Effects of dietary and abomasally infused choline on milk production responses of lactating dairy cows

J Nutr. 1989 Feb;119(2):248-54. doi: 10.1093/jn/119.2.248.

Abstract

Three experiments investigated the effects of exogenous choline on milk production responses of dairy cows. Ruminally fistulated Holstein cows were fed total mixed diets containing 30% corn silage and 70% corn/soybean meal-based concentrate in experiment 1, or 40% corn silage and 60% concentrate in experiments 2 and 3. In experiment 1, the effects of unsupplemented (control), dietary supplemented choline (50 g/d) and abomasally infused choline (50 g/d) were examined using three first-lactation cows in a 3 X 3 Latin square design. While dietary added choline had no effect, abomasally infused choline increased daily milk and 4% fat-corrected milk yield 3.2 and 3.8 kg/d respectively. In experiment 2, effect of daily abomasal infusion of 0, 30, 60 and 90 g choline were studied using four mature cows in a 4 X 4 Latin square design. Fat-corrected milk and milk fat percent were 2.6 kg/d and 0.59 percentage units higher for cows infused with 30 g/d choline than for unsupplemented controls, with 60 and 90 g/d choline infusions showing smaller effects. In experiment 3, daily abomasal infusion of 0 or 40 g choline were studied using four mature cows in a switchback design. Choline infusion (40 g/d) increased daily milk 1.6 kg/d over control while having no effect on milk composition or feed intake. Results of these experiments suggest a possible requirement for supplementing choline in lactating dairy cows.

MeSH terms

  • Abomasum
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Choline / administration & dosage
  • Choline / pharmacology*
  • Diet*
  • Dietary Fats / analysis
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Female
  • Intubation, Gastrointestinal / veterinary
  • Lactation / drug effects*
  • Milk / analysis
  • Milk Proteins / analysis
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Milk Proteins
  • Choline