Introduction: The increasing summer aridity trend results in pasture with a lower protein and a high fiber content with, in addition, an increasing lignin percentage. This scenario is forecasting a farm productive loss generating the pasture abandonment risk and a biodiversity decrease. We attempted to improve the farm income and preserve the pasture biodiversity evaluating the effects of food supplementation on milk production in sheep. We also investigated the apelin/receptor system in mammary gland to shed light on the role of apelin in sheep. Materials and Methods: A flock of 45 adult female sheep were conducted on pasture in June, they were free to grazing until the moment of pasture maximum flowering (MxF); while until the maximum pasture dryness the animals were divided in two groups: the control group (Cnt) fed only on the pasture, while the experimental group (Exp) was also supplemented with 600 g/day/animal of corn and barley (1:1). We assessed immunohistologically and by realtime-PCR the expression of apelin (APLN) and its receptor (APNLR) in the mammary gland of sheep at the beginning and at the end of the period of differentiated diets and monitored milk production and composition of lactating animals during the trial. Results: Different immunopositivity to APLN and APLNR and significant differences in APLNR expression evidenced by realtime-PCR were observed in mammary gland between pasture maximum flowering and dryness (Cnt-Exp) samples. No difference was observed between Cnt and Exp samples. Milk production and composition showed significant differences among MxF, Cnt and Exp samples. Conclusion: APLN and APLNR expression in sheep mammary gland were not influenced by alimentary supplementation, which positively affected milk production and composition in Exp group respect to the Cnt one. Findings gave useful indication on APLN/APNLR action on sheep mammary gland; indication for flock management allowing to farm income improvement also emerged.
Effects of alimentary supplementation on mammary gland activity in sheep grazing on semi-natural pasture
Francesca, Mercati;Margherita, Maranesi;Cecilia, Dall'Aglio;Linda, Petrucci;
2018
Abstract
Introduction: The increasing summer aridity trend results in pasture with a lower protein and a high fiber content with, in addition, an increasing lignin percentage. This scenario is forecasting a farm productive loss generating the pasture abandonment risk and a biodiversity decrease. We attempted to improve the farm income and preserve the pasture biodiversity evaluating the effects of food supplementation on milk production in sheep. We also investigated the apelin/receptor system in mammary gland to shed light on the role of apelin in sheep. Materials and Methods: A flock of 45 adult female sheep were conducted on pasture in June, they were free to grazing until the moment of pasture maximum flowering (MxF); while until the maximum pasture dryness the animals were divided in two groups: the control group (Cnt) fed only on the pasture, while the experimental group (Exp) was also supplemented with 600 g/day/animal of corn and barley (1:1). We assessed immunohistologically and by realtime-PCR the expression of apelin (APLN) and its receptor (APNLR) in the mammary gland of sheep at the beginning and at the end of the period of differentiated diets and monitored milk production and composition of lactating animals during the trial. Results: Different immunopositivity to APLN and APLNR and significant differences in APLNR expression evidenced by realtime-PCR were observed in mammary gland between pasture maximum flowering and dryness (Cnt-Exp) samples. No difference was observed between Cnt and Exp samples. Milk production and composition showed significant differences among MxF, Cnt and Exp samples. Conclusion: APLN and APLNR expression in sheep mammary gland were not influenced by alimentary supplementation, which positively affected milk production and composition in Exp group respect to the Cnt one. Findings gave useful indication on APLN/APNLR action on sheep mammary gland; indication for flock management allowing to farm income improvement also emerged.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
