Rumen protected choline administration to transition cows : effects on milk production and plasma leptin

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of rumen-protected choline (RPC) supplementation on milk production and plasma leptin in dairy cows receiving silage based diet. 26 Friesian dairy cows were assigned by parity and average of production in the previous lactation, to one of two groups: control and treated cows receiving 20g of RPC. Treatment was administered from 14 days before calving through 30 days postpartum. DMI, milk yield, milk composition, and choline-containing phospholipids were measured. Blood plasma was analysed for leptin content. During the first month of lactation RPC administration enhanced (+10%; P<0.05) milk production. Main milk composition was unaffected by the treatment, while increased milk choline-containing phospholipids (PLCho) concentration and total secretion were increased by 59 and 50% respectively. Plasma level of leptin was improved (P<0.01) by choline supplementation. These results indicated that higher Cho availability may affect milk production by meeting the dairy cow’s methyl donor needs.