ORIGINAL

Efficacy of clinoptilolite supplementation on milk yield and somatic cell count

La eficacia de la suplementación con clinoptilolita sobre la producción de leche y el recuento de células somáticas

Deniz Alic Ural, Ph.D.

Adnan Menderes University, Bozdogan Vocational School, Campus of Rasim Mentese, 09760, Bozdogan, Aydin, Turquía.

*Correspondence: alicdeniz@gmail.com

Received: November 2013; Accepted: March 2014.

ABSTRACT

Objective. To determine the efficiency of clinoptilolite supplements on milk production and somatic cell count (SCC). Materials and methods. 80 Holstein-Friesian cows were used, between 2 and 4 years of age ad between their first and third lactation. Two groups made up of 40 animals were constituted, and one of the following treatments were assigned randomly: Control group (n=40) with a basal diet, and experimental group (Clinoptilolite; n=40) with a basal diet + 3% (p/p) of clinoptilolite. The basal diet consisted of corn, hay, sunflower flour, barley grains, wheat bran and soy flour. The experiment lasted 16 weeks (February to June 2013) and began 4 weeks before the expected delivery date. 2560 milk samples were taken (morning and evening), and the farm was visited twice a week. Results. The mean values for the control group and the clinoptilolite group were 30.63±0.851 and 33.66±0.756, respectively. Milk prouction for the clinoptilolite group was higher than that of the control group (p<0.01). SCC for the control and clinoptilolite groups was 5.06±0.045 and 4.79±0.011, respectively (p<0.01). Conclusions. Supplementing with 3% (p/p) clinoptilolite in dairy cows increases milk production and decreases somatic cell count.

Key words: Diet, feeding, milk yield, zeolita (Source: CAB).

RESUMEN

Objetivo. Determinar la eficacia de la suplementación con clinoptilolita sobre la producción de leche y recuento de células somáticas (RCS). Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 80 vacas Holstein-Friesian, entre 2 y 4 años de edad y entre la primera y tercera lactancia. Se conformaron dos grupos de 40 animales y al azar se les asignó uno de los siguientes tratamientos: Grupo control (n=40) con dieta basal y un grupo experimental (Clinoptilolita; n=40) con dieta basal + 3% (p/p) de clinoptilolita. La dieta basal consistió de maíz, heno, harina de girasol, granos de cebada, salvado de trigo y harina de soja. El experimento se llevó a cabo en 16 semanas (febrero a junio de 2013) y se inició 4 semanas de la fecha esperada del parto. Se tomaron 2.560 muestras de ordeño de leche (mañana y tarde), las visitas a la granja fueron realizadas dos veces por semana. Resultados. Los valores medios para el grupo control y el grupo clinoptilolita fueron 30.63±0.851 y 33.66±0.756, respectivamente. La producción de leche para el grupo clinoptilolita fue mayor que en el grupo control (p<0.01). El RCS para los grupo control y clinoptilolita fue de 5.06±0.045 y 4.79±0.011, respectivamente (p<0.01). Conclusiones. La suplementación de 3% (p/p) de clinoptilolita en la dieta de vacas lecheras incrementa la producción de leche y disminuye el recuento de células somáticas.

Palabras clave: Alimentación, dieta, rendimiento lechero, zeolita, (Fuente: CAB).

INTRODUCTION

The quality of milk yield possess importance in the dairy industry and milk quality as milk yield of dairy cattle is majorly impressed by diet (1). Recently, the natural zeolite, clinoptilolite has a widespread area of usage as feed additive in dairy rations (1-3). Clinoptilolite is a crystalline hydrated alluminosilicates (4) including a chemical elements as the vast majority [alkaline (Na, K, Rb, Cs) and earth alkaline (Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba](5-9). Clinoptilolite is very substantial because of causing increase in feed efficienciency and milk production on dairy cattle, besides it may reduce mastitis problems (10). There is scarcity and spatially defined information relevant to dietary addition of clinoptilolite on milk yield. Besides, according to the present author's knowledge detailed data is lacking for the efficacy of clinoptilolite on SCC.

The present author's interest to this subject was aroused following the evaluation and interpretation of a prior original research, involving clinoptilolite supplementation to diet for increasing milk yield (11). According to the positive results of the latter study, the increasing demands of the dairy farmers request for dietary improvement for milk yield and given the results of prior researches evaluating the effect of different levels of supplemental zeolite, it was hypothesized that clinoptilolite would be effective for improving milk yield. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to asses the efficacy of dietary clinoptilolite addition on milk yield and besides somatic cell count.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Site of the study and animals. This study was carried out using clinically healthy 80 head Holstein-Friesian cows between 1^st and 3^rd lactation, 2-4 years old in a private dairy farm in Aydin province, Turkey. The animals were enrolled into two groups.

Assigment of treatments. Group 1: Control Group comprised of 40 cows. They were fed basal diet (Table 1).

Group 2: Clinoptilolit group involved 40 cows. They were fed basal diet +3% clinoptilolite.

Clinoptilolite material. Natural Clinoptilolite was assured from Gordes Zeolit Mining, Izmir, Turkey. The NH₄ ion exchange capacity of clinoptilolite material was 1.7-2.1 meq/g and its chemical composition is SiO₂ 67.11 % (w/v), Al₂O₃ 11.84% (w/v), Fe₂O₃ 1.47% (w/v), MgO 1.15% (w/v), CaO 2.18% (w/v), Na₂O 0.38% (w/v), K₂O 3.44% (w/v) and LOI (Loss on ignition) 12.5%.

Experimental design. The experiment was carried out for 16 weeks, from 2013 February to 2013 June. The experiment was started 4 weeks before expected day of parturition. Each cow in control and clinoptilolite groups were fed 30 kg corn silage, 3 kg molasses and 3 kg concentrates per day until parturition. Through lactation each cow received 35 kg corn silage in conjunction with 3 kg molasses and 400 g concentrates per liter of milk production. The feeding was twice a day 09:00 and 16:00 in barn. The ingredients composition of basal diet was shown in table 1.

Somatic cell count (SCC) analysis. Farm was visited biweekly and approximately about 2560 milk samples (morning and evening milking samples) were collected. The milk samples from each cow were withdrawn from each teat into tubes among both the morning and evening milking. Morning milking was stored in a cooler box and then was immediately transferred to the laboratory and milk samples were analyzed within the same day. Evening milk samples were kept in a refrigerator and analyzed the next day immediately. All samples were treated according to the directions given previously (12) and Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products (13). SCC in the samples was determined by direct microscopic SCC method (14). Milk samples were spread on 2 microscope slide areas, within 5×20 mm² in size. Slides were prepared according to Direct Microscopic Somatic Cell Count and were kept at 37°C in an incubator. Then, milk samples on slides were stained by use of methylene blue. The dye solution was prepared comprising 0.6 g of certified methylene blue chloride to 54 mL of 96% (v/v) ethyl alcohol, 40 mL of tolien and 6 mL glacial acetic acid. The counting was fulfilled in 20 fields under a 100x immersion objective in each slide, followed by average calculation. The multiplication of the microscope factor with the latter average values was corresponded to SCC in per mL of milk.

Statistical analysis. Statistical analysis was performed by use SPSS 17.0 for Windows (15). The repeated measures analysis approach was analyzed by using ANOVA procedure with mixed linear models was used for statistical analysis of data. The significance of the differences between groups was compared by Duncan's multiple range test (16).

RESULTS

The results relevant to SCC and milk production were shown in table 2.

The mean values of control and clinoptilolite group for daily milk production were found as 30.63±0.851 and 33.66±0.756, respectively. The daily milk production in clinoptilolite group was higher than control group. The difference between groups in milk yield was found statistically significant (p<0.01).

DISCUSSION

The overall means of control and clinoptilolite group for SCC were found as 5.06±0.045 and 4.79±0.011, respectively. The control group SCC was found lower than clinoptilolite group. The difference between groups for SCC was found statistically significant (p<0.01).

The results of prior studies may help for the interpretation of the available data obtained in the present study. Dschaak et al (2) reported that there was no difference among 3 treatment groups (control, control +1.4% sodium bicarbonate and control + 1.4% zeolite). Similarly, 6% (w/v) zeolite added to the concentrate diet to the lactating Brown Swiss cattle did not result in significant difference regarding milk yield (17). In another trial in Italy, 200 g/day clinoptilolite addition to 32 lactating Holstein cows did not affect milk yield (5).

In this study, the effect of clinoptilolite addition on milk production was observed and statistically significant difference was detected between the groups. Similarly, Dyachenko and Lysenko (18) recorded that addition of type A/B zeolite to Russian diet resulted in increased milk production. Furthermore, additive sodium zeolite into corn silage with varying ranges as 0.5% (w/v) (19), 2% (w/v) (20) and as 4% (w/v) (21) caused increased milk yield. Ilić et al (1) described that milk yield was increased by supplementation of 4% (w/v) and 2% (w/v) zeolite. A novel original study performed by the present author also suggested that 2% (w/v) clinoptilolite supplementation for 120 days significantly (p<0.01) affected milk yield (11). The results obtained from the present study and aforementioned researchers suggested that clinoptilolite supplementation may have positive influence on milk yield.

In a prior study in Holstein cows with spontaneous mastitis, the effects of natural mixture involving zeolite powder on the somatic cell count was investigated with 3 different experimental models. Neither experiment I (stevia liquid) nor II (astaxanthin mixed feed), did not have any effect on reducing the linear score or bacteria count of the mastitis cows. However Experiment III revealed that zeolite powder reduced the milk somatic cell count (22). In another trial determining the effect of long-term dietary clinoptilolite supplementation on performance and selected serum biochemical values in dairy goats, concentrated feed along of with 2.5% (w/v) clinoptilolite improved milk fat percentage, without adverse effects on the serum variables evaluated. Besides the reduction of SCC achieved with clinoptilolite supplementation suggested improved milk hygiene (23).

In the present study SCC was found significantly lower (p<0.01) in clinoptilolite group (4.79±0.011) in contrast to the control group (5.06±0.045). On the contrary, the difference between clinoptilolite and control group was found non-significant for SCC by Bosi et al (5).

Taking regard this experimental study, milk yield and somatic cell count were positive affected statistically significant in dairy cows that was fed clinoptilolite supplementation with 3% (w/v). Finally, both elevation of milk yield and reduction of SCC were provided in dairy cow that was fed with 3% (w/v) clinoptilolite supplementation. Furthermore, other management practices must be applied with at most care accompanying to clinoptilolite supplementation of diets for dairy farms.

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