Supplementation with difructose anhydride III promotes passive calcium absorption in the small intestine immediately after calving in dairy cows

Effects on mineral status and milking performance of feeding difructose anhydride to transition cows

The objective of this study was to assess the potential effect of difructose anhydride III (DFAIII) on calcemia, magnesemia, and milking performance of dairy cows. Sixty-six multiparous Holstein cows in late pregnancy (gestation days = 253.8 ± 2.13 d) were blocked according to their expected calving date and randomly assigned to either receiving no supplementation (Control) or receiving 40 g/d of DFAIII (DFA) between -14 and +7 d relative to calving following a complete randomized block design. Cows on Control received 640 g/d of a pellet containing no DFAIII, whereas DFA cows received the same pellet but containing 6.25%DFAIII. Pellets of each treatment were top-dressed on a daily basis while cows were dry, and were fed via an automatic feeding system twice daily (320 g each feeding) during milking. Dry cows were fed once a day, whereas lactating cows were fed twice daily. Dry matter intake was individually monitored on a daily basis. Cows were milked twice daily and milk production and milk protein and fat contents recorded at every milking. Cows were kept on the study until they reached 21 d postpartum. Cows were weighed at dry-off (about 45 d before study enrolment) and twice daily after calving at the exit of the milking parlor. Three days before the expected calving date and 6, 12, 24, 48 h and 7 and 14 d after calving cows were blood sampled for subsequent determination of serum Ca and Mg concentrations. There were no differences in DMI before calving, but DFA cows consumed more feed than Control cows about 15 DIM. All cows lost BW after calving but DFA cows lost slightly less BW during the first 5 DIM than Control cows. Cows on DFAIII produced more milk around 10 DIM compared with Control cows, and DFAIII cows produced more milk protein than Control cows after 3 d post-calving. Serum Ca concentrations were not affected by DFAIII supplementation; however, serum Mg concentrations at 6, 12, and 24 h after calving were greater in DFA than in Control cows. In conclusion, DFAIII did not affect postpartum calcemia but improved magnesemia between 6 and 24 h post-calving. Milk production in DFA cows was improved around 10 d post-calving and milk protein yield after 3 d postpartum compared with Control cows. The mechanism leading to increased Mg availability is not clear and warrants further research.

Measurement of serum short-chain fatty acid concentrations in cattle after oral administration of difructose anhydride III

Background and Aim

We previously reported the mitigation effects of difructose anhydride III (DFA III) on mycotoxins, such as zearalenon and sterigmatocystin, based on the urinary concentrations of these molecules in calves. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of dietary supplementation of DFA III and the fermented status of DFA III in the intestine by comparing serum levels of short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) in DFA III-supplemented cattle with those in non-supplemented control cattle.

Materials and Methods

Serum SCFA concentrations were measured in 30 Japanese Black heifers, aged 9-10 months, from two herds, using gas chromatography on days 0 (before DFA III supplementation), 9, and 14 after DFA III supplementation.

Results

A notably different trend was observed for isobutyric acid and enanthic acid, which may reflect the different fermentation status of supplementary DFA III in the intestine. Our results indicate the possibility that this trend observed in the intestinal tract following DFA III administration is associated with changes in the environment of intestinal bacterial flora, which may partially reflect the effects of DFA III supplementation on cattle.

Conclusion

Difructose anhydride III supplementation for at least 2 weeks affects the trend of blood SCFA concentrations in cattle. Our results provide evidence supporting the effects of DFA III on the intestinal environment and intestinal barrier function.

Mitigation of sterigmatocystin exposure in cattle by difructose anhydride III feed supplementation and detection of urinary sterigmatocystin and serum amyloid A concentrations

We evaluated the effects of supplementing cattle feed with difructose anhydride III (DFA III) by measuring urinary sterigmatocystin (STC) concentrations using 20 Japanese Black cattle aged 9–10 months from one herd. DFA III was supplemented for 2 weeks for 10 animals, and non-treated animals served as controls. The natural STC concentration in the dietary feed was 0.06 mgkg-1 (mixture of roughage and concentrate) at the beginning of the study (Day 0). The urine STC concentration was measured using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry 1 d prior to DFA III administration, 9 and 14 d thereafter, and 9 d following supplementation cessation, concomitant with the measurement of serum amyloid A (SAA). The number of heifers in which STC was detected in the urine was low (10 %) in the DFA III group compared to that (60 %) in the control group on Day 9. After 9 d following supplementation cessation (Day 23), STC concentrations were significantly lower (P=0.032) in the DFA III group than in the control group, although there was no difference in the number of heifers in which urinary STC was detected or in SAA concentrations between the two groups. Our findings demonstrate the effect of DFA III on reducing the urinary concentration of STC in Japanese Black cattle.

Difructose anhydride III: a 50-year perspective on its production and physiological functions

Production and applications of difructose anhydride III (DFA-III) have attracted considerable attention because of its versatile physiological functions. Recently, large-scale production of DFA-III has been continuously explored, which opens a horizon for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. This review updates recent advances involving DFA-III, including: biosynthetic strategies, purification, and large-scale production of DFA-III; physiological functions of DFA-III and related mechanisms; DFA-III safety evaluations; present applications in food systems, existing problems, and further research prospects. Currently, enzymatic synthesis of DFA-III has been conducted both industrially and in academic research. Two biosynthetic strategies for DFA-III production are summarized: single- and double enzyme-mediated. DFA-III purification is achieved via yeast fermentation. Enzyme membrane bioreactors have been applied to meet the large-scale production demands for DFA-III. In addition, the primary physiological functions of DFA-III and their underlying mechanisms have been proposed. However, current applications of DFA-III are limited. Further research regarding DFA-III should focus on commercial production and purification, comprehensive study of physiological properties, extensive investigation of large-scale human experiments, and expansion of industrial applications. It is worthy to dig deep into potential application and commercial value of DFA-III.

Effect of parity number on the dry matter intake of dairy cows during the first week after calving

We investigated the effect of parity number on the dry matter intake (DMI) of cows during the first week after calving. Eighty-three cows were evaluated from 14 days before to 7 days after calving. DMI and milk yield were measured for 7 days after calving, and the calving score was measured. Blood samples were collected throughout the experiment. The average DMI during the first week after calving was reduced in the first-lactation heifers and high-parity number cows. A quadratic relationship between the parity number and the DMI was observed. The first-lactation heifers had lower prepartum serum total protein (TP) concentration and milk yield, higher prepartum serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration and calving score than the multiparous cows. The recovery rate of serum calcium (Ca) after calving was slow in the cows in the parity 6. The DMI was positively affected by the serum Ca concentration after calving, milk yield, and prepartum serum TP concentration and was negatively affected by the calving score and prepartum serum NEFA concentration. We conclude that the DMI immediately after calving tends to be lower in first-lactation heifers and high-parity number cows, but factors that reduce the DMI differ according to parity number.

Effect of dietary difructose anhydride III supplementation on bone mineral density and calcium metabolism in late-lactation dairy cows

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of 28 days of dietary difructose anhydride (DFA) III supplementation on calcium (Ca) metabolism in late-lactation dairy cows. Twenty-four multiparous pregnant Holstein cows were divided into two groups. The DFA group was fed total mixed ration (TMR) supplemented with 40 g of DFA III, and the control group was fed TMR only. The replenishment of bone Ca reserves was evaluated by measuring bone mineral density (BMD) and blood biochemical bone markers. Serum Ca concentrations, urinary Ca-to-creatinine (Cre) (Ca/Cre) ratios, and milk Ca concentrations were also analyzed. The BMD of the 4th caudal vertebra in the DFA group was higher than in the control group on day 28. With respect to bone markers, the ratios of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) to osteocalcin (OC) in the DFA group were significantly lower than those in the control group on days 21 and 28. Milk Ca concentrations in the DFA group were also higher than those in the control group on days 14, 21, and 28, whereas serum Ca concentrations and urinary Ca/Cre ratios were unchanged in both groups. These results suggest that dietary supplementation with DFA III increased BMD and decreased serum ucOC/OC ratios in late-lactation dairy cows; this indicates that the replenishment of bone Ca reserves may be enhanced by dietary DFA III supplementation.

Fructo-Oligosaccharide (DFA III) Feed Supplementation for Mitigation of Mycotoxin Exposure in Cattle-Clinical Evaluation by a Urinary Zearalenone Monitoring System

The potential effect of difructose anhydride III (DFA III) supplementation in cattle feed was evaluated using a previously developed urinary-zearalenone (ZEN) monitoring system. Japanese Black cattle from two beef herds aged 9⁻10 months were used. DFA III was supplemented for two weeks. ZEN concentrations in feed were similar in both herds (0.27 and 0.22 mg/kg in roughage and concentrates, respectively), and below the maximum allowance in Japan. ZEN, α-zearalenol (α-ZOL), and β-ZOL concentrations in urine were measured using LC/MS/MS the day before DFA III administration, 9 and 14 days thereafter, and 9 days after supplementation ceased. Significant differences in ZEN, α-ZOL, β-ZOL, and total ZEN were recorded on different sampling dates. The concentration of inorganic phosphate in DFA III-supplemented animals was significantly higher than in controls on day 23 (8.4 vs. 7.7 mg/dL), suggesting a possible role of DFA III in tight junction of intestinal epithelial cells. This is the first evidence that DFA III reduces mycotoxin levels reaching the systemic circulation and excreted in urine. This preventive effect may involve an improved tight-junction-dependent intestinal barrier function. Additionally, our practical approach confirmed that monitoring of urinary mycotoxin is useful for evaluating the effects of dietary supplements to prevent mycotoxin adsorption.