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Effect of Niacin Supplementation on Milk Production and Ketosis of Dairy Cattle^1,2,

Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506

ABSTRACT

In two experiments with Holstein cows effects of dietary supplementation of niacin to periparturient cattle on subsequent milk production and ketosis were examined. In Experiment 1, 20 cows were assigned to two groups. The treatment group received niacin at 6 g per head per day for 2 wk prepartum and 12 g per head per day for 4 wk postpartum. The control group received no niacin. In Experiment 2, 40 cows were assigned to four groups of 10 cows. One group served as the control and the other three received 3, 6, or 12 g niacin per head per day for 10 wk postpartum.

In both experiments niacin-supplemented groups produced slightly more milk than controls. There were no consistent changes of milk composition with treatment. Glucose concentration in blood serum was higher for cows receiving niacin. Concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acids in blood and plasma were generally lower for niacin-supplemented groups. Niacin supplementation had no effect on feed intake or body weight changes. In Experiment 1 there was a significant reduction of niacin concentration in red blood cells of postpartum cows not receiving supplemental niacin. Insulin concentration in blood serum in Experiment 2 was unaffected by niacin supplementation.

¹ Contribution 83-75-J, Ruminant Nutrition Group, Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and Department of Statistics, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan 66506.

² Supported in part by a grant from Lonza, Inc., Fairlawn, NJ.

³ The senior author wishes to dedicate this manuscript to the memory of Erle E. Bartley, who passed away on February 10, 1983.

⁴ Department of Animal Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506.