Effects of rumen-protected niacin on dry matter intake, milk production, apparent total tract digestibility, and faecal bacterial community in multiparous holstein dairy cow during the postpartum period

Abstract

Extensive studies about rumen-protected niacin (RPN) supplementation on dairy cows in early-lactation have been done, but the effects of RPN on changes in dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, feed digestibility, and fecal bacterial community were conflicting. The aim of this study was to investigate them affected by RPN in postpartum cows. Multiparous Holstein dairy cows (n = 12, parity = 3.5 ± 0.5, body weights = 740 ± 28 kg) were divided into two groups supplemented with either 0 (CON) or 20 g/d RPN (RPN). Our results showed that RPN supplementation increased DMI and milk production of cows during the first three weeks after calving (p < 0.05). The concentrations of neuropeptide Y and orexin A were significantly higher in RPN group than that in the CON group during postpartum period (p < 0.05). The apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients was similar between the CON and RPN groups at 2 weeks after calving (p > 0.05). The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that RPN had no impact on the alpha and beta diversity, although 4 genera were changed in cow feces at 14 days after calving. Overall, 20 g/d RPN added to the diet could improve DMI and milk yield up to two weeks after calving with little influence on feed digestibility.