levels on the production of lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 86, 13701381.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bruckental, I, Droiri, D, Kaim, M, Lehrer, H and Folman, Y 1989. Effects of source and level of protein on milk yield and reproductive performance of high-producing primiparous and multiparous dairy cows. Animal Production 48, 319329.Google Scholar
Butler, ST, Shalloo, L and Murphy, JJ 2010. Extended lactations in a seasonal-calving pastoral system of production to modulate the effects of reproductive failure. Journal of Dairy Science 93, 12831295.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Butler, WR 1998. Optimizing protein nutrition for reproduction and lactation. Effect of protein nutrition on ovarian and uterine physiology in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 25332539.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Butler, WR, Calaman, JJ and Beam, SW 1996. Plasma and milk urea nitrogen in relation to pregnancy rate in lactating dairy cattle. Journal of Animal Science 74, 858865.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cabrita, ARJ, Dewhurst, RJ, Melo, DSP, Moorby, JM and Fonseca, AJM 2011. Effects of dietary protein concentration and balance of absorbable amino acids on productive responses of dairy cows fed corn silage-based diets. Journal of Dairy Science 94, 46474656.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cadórniga, C and López Díaz, MC 1995. Possible modulation of adipose tissue responsivesness to catecholamines by available dietary protein in dairy cows during early lactation. Reproduction Nutrition Development 35, 241248.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Canale, CJ, Muller, LD, McCahon, HA, Whitsel, TJ, Varga, GA and Lormore, MJ 1990. Dietary fat and ruminally protected amino acids for high producing dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 73, 135141.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cant, JP, Depeters, EJ and Baldwin, RL 1991. Effect of dietary-fat and postruminal casein administration on milk-composition of lactating dairy-cows. Journal of Dairy Science 74, 211219.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carroll, DJ, Barton, BA, Anderson, GW and Smith, RD 1988. Influence of protein intake and feeding strategy on reproductive performance of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 71, 34703481.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chew, KH 1972. Subacute/chronic laminitis and sole ulceration in a dairy herd. Canadian Veterinary Journal 13, 9093.Google Scholar
Chow, JM, DePeters, EJ and Baldwin, RL 1990. Effect of rumen-protected methionine and lysine on casein in milk when diets high in fat or concentrate are fed. Journal of Dairy Science 73, 10511061.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Christensen, RA, Cameron, MR, Clark, JH, Drackley, JK, Lynch, JM and Barbano, DM 1994. Effects of amount of protein and ruminally protected amino acids in the diet of dairy cows fed supplemental fat. Journal of Dairy Science 77, 16181629.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Clark, AK and Rakes, AH 1982. Effect of methionine hydroxy analog supplementation on dairy cattle hoof growth and composition. Journal of Dairy Science 65, 14931502.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cole, NA 1999. Nitrogen retention by lambs fed oscillating dietary protein concentrations. Journal of Animal Science 77, 215222.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cole, NA and Todd, RW 2008. Opportunities to enhance performance and efficiency through nutrient synchrony in concentrate-fed ruminants. Journal of Animal Science 86, E318E333.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Colin-Schoellen, O, Laurent, F, Vignon, B, Robert, JC and Sloan, B 1995. Interactions of ruminally protected methionine and lysine with protein source or energy level in the diets of cows. Journal of Dairy Science 78, 28072818.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Colmenero, JJ and Broderick, GA 2006. Effect of dietary crude protein concentration on milk production and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 17041712.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cottrill, B, Biggadike, HJ, Collins, C and Laven, RA 2002. Relationship between milk urea concentration and the fertility of dairy cows Source. Veterinary Record 151, 413416.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Curtis, CR, Erb, HN, Sniffen, CJ, Smith, RD and Kronfield, DS 1985. Path analysis of dry period nutrition, postpartum metabolic and reproductive disorders, and mastitis in Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 68, 23472360.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Davidson, S, Hopkins, BA, Diaz, DE, Bolt, SM, Brownie, C, Fellner, V and Whitlow, LW 2003. Effects of amounts and degradability of dietary protein on lactation, nitrogen utilization, and excretion in early lactation Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 86, 16811689.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
De Wit, AA, Cesar, ML and Kruip, TA 2001. Effect of urea during in vitro maturation on nuclear maturation and embryo development of bovine cumulus-oocyte-complexes. Journal of Dairy Science 84, 18001804.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Donaldson, J, van Houtert, MFJ and Sykes, AR 2001. The effect of dietary fish-meal supplementation on parasite burdens of periparturient sheep. Animal Science 72, 149158.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Durand, D, Chilliard, Y and Bauchart, D 1992. Effects of lysine and methionine on in vivo hepatic secretion of VLDL in the high yielding dairy cow. Journal of Dairy Science 75 (Suppl. 1), 279 (Abstract).Google Scholar
Edwards, JS, Bartley, E and Dayton, AD 1980. Effects of dietary protein concentration on lactating cows. Journal of Dairy Science 63, 243248.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elrod, CC and Butler, WR 1993. Reduction of fertility and alteration of uterine pH in heifers fed excess ruminally degradable protein. Journal of Animal Science 71, 694701.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Espejo, LA and Endres, MI 2007. Herd-level risk factors for lameness in high-producing Holstein cows housed in freestall barns. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 306314.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Faverdin, P 1999. The effect of nutrients on feed intake in ruminants. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 58, 523531.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Friggens, NC, Andersen, JB, Larsen, T, Aaes, O and Dewhurst, RJ 2004. Priming the dairy cow for lactation: a review of dry cow feeding strategies. Animal Research 53, 453473.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Galbraith, H and Scaife, JR 2007. Lameness in dairy cows: influence of nutrition on claw composition and health. In Recent advances in animal nutrition (ed. PC Garnswothy and J Wiseman), pp. 91126. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham, UK.Google Scholar
Garcia-Bojalil, CM, Staples, CR, Risco, CA, Savio, JD and Thatcher, WW 1998. Protein degradability and calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids in the diets of lactating dairy cows: reproductive responses. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 13851395.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Garnsworthy, PC and Jones, GP 1987. The influence of body condition at calving and dietary protein supply on voluntary food intake and performance in dairy cows. Animal Production 44, 347353.Google Scholar
Garnsworthy, PC, Gong, JG, Armstrong, DG, Newbold, JR, Marsden, M, Richards, SE, Mann, GE, Sinclair, KD and Webb, R 2008. Nutrition, metabolism and fertility in dairy cows: 3. Amino acids and ovarian function. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 41904197.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goff, J 2003. Managing the transition cow – considerations for optimising energy and protein balance, and immune function. Cattle Practice 11, 5163.Google Scholar
Greenfield, RB, Cecava, MJ, Hohnson, TR and Donkin, SS 2000. Impact of dietary protein amount and rumen undegradability on intake, peripartum liver tryglyceride, plasma metabolites, and milk production in transition dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 703710.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Grummer, RR 1995. Impact of changes in organic nutrient metabolism on feeding the transition dairy cow. Journal of Animal Science 73, 28202833.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hepburn, NL, Knight, CH, Wilde, CJ, Hendry, KAK and Galbraith, H 2008. l-methionine uptake, incorporation and effects on proliferative activity and protein synthesis in bovine claw tissue explants in vitro. Journal of Agricultural Science 146, 103115.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Herrera-Saldana, R, Gomez-Alarcon, R, Torabi, M and Huber, JT 1990. Influence of synchronizing protein and starch degradation in the rumen on nutrient utilization and microbial protein synthesis. Journal of Dairy Science 73, 142148.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hongerholt, DD and Muller, LD 1998. Supplementation of rumen-undegradable protein to the diets of early lactation Holstein cows on grass pasture. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 22042214.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Howard, HJ, Aalseth, EP, Adams, GD and Bush, LJ 1987. Influence of dietary protein on reproductive performance of dairy cows. Journal of Animal Science 70, 15631571.Google ScholarPubMed
Hristov, AN, Price, WJ and Shafii, B 2004. A meta-analysis examining the relationship among dietary factors, dry matter intake, and milk and milk protein yield in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 87, 21842196.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Huhtanen, P and Hristov, AN 2009. A meta-analysis of the effects of dietary protein concentration and degradability on milk protein yield and milk N efficiency in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 92, 32223222.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huhtanen, P, Rinne, M and Nousiainen, J 2008. Evaluation of concentrate factors affecting silage intake of dairy cows: a development of the relative total diet intake index. Animal 2, 942953.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Huyler, MT, Kincaid, RL and Dostal, DF 1999. Metabolic and yield responses of multiparous Holstein cows to prepartum rumen-undegradable protein. Journal of Dairy Science 82, 527536.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ingvartsen, KL and Andersen, JB 2000. Integration of metabolism and intake regulation: a review focusing on periparturient animals. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 15731597.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ipharraguerre, IR and Clark, JH 2005. Impacts of the source and amount of crude protein on the intestinal supply of nitrogen fractions and performance of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 88 (Suppl. 1), E22E37.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jones, GP and Garnsworthy, PC 1988. The effects of body condition score at calving and dietary protein content on dry-matter intake and performance in lactating dairy cows given diets of low energy content. Animal Production 47, 321333.Google Scholar
Jonker, JS, Kohn, RA and High, J 2002. Dairy herd management practices that impact nitrogen utilization efficiency. Journal of Dairy Science 85, 12181226.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jordan, ER and Swanson, LV 1979. Effect of crude protein on reproductive efficiency, serum total protein, and albumin in the high-producing dairy cow. Journal of Dairy Science 62, 5863.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jorritsma, R, Jorritsma, H, Schukken, YH and Wentink, GH 2000. Relationships between fatty liver and fertility and some periparturient diseases in commercial Dutch dairy herds. Theriogenology 54, 10651074.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kehrli, ME and Shuster, DE 1994. Factors affecting milk somatic cells and their role in health of the bovine mammary gland. Journal of Dairy Science 77, 619627.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kokkonen, T, Syrjälä-Qvist, L, Tsehai Tesfa, A, Tuori, M and Yrjänen, S 2002. Effect of concentrate crude protein level on grass silage intake, milk yield and nutrient utilisation by dairy cows in early lactation. Archives of Animal Nutrition 56, 213227.Google ScholarPubMed
Kolver, ES, Roche, JR, Burke, CR, Kay, JK and Aspin, PW 2007. Extending lactation in pature-based dairy cows: I. Genotype and diet effect on milk and reproduction. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 55185530.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Laven, RA and Livesey, CT 2004. The effect of housing and methionine intake on hoof horn hemorrhages in primiparous lactating Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 87, 10151023.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Law, RA, Young, FJ, Patterson, DC, Kilpatrick, DJ, Wylie, AR and Mayne, CS 2009a. Effect of dietary protein content on animal production and blood metabolites of dairy cows during lactation. Journal of Dairy Science 92, 10011012.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Law, RA, Young, FJ, Patterson, DC, Kilpatrick, DJ, Wylie, ARG and Mayne, CS 2009b. Effect of dietary protein content on the fertility of dairy cows during early and mid lactation. Journal of Dairy Science 92, 27372746.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lean, IJ, Celi, P, Raadsma, H, McNamara, J and Rabiee, AR 2012. Effects of dietary crude protein on fertility: meta-analysis and meta-regression. Animal Feed Science and Technology 171, 3142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lee, C, Hristov, AN, Heyler, KS, Cassidy, TW, Long, M, Corl, BA and Karnati, SK 2011. Effects of dietary protein concentration and coconut oil supplementation on nitrogen utilization and production in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 94, 55445557.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, C, Hristov, AN, Heyler, KS, Cassidy, TW, Lapierre, H, Varga, GA and Parys, C 2012a. Effects of metabolizable protein supply and amino acid supplementation on nitrogen utilization, milk production, and ammonia emissions from manure in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 95, 52535268.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, C, Hristov, AN, Cassidy, TW, Heyler, KS, Lapierre, H, Varga, GA, de Veth, MJ, Patton, RA and Parys, C 2012b. Rumen-protected lysine, methionine, and histidine increase milk protein yield in dairy cows fed a metabolizable protein-deficient diet. Journal of Dairy Science 95, 60426056.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Livesey, CT and Laven, RA 2007. Effects of housing and intake of methionine on the growth and wear of hoof horn and the conformation of the hooves of first-lactation Holstein heifers. Veterinary Record 160, 470476.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mann, GE, Mann, SJ, Blache, D and Webb, R 2005. Metabolic variables and plasma leptin concentrations in dairy cows exhibiting reproductive cycle abnormalities identified through milk progesterone monitoring during the post partum period. Animal Reproduction Science 88, 191202.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Manson, FJ, Leaver, JD 1988. The influence of dietary protein intake and of hoof trimming on lameness in dairy cattle. Animal Production 47, 191199.Google Scholar
Metcalf, JA, Mansbridge, RJ, Blake, JS, Oldham, JD, Newbold, JR 2008. The efficiency of conversion of metabolisable protein into milk true protein over a range of metabolisable protein intakes. Animal 2, 11931202.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Momcilovic, D, Herbein, JH, Whittier, WD and Polan, CE 2000. Metabolic alterations associated with an attempt to induce laminitis in dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 518525.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nachtomi, E, Halem, A, Bruckental, I and Amir, S 1991. Energy-protein intake and its effect on blood metabolites of high-producing dairy cows. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 71, 401401.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
National Research Council (NRC) 2001. Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle, 7th Revised Edition. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, USA.Google Scholar
Newbold, JR 1994. Practical application of the metabolisable protein system. In Recent advances in animal nutrition (ed. PC Garnsworthy and DJA Cole), pp. 231264. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham.Google Scholar
Nilsson, SA 1963. Clinical, morphological and experimental studies of laminitis in cattle. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 4, 299304.Google Scholar
Noftsger, S and St-Pierre, NR 2003. Supplementation of methionine and selection of highly digestible rumen undegradable protein to improve nitrogen efficiency for milk production. Journal of Dairy Science 86, 958969.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ocon, OM and Hansen, PJ 2003. Disruption of bovine oocytes and preimplantation embryos by urea and acidic pH. Journal of Dairy Science 86, 11941200.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Offer, JE, Logue, DN and Roberts, DJ 1997. The effect of protein source on lameness and solear lesion formation in dairy cattle. Animal Science 65, 143149.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Oldham, JD 1984. Protein-energy interrelationships in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 67, 10901114.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Paquay, R, DeBaere, R and Bull, LS 1972. The capacity of the mature cow to lose and recover nitrogen and the significance of body reserves. British Journal of Nutrition 27, 2737.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Patton, RA 2010. Effect of rumen-protected methionine on feed intake, milk production, true milk protein concentration, and true milk protein yield, and the factors that influence these effects: a meta-analysis. Journal of Dairy Science 93, 21052118.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Piepenbrink, MS, Overton, TR and Clark, JH 1996. Response of cows fed a low crude protein diet to ruminally protected methionine and lysine. Journal of Dairy Science 79, 16381646.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Piepenbrink, MS, Marr, AL, Waldron, MR, Butler, WR, Overton, TR, Vázquez-Añón, M and Holt, MD 2004. Feeding 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid to peripartiurient dairy cows improves milk production but not hepatic metabolism. Journal of Dairy Science 87, 10711084.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Polan, CE, Cummins, KA, Sniffen, CJ, Muscato, TV, Vicini, JL, Crooker, BA, Clark, JH, Johnson, DG, Otterby, DE and Guillaume, B 1991. Responses of dairy cows to supplemental rumen-protected forms of methionine and lysine. Journal of Dairy Science 74, 29973013.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Preynat, A, Lapierre, H, Thivierge, MC, Palin, MF, Cardinault, N, Matte, JJ, Desrochers, A and Girard, CL 2010. Effects of supplementary folic acid and vitamin B12 on hepatic metabolism of dairy cows according to methionine supply. Journal of Dairy Science 93, 21302142.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Putnam, DE and Varga, GA 1998. Protein density and its influence on metabolite concentration and nitrogen retention by Holstein cows in late gestation. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 16081618.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Putnam, DE, Varga, GA and Dann, HM 1999. Metabolic and production responses to dietary protein and exogenous somatotrophin in late gestation dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 82, 982995.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reynolds, CK and Kristensen, NB 2008. Nitrogen recycling through the gut and the nitrogen economy of ruminants: an asynchronous symbiosis. Journal of Animal Science 86, E293E305.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rhoads, ML, Rhoads, RP, Gilbert, RO, Toole, R and Butler, WR 2006. Detrimental effects of high plasma urea nitrogen levels on viability of embryos from lactating dairy cows. Animal Reproduction Science 91, 110.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robert, JC 2005. Metabolizable methionine optimization of dairy cow rations. In Recent advances in animal nutrition 2004 (ed. PC Garnsworthy and J Wiseman), pp. 223254. University of Nottingham Feed Manufacturers Conference, Nottingham, UK.Google Scholar
Robinson, PH 2010. Impacts of manipulating ration metabolizable lysine and methionine levels on the performance of lactating dairy cows: a systematic review of the literature. Livestock Science 127, 115126.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robinson, PH, Swanepoel, N and Evans, E 2010. Effects of feeding a ruminally protected lysine product, with or without isoleucine, valine and histidine, to lactating dairy cows on their productive performance and plasma amino acid profiles. Animal Feed Science and Technology 161, 7584.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robinson, PH, Fredeen, AH, Chalupa, W, Julien, WE, Sato, H, Fujieda, T and Suzuki, H 1995. Ruminally protected lysine and methionine for lactating dairy cows fed a diet designed to meet requirements for microbial and postruminal protein. Journal of Dairy Science 78, 582594.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robinson, PH, Chalupa, W, Sniffen, CJ, Julien, WE, Sato, H, Watanabe, K, Fujieda, T and Suzuki, H 1998. Ruminally protected lysine or lysine and methionine for lactating dairy cows fed a ration designed to meet requirements for microbial and postruminal protein. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 13641373.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robinson, PH, Chalupa, W, Sniffen, CJ, Julien, WE, Sato, H, Fujieda, T, Ueda, T and Suzuki, H 2000. Influence of abomasal infusion of high levels of lysine or methionine, or both, on ruminal fermentation, eating behavior, and performance of lactating dairy cows. Journal of Animal Science 78, 10671077.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rode, LM, Fujeieda, T, Sato, H, Suzuki, H, Julien, WE and Sniffen, CJ 1994. Rumen-protected amino acid (RPAA) supplementation to dairy cows pre- and post-parturition. Journal of Dairy Science 77, 243 (Abstract).Google Scholar
Rogers, JA, Krishnamoorthy, U and Sniffen, CJ 1987. Plasma amino acids and milk protein production by cows fed rumen-protected methionine and lysine. Journal of Dairy Science 70, 789798.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rogers, JA, Peirce-Sandner, SB, Papas, AM, Polan, CE, Sniffen, CJ, Muscato, TV, Staples, CR and Clark, JH 1989. Production responses of dairy cows fed various amounts of rumen-protected methionine and lysine. Journal of Dairy Science 72, 18001817.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sawa, A, Bogucki, M and Krezel-Czopek, S 2011. Effect of some factors on relationships between milk urea levels and cow fertility. Archiv Fur Tierzucht - Archives of Animal Breeding 54, 468476.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schei, I, Volden, H and Baevre, L 2005. Effects of energy balance and metabolizable protein level on tissue mobilization and milk performance of dairy cows in early lactation. Livestock Production Science 95, 3547.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schor, A and Gagliostro, GA 2001. Undegradable protein supplmenetation to early-lactation dairy cows in grazing conditions. Journal of Dairy Science 84, 15971606.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shibano, K and Kawamura, S 2006. Serum free amino acid concentrations in hepatic lipidosis of dairy cows in the periparturient period. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 68, 393396.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sinclair, KD, Broadbent, PJ and Hutchinson, JSM 1994. The effect of pre-and post-partum energy and protein supply on the blood metabolites and reproductive performance of single- and twin-suckling beef cows. Animal Production 59, 391400.Google Scholar
Sinclair, KD, Sinclair, LA and Robinson, JJ 2000a. Nitrogen metabolism and fertility in cattle: I. Adaptive changes in intake and metabolism to diets differing in their rate of energy and nitrogen release in the rumen. Journal of Animal Science 78, 26592669.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sinclair, KD, Kuran, M, Gebbie, FE, Webb, R and McEvoy, TG 2000b. Nitrogen metabolism and fertility in cattle: II. Development of oocytes recovered from heifers offered diets differing in their rate of nitrogen release in the rumen. Journal of Animal Science 78, 26702680.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sinclair, LA, Blake, CW, Griffin, P and Jones, GH 2012. The partial replacement of soyabean meal and rapeseed meal with feed grade urea or a slow-release urea and its effect on the performance, metabolism and digestibility in dairy cows. Animal 6, 920927.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Soder, KJ and Holden, LA 1999. Lymphocyte proliferation response of lactating dairy cows fed varying concentrations of rumen-protected methionine. Journal of Dairy Science 82, 19351942.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tarlton, JF, Holah, DE, Evans, KM, Jones, S, Pearson, GR and AJF, Webster 2002. Biochemical and histopathological changes in the support structures of bovine hooves around the time of first calving. The Veterinary Journal 163, 196204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thomas, C 2004. Feed into milk: a new applied feeding system for dairy cows. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham.Google Scholar
Twigge, JR and van Gils, LGM 1984. Practical aspects of feeding protein to dairy cows. In Recent advances in animal nutrition (ed. W Haresign and DJA Cole), pp. 201217. Butterworths, London, UK.Google Scholar
Vandehaar, MJ, Yousif, G, Sharma, BK, Herdt, TH, Emery, RS, Allen, MS and Liesman, JS 1999. Effect of energy and protein density of prepartum diets on fat and protein metabolism of dairy cattle in the periparturient period. Journal of Dairy Science 82, 12821295.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vanhatalo, A, Huhtanen, P, Toivonen, V and Varvikko, T 1999. Response of dairy cows fed grass silage diets to abomasal infusions of histidine alone or in combinations with methionine and lysine. Journal of Dairy Science 82, 26742685.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vyas, D and Erdman, RA 2009. Meta-analysis of milk protein yield responses to lysine and methionine supplementation. Journal of Dairy Science 92, 50115018.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wall, E, Coffey, MP and Pollott, GE 2012. The effect of lactation length on greenhouse gas emissions from the national herd. Animal 6, 18571867.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wathes, DC, Bourne, N, Cheng, Z, Mann, GE, Taylor, VJ and Coffey, MP 2007. Multiple correlation analyses of metabolic and endocrine profiles with fertility in primiparous and multiparous cows. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 13101325.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Westwood, CT, Bramley, E and Lean, IJ 2003. Review of the relationship between nutrition and lameness in pasture-fed dairy cattle. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 51, 208218.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Westwood, CT, Lean, IJ, Garvin, JK and Wynn, PC 2000. Effects of genetic merit and varying dietary protein degradability on lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 29262940.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wu, Z and Satter, LD 2000. Milk production during the complete lactation of dairy cows fed diets containing different amounts of protein. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 10421051.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yan, T, Mayne, CS, Gordon, FG, Porter, MG, Agnew, RE, Patterson, DC, Ferris, CP and Kilpatrick, DJ 2010. Mitigation of enteric methane emissions through improving efficiency of energy utilization and productivity in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 93, 26302638.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Supplementary material: File

Sinclair et al. Supplementary Material

Table S1

Download Sinclair et al. Supplementary Material(File)
File 18.3 KB