Effect of ensiled tomato pomace on performance and antioxidant status in the peripartum dairy cow

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of partial replacing whole crop maize silage with ensiled tomato pomace (ETP) on feed intake, digestibility, milk yield and composition, antioxidant status and immune response in dairy cows. Fifty pregnant Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to 2 groups of 25 cows each, according to calving dates and body weights (BW). Animals from control group were fed total mixed ration (TMR) diet containing whole crop maize silage, while the experimental group was fed TMR diet with 10% replacement of crop maize silage with ETP silage (dry base). The measurements of blood biochemical and antioxidant, and immunity indices were carried out before calving, at calving, 7 and 14 days after it. Also 14 days after calving feed intake, digestibility, milk yield and composition were examined. It was shown that dry matter (DM) intake and digestibility increased when 10% of dietary maize silage was replaced with ETP. In animals fed experimental diet milk yield and composition were not altered, but the concentration of vitamins in milk significantly increased. Adding ETP to the diet numerically increased concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase. Improved antioxidant status and increased immunoglobulins A, G, M (IgA, IgG, IgM) before parturition were observed in experimental animals. So, it is suggested that dietary 10% replacement of maize silage with ETP had positive effect on milk vitamin contents, antioxidant and immune functions in the early lactating dairy cows.