The blood-milk barrier (BMB) forms at parturition when the gland switches form a non-lactating state to one of copious milk production and becomes leaky again when milk removal ceases and mammary involution is initiated. In this review the importance of the BMB in milk production and, in particular, its hormonal regulation is explored. Tight junctions (TJ) between adjacent mammary epithelial cells form a barrier to the two-directional paracellular movement of small molecules between the blood and milk and are responsible for establishing and maintaining the BMB. They form part of the cell's junctional complex and consist of transmembrane proteins that are linked to the mammary cell's cytoskeleton. This means that when, during lactation, TJ become “leaky” the resulting perturbation of the cytoskeleton interferes with the cell's secretory function. As such, TJ are involved in regulating and maintaining milk production. Mammary TJ are under hormonal control, with progesterone, glucocorticoids, prolactin, parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) and serotonin (5-HT) being the key hormones. Progesterone prevents closure of TJ and the immediate prepartum drop in its concentration is a prerequisite for TJ closure. A simultaneous increase in the levels of glucocorticoids and prolactin is necessary for full TJ closure and initiation and maintenance of lactation. Both PTHrP and 5-HT are important hormones in maintaining extracellular calcium concentrations, a requirement for maintaining TJ integrity. Whereas PTHrP reduces TJ permeability, necessary for establishing and maintaining milk production, 5-HT has an opening effect on TJ. The latter may help speed up mammary involution and facilitate the movement of immune factors into the gland, preventing intramammary infections. In summary, mammary TJ make up the BMB and play a role in establishing and maintaining milk production and are under hormonal control, with progesterone, glucocorticoids, PTHrP and 5-HT being key regulatory hormones and prolactin likely playing a supporting role.

Blockchain, an emerging technology exhibiting swift growth, significantly bolsters transparency within a given supply chain, enabling secure traceability, backtracking, and info tracing. Blockchain technology holds substantial promise for the dairy sector, offering enhancements unnecessary market intermediaries, thereby broadening access to credit and insurance for farmers, particularly in developing economies Such advancements could lead to more sustainable, efficient, and resilient livestock practices. However, the technology faces challenges, including the need for sophisticated infrastructure, cross-platform software, and skilled personnel with advanced expertise. Divergence in technological capabilities between developed and developing nations may hinder trade and exacerbate disparities. Regulatory barriers could also restrict blockchain's application. Thus, it is imperative to enhance blockchain knowledge among trade authorities and policymakers to facilitate its broader adoption. The objective of this review is to discuss principles of blockchain and proposed future work pathways for its use in the dairy industry.

This Research Paper addresses the hypothesis that wastewater characteristics in the dairy industry vary with product type and operational procedures, and that current treatment methods face limitations in managing such variability. The study examined raw and clean-in-place (CIP) wastewater from a Serbian dairy plant over three years. Physico-chemical and microbiological analyses included pH, protein, fat, carbohydrates, total solids, total microorganisms, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and dissolved oxygen (O2).Dairy plants produced 0.2–10 L wastewater per litre of milk. Protein content ranged 0.07–0.31 g/100 ml, fat 0.01–0.19 g/100 ml, and carbohydrates up to 1.37%. Total solids were 0.13–2.95%. pH varied from 4.41 to 12.76, affected by lactic fermentation and cleaning agents. COD values (529–12,476 mg/l) indicated strong organic loads. Microbiological counts were highly variable, with E. coli up to 103 cfu/ml and total microorganisms up to 1 × 108 cfu/ml. Nitrogen ranged 36–104 mg/l and phosphorus reached 10.91 mg/l, sometimes exceeding limits. Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 61.86% of variance, driven by N, pH, P, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, and oxygen content. Seasonal patterns were identified: higher TSS during spring and summer, and increased microbial loads, COD, and oxygen fluctuations in autumn and winter. The findings demonstrate that dairy wastewater is complex and variable, requiring adaptive treatment strategies. Optimised management, including pH control, nutrient removal, and combined biological and advanced technologies, can improve treatment efficiency, support reuse, and mitigate environmental impact.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the kinetics of local and systemic immune cell populations in mammary secretions and blood samples from cows free of intramammary infections (IMI) and chronically infected with Staphylococcus aureus during active involution. Cows in late lactation that were either uninfected or with chronic S. aureus IMI were included in this study. The percentages of CD14+ cells in blood samples were significantly higher in S. aureus-infected animals than in uninfected animals at days 7 and 21 post-drying-off. However, the percentages of these cells in the mammary secretions from S. aureus-infected quarters were significantly lower compared with those of the uninfected quarters in all evaluated periods. The percentages of CD4+ cells were similar between uninfected animals and S. aureus-infected animals at all involution times in both blood and mammary secretion samples. The percentages of CD8+ cells decreased significantly in mammary secretions of S. aureus-infected quarters compared with those of the uninfected quarters at all involution stages. The percentages of CD21+ cells decreased in blood samples of S. aureus-infected animals compared with uninfected animals at day 21. In secretion samples, the percentages of CD21+ cells decreased in S. aureus-infected quarters at day 7 compared with those of the uninfected quarters. In conclusion, chronic S. aureus IMI induces a significant increase in the number of CD14+ cells in the blood circulation; however, these cells do not appear to migrate to the mammary secretion being potentially retained in the tissue. Although CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes did not vary between S. aureus-infected and uninfected animals throughout involution, the decrease in CD8+ cells in mammary secretion from S. aureus-infected animals suggests that these cells are retained in the mammary tissue, fulfilling their specific functions to eliminate intracellularly infected cells. The low number of CD21+ lymphocytes in mammary secretions of infected animals would reduce the humoral defence potential of the gland.

We assessed the feeding behavior, intake, apparent total tract digestibility, blood parameters, milk yield, milk composition and milk fatty acid profile in dairy goats fed diets containing increasing levels of whole cottonseed (WCS), specifically a control diet with no WCS and diets containing 120, 150 and 180 g WCS/kg DM. Eight lactating dairy goats were distributed in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four 21-day periods. Rumination and total chewing time increased linearly with WCS inclusion levels. However, no effects on dry matter intake or digestibility were observed. Milk production was similar among treatments, but milk fat and lactose concentration increased linearly with WCS dietary levels, as did monounsaturated and polyunsaturated FA and conjugated linoleic acid concentration in milk fat. This study demonstrates that increasing the inclusion of WCS in the diets of dairy goats offers potential nutritional benefits without negatively impacting intake, digestibility or ruminal fermentation. Notably, WCS-enhanced diets led to improved milk fat composition, with increased concentrations of beneficial FA. These results support the use of WCS as an effective feed ingredient to enhance milk quality in dairy goats, leveraging both the high-energy content and fiber structure of WCS, which promotes rumen health and function without reducing DMI. Dairy goat producers can incorporate up to 180 g WCS/kg DM in diets to produce milk with a healthier fat profile, potentially enhancing its marketability.

The aim of this review is to quantify the strength of evidence for the efficacy of exogenous enzymes (EE) in dairy calf rearing, by systematically identifying, consolidating and discussing existing research on the subject. This review identified 17 articles that measured the effect of EE alone or in combination with another treatment on indicator variables for calf performance, behaviour, health or environmental output; 15 studies realised a positive effect of enzyme supplementation on at least one variable, and one study realised a negative effect of treatment on body parameters. Inconsistent results were noted for effects of EE on growth and feed efficiency. Studies that combined EE with another treatment, did not tend to find performance improvements compared to stand-alone treatments. However, several studies were underpowered which could have limited their ability to detect effects on primary response variables. All papers that measured digestibility found an increase in fibre digestibility from enzyme treatment; however, this did not always result in improved feed efficiency or growth. Reductions in non-nutritive oral behaviour, increased resting time and rumination, were observed in studies measuring calf behaviour, as were enhanced rumen development and reduced cost of calf rearing; suggesting that EE could enhance calf health and welfare, whilst having additional advantages for rearing economics. Future research into the efficacy of EE in dairy calves is worth pursuing. However, a targeted and evidence-based approach to experimental design is required, with due consideration given to enzyme actions and interactions, as well as robust power analysis for sample size.

The effect of different levels of residue from the extraction of cassava starch (REAM) in the diet of multiparous lactating Holstein cows was investigated. The experiment was carried out at the Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná. Five multiparous Holstein cows, with mean milk production of 30.65 ± 1.17 kg/day were distributed into five treatments, using Latin squares (5 × 5). Treatments consisted of inclusion (0, 8, 16, 24 and 32% dry matter basis) of REAM in the diet. Intake, digestibility, milk production and composition as well as blood parameters were measured. Except for ether extract and total digestible nutrients, the intake variables did not differ significantly between treatments. Except for the digestibility of crude protein, all digestibility values decreased progressively with inclusion levels of REAM. The inclusion of REAM in feeding of lactating Holstein cows up to 32% of the diet reduced milk production by 15%, however, it did not alter milk production efficiency, fat, total solids and blood parameters. We conclude that up to 16% of REAM can be included in the diet; however, higher levels may lead to a significant fall in productivity.

The productivity of dairy animals is heavily reliant on the timely access to sufficient, high-quality fodder. This study analyzes the ex-post impact of Model Fodder Villages on the livelihood security of dairy farmers in Bundelkhand region of central India. The study used cross-sectional data from 437 farmers and employed the inverse-propensity-weighting regression adjustment (IPWRA) method for impact evaluation and verified the robustness of the results through matching methods. The findings show that dairy farmers in model fodder villages are 14–19% more likely to improve habitat security, 19–21% more likely to enhance economic security, and 13–16% more likely to increase food security. Our findings also indicate that factors such as age, education, household size, dependency ratio, off-farm income, adult cattle units, and access to roads, markets, credit, and training play significant roles in adopting improved fodder practices. The study's methodology provides a reliable approach to evaluating the impact of interventions that improve access to fodder and related resources, aiming to enhance the livelihoods of dairy farmers and agricultural communities.

This research article aimed to evaluate the effect of a commercial nutraceutical additive in milk replacer on the health and weight gain of dairy calves during the pre-weaning phase. A total of 126 female Holstein calves were randomly assigned to two groups: a treatment group (TRT, n = 63) receiving a commercial nutraceutical additive in the milk replacer, and a control group (CON, n = 63) receiving only the milk replacer. Health assessments included clinical diagnosis, Wisconsin scores and lung ultrasonography to assess the incidence and severity of respiratory and enteric diseases, as well as the average daily gain (ADG). The TRT group showed a reduction in the number of antibiotic treatments for respiratory diseases compared to the CON group. However, calves in the TRT group exhibited greater lung consolidation scores at 75 days of age and lower odds of recovery from pulmonary lesions. No differences were observed between groups in ADG and weaning weight. Additionally, the use of the product did not reduce the incidence or severity of diarrhoea. In fact, calves in the TRT group experienced the first episode of diarrhoea earlier than those in the CON group. These findings indicate that the nutraceutical additive did not contribute to improved enteric or respiratory health. Under real farm conditions, the use of the applied nutraceutical does not consistently lead to beneficial or additive effects across health parameters. These results underscore the importance of context-specific evaluation, as well as the consideration that formulation and environmental factors can significantly influence the outcomes of such interventions.

This study was undertaken to investigate the molecular detection of biofilm-producing Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) from goat mastitis. An overall 384 milk samples were initially screened for subclinical mastitis (SCM) followed by molecular characterization of S. aureus isolates. The biofilm formation was assessed using Congo Red agar (CRA), a microtiter plate and the presence of the icaA gene. The results revealed a molecular prevalence of 53.24% (115/216) for pathogenic S. aureus in milk samples of goats. The phenotypic prevalence of biofilm production by CRA and microtitre methods was recorded to be 38.26% (44/115) and 26.96% (31/115) respectively, while the molecularly confirmed biofilm-forming S. aureus through polymerase chain reaction targeting icaA gene was 58.26% (67/115). The phylogenetic analysis of icaA gene revealed high identity between sequences of study isolates and the isolates of other neighbouring countries. The antibiogram profiling of pathogenic S. aureus showed increased resistance to cefoxitin and oxytetracycline followed by gentamicin. Out of 115, 45.22% (52/115) were declared as multiple drug resistant with multiple antibiotic resistance index greater than 0.2. The study concluded that biofilm-producing S. aureus strains are considered to be a common cause of SCM in dairy goats of Pakistan and biofilm formation is associated with multidrug resistance of study isolates.

This Research Paper addresses the hypothesis that the dietary inclusion of an Aspergillus niger fermentation product will alter the degradation kinetics and rumen fermentation patterns of feeds in dairy cattle. Fungal fermentation products often contain a suite of bioactive compounds and secondary metabolites, which can influence the microbial environment in the rumen and act as digestibility enhancers. As the cattle sector is under increasing pressure to enhance its sustainability, the investigation of dietary interventions that could improve the efficiency of production is warranted. In a previous experiment, Synergen®, a product of the solid-state fermentation of Aspergillus niger (ANP) containing residual enzyme activities, significantly increased the in vitro digestibility of a grass silage-based dairy total mixed ration (TMR), suggesting that in vivo studies would be valuable. Hence the present study aimed to quantify the effects of this ANP on rumen fermentation measures in cattle. Using a 4 × 4 Latin square design, the effect of four doses of ANP (0, 5, 10, 15 g/day) in four cannulated Jersey heifers was measured on the in sacco degradation of dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre in steam-flaked barley, grass silage and a grass silage-based TMR formulated for dairy cattle. Treatments had no significant effect on the rate, or extent, of degradation of any component in any feed investigated. Rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations and proportions, and rumen pH, were quantified at seven timepoints during each 48-h sampling period and were unaffected by treatment, as was the apparent total tract digestibility of DM. Under the conditions of this trial, ANP did not influence rumen fermentation kinetics; indicating that supplementing mature, non-lactating Jersey cattle with this fungal fermentation product is not an advantageous strategy to enhance feed digestibility.

The Murciano-Granadina goat breed was imported from Spain to the southern region of Iran to enhance production efficiency in the native and nomadic goat flocks of the region, primarily maintained under a low-input, low-output production system. In this study, the genetic and phenotypic aspects of milk production traits in the Murciano-Granadina goat breed were investigated using data collected from a private dairy farm in Ghale-Ganj city, located in southern Kerman province, Iran, between 2017 and 2024. Data on 76,874 test-day lactation records of milk yield (MY), fat yield (FY), protein yield (PY) and somatic cell count from 7,196 first-parity Murciano-Granadina does were used. The investigated traits were total MY, total FY, total PY, average fat-to-protein ratio (FPR) and average somatic cell score (SCS), all calculated based on a 275-day lactation period. A multivariate animal model was used to estimate the genetic and phenotypic parameters of the investigated traits. The heritability estimates for MY, FY, PY, FPR and SCS were 0.15, 0.06, 0.09, 0.10 and 0.26, respectively. The estimates of genetic correlations among the studied traits ranged from –0.38 for FY-FPR to 0.91 for FY-PY, while the phenotypic correlations ranged from –0.05 for MY-FPR to 0.90 for PY-FY. Genetic correlations between SCS and MY, FY and PY were low estimates of 0.16, 0.19 and 0.08, respectively. The corresponding phenotypic correlations were low estimates of 0.03 (MY-SCS), 0.05 (FY-SCS) and 0.06 (PY-SCS). Genetic and phenotypic correlation estimates among MY, FY and PY were positive and medium to high, with the corresponding genetic correlations generally higher than the phenotypic ones. These low heritability estimates for all the studied traits, except for SCS, suggest that non-additive genetic and environmental effects play a more significant role in the performance of the Murciano-Granadina goat. The high positive genetic correlation estimates between MY, FY and PY suggest that selection for higher MY should also increase in both FY and PY.

This experiment assessed the effects of adding hemp (seeds or hay) and stevia by-products to dairy cow diets on milk yield and on the fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of the milk. Additional analyses included composition, total phenolic content and total antioxidant capacity of milk samples as well as blood serum parameters. Thirty-five Holstein dairy cows were involved for 60 days, divided into five groups: control, hemp seed, hemp hay, stevia and a combination of hemp seeds and stevia leaves. No significant changes were observed in milk yield or composition. While monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content did not differ significantly between control and experimental diets, milk from cows fed hemp seeds had higher MUFA compared to those fed hemp hay. Further research is recommended to determine the optimal proportion of these by-products in cow diets.