Milk protein response to abomasal or mesenteric vein essential amino acid infusion in lactating dairy cows

Previous experiments performed at our location suggested that the milk protein response to infusions of mixed essential amino acids (EAA) was greater when these were supplied via intravenous rather than abomasal or duodenal routes. However, as far as we are aware there have been no direct comparisons of the milk protein response to site of EAA provision in the same animals. Our objective was to directly compare the milk protein responses when cows were given mixtures of EAA provided via abomasal or mesenteric vein infusions. Four multiparous, ruminally cannulated, multicatheterized Holstein x Friesian cows averaging 18 wk postpartum were fed dehydrated alfalfa, grass silage, and low protein (11.9% CP, DM basis) concentrates at 30, 20, and 50%, respectively, of dry matter (DM) offered. Total mixed rations (14% crude protein, DM basis) were fed daily as 3 equal meals at 8-h intervals and 95% of ad libitum DM intake. The experimental design was a single reversal with two 10-d infusion periods separated by a 10-d rest period. Each infusion period consisted of 4-d control infusions into the mesenteric vein (saline at 2 ml/min) and abomasum (water at 9 L/d) followed by 6-d infusion of a mixture of EAA equal to 400 g of milk protein/d into the abomasum or mesenteric vein. Control infusions continued into the site not receiving EAA. Intake of DM (20.3 kg/d), milk yield (28.9 kg/d), and milk fat concentration (41.2 g/kg) were not affected by EAA infusions. Milk protein concentration (33.4 vs 34.6 g/kg) and output (938 vs. 982 g/d) were increased and milk lactose concentration was decreased (46.6 vs. 46.1 g/kg) by EAA, but the responses were not affected by infusion site. Recovery of EAA as increased milk protein output (10.9%) was similar for intravascular and abomasally infused EAA in these cows, but these responses were low compared with published effects of postruminal casein infusion.