Researchers from Cornell University, together with colleagues from the University of Bologna, have confirmed that extreme heat causes leaky gut in cows, and have also developed a nutritional supplement that partially restores milk production. Article published in the journal Journal of Dairy Science.
Milk production of Holstein cows may decrease by 30-70% in hot weather, which is becoming increasingly common. Cows eat less due to heat stress, which is the primary reason for the decrease in milk yield. The latter was found by scientists – it turned out to be the activation of the immune system due to heat. This is preceded by perforation (hole formation) of the intestine, where the microorganisms of the cow’s intestine begin to enter the bloodstream. The necessary immune response requires a lot of energy, so the animal’s body begins to save on milk production.
Scientists have also found a remedy that helps increase the milk yield of cows by 3 liters of milk per day in the heat. The bovine gut health supplement is a blend of various organic acids and plant extracts.
The hypothesis of a decrease in milk yield in the heat due to intestinal perforation of cows appeared quite a long time ago, but the work of scientists proved this for the first time, and only three warm days were enough for such a condition to develop. .