Recombinant bovine somatotropin with lactating cows fed diets differing in energy density

Sixty-four Holstein cows (32 primiparous) were assigned randomly at parturition to one of two diets differing in forage:grain ratio and were further assigned to either control or treatment with recombinant bST. A full lactation study was conducted. Total mixed rations consisted of alfalfa silage, high moisture ear corn, soybean meal, and vitamin and mineral supplements. Percentages of forage in the diet (dry basis) for the high and medium energy diets were wk 1 to 12, 38.2 and 58.2; wk 13 to 26, 48.2 and 68.2; and wk 27 to 44, 68.2 and 88.2. Injection of a saline placebo or 20.6 mg/d per cow of bST started at wk 13 and stopped at wk 43 of lactation. Administration of bST increased 305-d milk yield by 19.9 and 18.3% for multiparous cows fed high and medium grain diets and by 13.0 and 5.9% for primiparous cows fed the same diets. Body weight gain during lactation tended to be lower for cows treated with bST, and body condition scores were significantly lower for those treated with bST and fed the medium energy diets. Daily injection of bST did not change concentrations of glucose or urea in blood or beta-hydroxybutyrate in plasma. Multiparous cows had a transitory increase in plasma FFA concentration immediately after bST treatment started. Milk composition, health, and reproductive parameters observed were not adversely affected by bST administration. Cows fed low energy diets during bST administration in the first lactation did not produce as much milk as controls when compared during the first 10 wk of their second lactation.