Effects on milk yield and composition of intra-abomasal infusions of sodium caseinate, an enzymic hydrolysate of casein or soya-protein isolate in dairy cows

Abstract

SummarySix lactating dairy cows receiving a diet of grass silage and barley were given the following treatments as infusions into the abomasum, in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square with 10 d periods: sodium caseinate (C), an enzymic hydrolysate of casein (CH) and soya-protein isolate (SPI). The C and CH treatments supplied ~ 185 g/d and the SPI treatment ~ 160 g/d of amino acids. Milk yield was similar for all treatments. Yields of milk protsein were 605, 604 and 582 (P > 0·05) g/d for C, CH and SPI respectively. For C, CH and SPI respectively, concentrations (g/kg) of fat were 39·6, 45·7 and 41·9 and yields (g/d) of fat were 790, 931 and 827; values for CH were significantly (P < 0·01) higher than for either of the other treatments. It is concluded that the form in which amino acid residues of casein are supplied to the abomasum (protein v. peptide–amino acid mixtures) can influence the partition of use of nutrients between body tissues and the mammary gland.