Author(s)

Mónica Duque Quintero, Martha Olivera-Angel^*

Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Antioquia, Biogenesis Research Group, Medellin, Colombia.

The experiment was designed to determine the effect of protected lysine (Lys) and methionine (Met) supply on milk protein profile in grazing dairy cows specifically in the caseins (CNs) and α-lactalbumin fractions. Twelve multiparous mid lactation Holstein cows producing 24 (±4.76) kg of milk were assigned to one of two treatments (six cows per treatment) during an experimental period of 21 days. In the control (C) group, cows grazed a Pennisetum clandestinum pasture and were supplemented with a commercial concentrate according to milk production. In the Met-Lys treatment, cows received the same ration supplemented with protected Lys and Met. Milk yield and composition and milk protein profile were measured at the start and the end (21^st day) of the experimental period. The Tricine-SDS-PAGE and the Gel-Quant Express Analysis (Invitrogen) software were used to determine milk protein composition. Statistical analysis was performed using the SAS’s PROC MIXED procedure through a mixed model that included the animal as a random effect and the treatments as a fixed effect adjusted by covariables. Milk production averaged 23.7 (±2.0) kg cow^-1 day^-1 without differences between treatments (P < 0.96). Yield of fat corrected milk (4% FCM) tended (P < 0.10) to increase in the Met-Lys treatment (26.0 kg cow^-1 day^-1) compared to C (24.2 kg cow^-1 day^-1). Milk protein content (g/kg) did not differ (C = 30.4; Met-Lys = 31.1) and lactose content tended (P < 0.08) to be higher in the Met-Lys (47.4) group compared to C (45.9). Milk protein content (g/kg) of αS1-CN resulted higher (P < 0.046) in Met-Lys (10.58) compared to C (9.44). Concentration of β-CN also increased (P < 0.05) after protected aminoacid supply (C = 9.58; Met-Lys = 10.35). It can be concluded that milk protein composition was improved by protected Lys-Met supply without altering other compositional parameters of milk composition. Milk nutritional quality and its potential yield for cheese-making were positively enhanced.

Grazing Dairy Cows, Protected Amino Acids, Milk Proteins

Quintero, M. and Olivera-Angel, M. (2019) Feeding Protected Lysine and Methionine Modifies Milk Protein Profile in Grazing Dairy Cows. Agricultural Sciences, 10, 214-226. doi: 10.4236/as.2019.102018.