Abstract:
Objective The experimentaims to study the effects of sodium acetate supplementation on milk yield, milk composition and foal growth of lactating mares under grazing conditions, so as to provide reference for fatty acids to regulate lactation performance of lactating mares and improve foal growth and development.
Methods In this study, 12 lactating mares and 12 foals (mother-child relationship) were selected, with similar foal delivery dates, age of 5~8 years, fetal times of 2~4, average weight of (422.66 ± 37.28) kg, lactation for 30 days and average daily milking amount of (2.80 ± 0.41) kg. Under the same grazing, drinking and milking conditions, 12 mares were randomly divided into two groups, namely the control group and the experimental group (the foals were grouped together with the mares). The mares in the control group were not supplemented with any fatty acids, while the mares in the experimental group were supplemented with 82.5 mg·kg−1·BW−1 of sodium acetate every day. The experiment lasted for 90 days. The milk yield of mares was counted regularly, and milk samples were collected to determine milk components. The foal's weight and body measurements were measured every 30 days.
Results (1) Supplementing sodium acetate had no significant effect on milk yield, milk protein, lactose and non-fat solids of lactating mares during the experimental period (P > 0.05). (2) Supplementing sodium acetate on the 30th, 60th and 90th day of the experiment could significantly increase the milk fat rate, which was 51.18%, 39.17% and 58.00% higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). (3) On the 30th and 60th day of the experiment, the weight gain of foal in the experimental group was significantly increased by 44.89% compared with that in the control group (P<0.05); The average daily gain had no significant effect (P > 0.05). Chest circumference, at the 60th and 90th day of the experiment, the foals in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group, which increased by 8.48% and 8.53% respectively (P < 0.05).
Conclusion Under the experimental conditions, feeding sodium acetate to lactating mares under grazing conditions can improve their lactation performance and significantly increase the milk fat rate, promote the growth and development of foal, improve the growth of weight and bust.