Interpretive Summary: Effects of betaine supplementation on dry matter intake, milk characteristics, plasma non-esterified fatty acids, and β-hydroxybutyric acid in dairy cattle: a meta-analysis
By: Muhammad I Malik, Muhammad Bilal, M Z Anwar, Talal Hassan, Muhammad A Rashid, Divine Tarla, Frank R Dunshea, Long Cheng
The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the effects of dietary betaine supplementation on dairy cows’ dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition, non-esterified fatty acids, and β-hydroxybutyric acid. The results indicated that the supplementation of betaine increased dry matter intake (+0.584 kg/d/cow), energy-corrected milk (+1.36 kg/d), milk fat yield (+ 0.040 kg/d), milk protein yield (+ 0.014 kg/d), and lactose yield (+ 0.055 kg/d). β-Hydroxybutyric acid and plasma non-esterified fatty acids were not influenced by betaine supplementation in dairy cattle.
Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.
