Milk production can be improved by promoting the “glucose sparing” effect and limiting gluconeogenesis inhibition. We started with the hypothesis that lower insulin levels could lead to a change in glucose distribution, directing more towards the mammary gland and thus improving milk production.
Business Development Manager Phytogenic Bioactives
Pancosma
Glucose metabolism fuels vital functions by regulating energy supply to cells and tissues. This process in ruminants is characterized by low glucose concentrations–and low insulin response–in peripheral tissues (Bell, Bauman, 1997; Sasaki 2002). Dairy cows have an even more challenging, and extremely intensive, physiological process: they require huge amounts of glucose for milk production and have only a short transition between pregnancy and lactation.
GLUCOSE SUPPLY
In monogastric species, the main glucose supply is absorbed in the intestines from ingested food, while ruminants depend mainly on glucose produced by liver gluconeogenesis. The primary glucogenic precursor is propionate, representing over 60% of the substrates, followed by lactate, with approximately 20%, then amino acids, minor volatile fatty acids (valerate, isobutyrate) and glycerol (Drackley et al., 2001).
GLUCOSE UPTAKE: TISSUES VS. MAMMARY GLAND
In order for glucose to be effectively absorbed by cells, it needs to be carried by glucose transporter (GLUT) molecules. There are 13 different types of GLUTs, each with a specific role and operating mode. GLUT1 molecules respond to basal glucose concentration and are found in all tissues throughout the body (De Koster and Opsomer, 2013). Among the various GLUT molecules, only GLUT4 respond to insulin stimulation, facilitating glucose uptake by skeletal muscle, adipose and heart tissues. Glucose uptake in the mammary gland is a special case: it is driven essentially by GLUT1 and GLUT8, and characterized by an absence of GLUT4. In other words, here, the glucose metabolism process is not regulated by insulin. In terms of quantity, the mammary gland absorbs over 50% of available glucose and this number can climb as high as 85% when production peaks.
GLUCOSE SPARING
At the end of gestation and into early lactation, dairy cows exhibit insulin resistance. In fact, the cow’s internal processes change tack to ensure a sufficient glucose supply to the calf by directing glucose to milk production and, at the same time, limiting glucose absorption in peripheral tissue (De Koster and Opsomer, 2013). This phenomenon is known as “glucose sparing”.
GLUCONEOGENESIS INHIBITION
Gluconeogenesis is the major glucose-producing metabolic process in ruminants. This pathway is regulated by substrate availability and hormones such as insulin and glucagon. Insulin’s job is to inhibit gluconeogenesis and decrease glucose output when necessary.
SUPPLEMENTING WITH PLANT EXTRACTS TO PROMOTE MILK PRODUCTION
Milk production can be improved by promoting the “glucose sparing” effect and limiting gluconeogenesis inhibition. We started with the hypothesis that lower insulin levels could lead to a change in glucose distribution, directing more towards the mammary gland and thus improving milk production. A study was conducted to assess the effect of rumen-protected capsaicinoids (RPC) supplementation on a response to a glucose tolerance test measuring blood glucose and insulin concentration (Oh et al., 2017). Glucose concentration was not affected by RPC supplementation post glucose challenge. However, compared to the control, RPC decreased serum insulin concentration post glucose challenge. The area under the insulin concentration curve was decreased 25% by RPC (See figure 1). In this study, dry matter intake was not affected by RPC supplementation and milk yield tended to increase for RPC treatments compared to the control. Dry matter intake was not affected by RPC and feed efficiency was linearly increased by RPC supplementation. Meanwhile, no significant difference was observed on NEFA and BHB levels.
RUMEN-PROTECTED CAPSICUM AND
TRANSITION PERIOD PERFORMANCE
In 2020-2021, a trial was performed to evaluate RPC supplementation from 21 days prior to calving through 60 days in milk under commercial conditions. Overall performance was improved for cows receiving RPC with an 8.6% increase in energy-corrected milk (See figure 2 daily milk yield). Plus, increased blood glucose at 3 days post calving points to a potential change in insulin response and liver gluconeogenesis.
PROMOTING GLUCOSE SPARING AND GLUCONEOGENESIS
Overall, these results could suggest that, by decreasing the amount of insulin secreted, RPC may have redirected glucose for milk production in lactating dairy cows.
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References:
1. AW Bell AW, DE Bauman DE. Adaptations of glucose metabolism during pregnancy and lactation. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 1997;2(3):265–78.
2. JK Drackley JK, TR Overton, GN Douglas. Adaptations of glucose and long-chain fatty acid metabolism in liver of dairy cows during the periparturient period. 2001 J Dairy Sci 84:E100–12.
3. J De Koster, G Opsomer.2013. Insulin Resistance in Dairy Cows. Vet Clin Food Anim 29 (2013) 299–322
4. J. Oh, M. Harper, F. Giallongo, D. M. Bravo, E. H. Wall, and A. N. Hristov. 2107. Effects of rumen-protected Capsicum oleoresin on productivity and responses to a glucose tolerance test in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy. Sci 100: 1-14
5. S Sasaki. Mechanism of insulin action on glucose metabolism in ruminants. Anim Sci J 2002;73(6):423–33
About Sebastien Constantin
Sebastien Constantin is Business Development Manager for the Phytogenic Bioactive range. He joined Pancosma in January 2019. He holds a MSc in animal nutrition from Ecole Supérieure d’Agriculture d’Angers – France . He has 15 years of experience in the field of animal nutrition with technical support and product management functions.
